[MooGroc]

I've been reviewing prices at boat yards in mid-coast Maine and am surprised how expensive it is. It seems odd that they charge by sq foot, not just length. But what is most surprising is that it seems at least 50% more expensive than New Jersey.

Any idea why? Any idea if there are yards that allow owner work on boats?

 

[Don L]

because they all are, so they can

 

[Minnewaska]

I've got to believe that the rates are pretty variable up there. What are you seeing?

Land storage by the square foot actually makes sense to me. They will literally pack them in on top of each other, so your beam takes up more space if larger. In your slip, you take up the same usable space regardless of beam, unless you're a cat or encroach on the next slip.

DIY yards are disappearing, but can usually be found somewhere. Some probably need the work, so they only want clients willing to hire them. However, I bet environmental issues has equally shut as many down. The marina is probably responsible to police and contain dust, chemicals, etc and subject to the fine, if you don't.

 

[TomMaine]

I've been reviewing prices at boat yards in mid-coast Maine and am surprised how expensive it is. It seems odd that they charge by sq foot, not just length. But what is most surprising is that it seems at least 50% more expensive than New Jersey.

Any idea why? Any idea if there are yards that allow owner work on boats?

It is widely variable in my area(Penobscot Bay). I pay $11/ lin.ft for my 38'er. But I'm in a limited spot owned by the town(waiting list).

In our storage area, the problem on footage came with the first multi hull. It was adjusted to 2, 40' monos.

This area is so reliant on hydraulic trailers that carry boats away from harbors due to little dry storage on the harbors, that you can find a whole range of pricing inland. Indoors, outdoors, the only limit is the mileage added to get there.

Still, it's generally less $ to store your boat inland than on or near the water, in this area of the coast.

 

[34crealock]

Midcoast marine in Winterport is the best value around.They allow you to leave the mast up and They allow you to do all your own work. Belmont boat works in Belmont( just outside Belfast harbor) allows you to do your own work also.

 

[MooGroc]

I've got to believe that the rates are pretty variable up there. What are you seeing?

I'm seeing about $2700 in Maine vs. about $1500 in central NJ for a 36' sailboat.

Land storage by the square foot actually makes sense to me. They will literally pack them in on top of each other, so your beam takes up more space if larger. In your slip, you take up the same usable space regardless of beam, unless you're a cat or encroach on the next slip.
.

This doesn't make sense to me (except for cats). Here in NJ it's done by length. In Maine it's seems to be done by sq. ft, but it's hard to imagine space is more at a premium in Maine than in NJ (relatively close to NYC).

I do like the suggestion of the OP to consider having it trucked somewhere.

 

[Maine Sail]

Keep in mind that most yards around Casco Bay include haul, store and launch into the Sq foot price and some include pressure washing.. I see many yards down South who menu item haul, storage, wash and spring launch so you really need to compare apples to apples.

Our yards up here, due to location and waterfront geography, can only pack in so many boats and that tends to help dictate storage costs.

There are very few yards in Maine I know of that don't allow you to do your own work...

My last pricing from Maine Yacht Center in Portland shows a 36' X 11' boat including HAUL, PRESSURE WASH, STORAGE and LAUNCH coming in at $1584.00 plus stands at $20.00 ea for the winter, if you don't have your own.

Be sure you compare apples to apples because MYC for example includes pressure washing where some yards don't. Do all the yards in NJ include haul & launch in the storage rate?

I have no problem being charged by Sq foot as my boat takes up that much of their yard as unusable / non billable space... Actually it takes up more as they usually leave about 18" - 2' on either side....

 

[MooGroc]

Keep in mind that most yards around Casco Bay include haul, store and launch into the Sq foot price. I see many yards down South who menu item haul, storage & spring launch so you really need to compare apples to apples.

Our yards up here due to location and waterfront geography can only pack in so many boats and that tends to help dictate storage costs.

There are very few yards in Maine I know of that don't allow you to do your own work...

I'm definitely keeping the haul, washdown, stands, etc in mind when comparing prices.

I understand waterfront property is expensive, but I guessed it would be much more expensive close to NYC vs. Maine.

Very glad to hear most yards allow owner work. I don't mind if yards have rules about bottom cleaning and painting, but I'm not interested in yards that try to make it difficult for owners to do work because they want the work. Nothing wrong with that if they are up front about it, just not what I'm interested in.

 

[Minnewaska]

We are $4.25 per sqft, which includes haul, launch, pressure washing and stands and we're pretty far from NYC. However, supply and demand has little to do with how close to a major metro area you are in. I don't know the beam of your boat, but would think that would be in the $1,600 range for you. Our marina is not known to be inexpensive, even in the Bay, so I would agree that the $2,700 figure you received seems pretty high.

I think the biggest advantage to Maine is access to quality, reasonably priced workmanship. Well, that and outstanding sailing grounds.

 

[Ward H]

Just for comparison, the Barnegat Bay NJ marina I am in charges $795 for mast up winter storage. Includes cradle, haul, power wash and launch. 25' O'day.
I thought that was pretty reasonable. Not sure if the price is by length or square foot.

 

[Sabreman]

I'm seeing about $2700 in Maine vs. about $1500 in central NJ for a 36' sailboat.

Yikes. I'm staying in VA. We paid $931 for haul, pressure wash, spring launch, and a tank of diesel for mid-Nov to May storage in the ultimate DIY yard.

 

[BobS2]

Oh yes, the closer to NYC the higher the price. Try to rationalize $62\ft! Got stuck with a winter storage after purchase last year. Brutal compared to the upper Chesapeake.

 

[fallard]

The cost for my 35' sailboat this winter in Mystic, CT,is $1655, with the mast up. That includes haul, pressure wash, storage with stands, and launch. They also allow DIY.

 

[travlin-easy]

Bend over and get ready - here it comes! Don't you just love being screwed because the boat yard owners feel you are a wealthy boat owner and will pay anything they demand? Get out the KY for boaters.

Gary

 

[fallard]

Don't know if it is simply greed. Boatyards in our area are in the high rent district. If they don't make enough on boat activities, they are in danger of being replaced with waterfront condo development. Don't forget that they are subject to regulations that are costly, like recovering the gray water from pressure washing, and highly restrictive rules on maintenance dredging. The compliance costs are not only in specialized infrastructure, but also in the paperwork for permits. The paperwork alone can be very expensive when engineering studies are required, which is often the case.

I know our yard had to construct a temporary spoils storage area just to dredge their travelift slip. They are also in line for a copay (with other nearby marinas) when the state dredges their access channel this fall.

Bottom line: I don't think my storage charges are out of line and I certainly don't think my marina is out to screw us.

 

[hydrodog]

If you want to go all the way up the coast .... Moose Island Marina .... very reasonable for on the hard storage. Good people .... can do most of your own work.... paying less than 150 per month for 60' vessel

 

[Dharmabum]

I've found Maine storage and mooring to be much less than anything in Rhode Island