Don’t slip-up when storing your boat

Terrance Phillips

Purchasing a new boat is similar to owning a cigar store Indian, a

10-foot mounted marlin or acquiring a giant moose head. Once you have one

-- where on earth (or water) are you going to put it?

I once owned a 320-pound Blue Marlin. It was more than 10-feet long from

nose to tail and mounted in an arched shape. During the years, it

collected dust in the garage because that was the only room it would fit

in.

We’ve all heard the term, “I made a slip-up,” however, when it comes to

buying a boat no truer words could be spoken, that is if you fail to

secure a slip prior to laying down those many dead Presidents.

Slips around Newport Beach that might be considered reasonably priced,

can only be found in the women’s department at the Ross Department Store

on 17th Street.

When seeking a boat slip, there are no “irregulars” or discounts in this

neck of the woods! The Irvine Co. and Dunes Marina own thousands of slips

in our harbor. The larger slips that accommodate boats in excess of

40-feet, are difficult to find and considerably more expensive per foot

than finding a place to dock a Duffy-18.

As you may or may not be aware, either the length of the boat or the

length of the slip, whichever is greater, determines the cost of the slip

rental. Pricing can range between $10- to more than $24 per-foot.

Therefore, owning a 28-foot boat will run $371 per month in a $13.25

per-foot slip that are available at the Dunes Marina.

Keep in mind, in addition, you have insurance premiums, possibly a boat

payment and the never ending expense of maintenance to deal with. This

docking/storing phenomenon extends to trailerable boats as well.

Owning a small ski or fishing boat can be just as expensive to store on

land. If it won’t fit in your garage or backyard, where are you going to

put it, next to that old refrigerator on your front lawn? Whether it’s a

boat, old Cadillac or refrigerator, I don’t think the community would

appreciate that as local/Las Vegas resident Sid Soffer will attest.

Storing a small boat in Costa Mesa can run more than $200 per month in

dry storage and if you store it at an outside storage yard to save money,

there are other issues that can turn your dream boat into a potential

nightmare.

As a suggestion, if you’re about to purchase a boat, buy one from a local

boat broker or dealer, one that lives in our area. Someone that will

assist in the securing of a slip, as a condition of the sale. This can

oftentimes circumvent potential problems associated with buying a boat

from brokers outside our harbor area.

So, as you cruise the LA boat show, this weekend, with a pocket full of

bucks to burn, be sure to establish the obvious prior to purchase. Tell

that salesperson, “No dock -- no dough -- no go.”

SPLISH SPLASH:

* The Irvine Co. boat slip rental department can be reached by calling

(949) 723-7780.

* The Dunes Marina (has 25- to 28-foot slips available now) phone number

is (949) 729-3863.