Cruising Sailors Forum Archive

the original blue collar plan

Our club is very attractive to anyone in our area that is into boating for the long term. As I said earlier, we have no paid help. The members built the club, installed the new docks, maintain the facility and facilitate haul out and launch. It is a requirement that all members put in a minimum of 20 hours of work time each calendar year or pay $40 per hour for anything less than 20. There are a few members that find it is easier to pay because of their jobs but for the most part everyone does their part to keep the place ship-shape. I enjoy working around boats so for me putting in 30-50 hours a season is no problem, I have some 100 hour seasons on the books. Members receive points for the time worked which goes towards bidding on slips. Once you have the slip you want the points are more for bragging rights. It is a very popular destination for other boaters from Canada, New York and Ohio who come to stay, enjoy the pool and other activities scheduled at both our club and on the bayfront. We are a very social club with at least one event scheduled monthly through the entire year. We are walking distance to an amphitheater where bands are scheduled every week through most of the summer, you can also sit on your boat and enjoy the music.

All of that said, the real draw comes down to money. Our slip fees are $25 per foot, club dues are currently $500 per year which equates to $1500 a year for our floating 40' dock which includes water, 50amp shore power service, free wifi, pool, hot tub, BBQ's, picnic shelters, fall haul out, spring launch and free winter storage. I say "in it for the long run" because there is a $4000 initiation fee but that can be offset in about 3 years if you compare our fees to other clubs and marinas. Pretty cheap for a summer cottage.

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