Winnisquam on Winnipesaukee/Channel Marina Costs

[thinkxingu]

There's a post on the "I boat" Facebook page about a $1000 increase in valet costs for the upcoming season. Anyone know if Winnisquam raised prices across the board and what their customers' responses are? One of my concerns with there being fewer marina owners across the lake is just this.

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[joey2665]

This was bound to happen. Less competition =higher prices. I posted this when the purchase was announced


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[BroadHopper]

Is the real factor here. During the last recession there were plenty of open slips available and marinas hold the prices steady up to today. Now there are waiting lists and marinas are expanding valet storage as well as increasing their prices to pay for their storage. Land and building prices are at a premium.
Because of Shoreline protection and local zoning, adding slips or even a new marina is pretty much impossible. Slips designed for the old narrow boats that are not designed for the latest pontoon boats also make things difficult.

Sign of the times.

[8gv]

But... is the rumor true?

[noreast]

Yes, supply and demand but of course less competition = higher prices, There are less fighting for the same $. But form everything I've heard about Winnisquam I'm still glad they bought it and are on the lake.

[Nauset]

I stopped in to Channel Marine a few weeks before the sale to inquire about valet for the 2018 season and was quoted a ballpark price of around $2500 for my 24' boat. I also put my name on the waiting list. Understandably that quote was not in stone and with the upcoming sale it is anyone's guess. If the price does go up by $1000 for valet I will have to reassess that decision.

[codeman671]

Slips in general all around have gone up. If you don't pay it someone else will. A friend had their slip go up $1200 this year, up to $4500. I used to pay $2300 for the same spot years ago before I released it.

[joey2665]

My slip also increased this season by 25%. A hefty increase


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[codeman671]

Channel will be completely transformed into one of, if not the best run facility on the lake. They are putting tons of money and effort into the place. I always feel well taken care of when dealing with Winnisquam.

Those upgrades do cost money, and the market is up in general so prices will rise. I don't feel this is a situation of gouging.

[Descant]

I wonder if, like other landlord tenant relationships, storage fees are negotiable? Can you get a 5% discount for a three year lease? Can you get a 5% discount if you prepay for the same period of time? The market probably isn't right for this now, but it certainly was eight years ago. That will happen again. Of course, if you go condo, your costs are fixed for the foreseeable future (taxes excluded, maybe condo fees, but you get to vote on those changes).

[Patofnaud]

I don't have my 2017 contract handy, it did go up slightly, but not by cited $1000 (that I would have raised an eyebrow at).

As other said, some uptick is to be expected as the new owners are actually using that money to increase condition of the place. The docks needed a lot of work, the buildings need a lot of work.

[Biggd]

Just a question about dock rentals. A buddy of mine has his boat docked in Mystic Conn. on the ocean of course. He has to let the marina know when he's leaving and when he's returning because in his lease agreement they can rent out his space while he's gone and he gets nothing from it. Do any of the marinas on the lake have this policy?
I couldn't believe it when he told me this. Talk about double dipping!:eek:

[Major]

I don't have my 2017 contract handy, it did go up slightly, but not by cited $1000 (that I would have raised an eyebrow at).

As other said, some uptick is to be expected as the new owners are actually using that money to increase condition of the place. The docks needed a lot of work, the buildings need a lot of work.

Last year, new customers were enticed to valet through Channel Marine for a rate of $2,000. My contract was for that rate. We understood that the rate would go to $2,500 in 2018. After the sale to WOW, they reevaluated the $2,500 rate, and increased it to $3,000. Thus, explaining the $1,000 difference.

We called a number of local marinas, and ended up staying with WOW. All of them, except for Meredith Marina, were around $3,000 for the valet service portion of the service. Meredith Marina was about $2,400, but we were uncomfortable with the parking and the sort of chaotic look of the boat yard. Also, our boat would have been stored outside, whereas it's stored inside at WOW.

[Descant]

Inside is a huge plus..

[TiltonBB]

Valet has always been a less expensive alternative to renting a slip but it also offers less opportunity to use your boat. If you are someone who would enjoy hanging around on your boat at the dock, or spending the night on it, buying a slip is the only alternative that gives you a guaranteed place for your boat every year as well as some control over the long term cost.

As more real estate in the Lakes Region is developed there will be more demand for boat slips or rack storage. Obviously, the draw to the area is the lake and most homeowners will want access to it.

We know what the supply/demand thing does to the price and that may cause many people who have not been able to lock up something long term to have to get out of boating. It looks like the area population will continue to rise as the number of boat slips and valet spots remains relatively stagnant.

[codeman671]

WOW did away wih a large number of slips to be able
to increase and cater to the valets, providing a better service. Meredith Marina is a crap show on the weekends!

[Major]

WOW did away wih a large number of slips to be able
to increase and cater to the valets, providing a better service. Meredith Marina is a crap show on the weekends!



Yes. Boats that have been there since I was a kid - over 40 years. Now gone.


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[Hillcountry]

Just called WOW (toon is in winter storage there now) to find out what the 2018 season rate is and was quoted the same $3000 figure. We feel the overall location and marina layout is a huge improvement over Meredith Marina (where we were last year) and are excited to be more centrally located on the lake.
Glad to hear they’re catering more to valet too. The lady I spoke with (Julie) also said we would be able to use the valet service because we were storing there...she also said they were not taking on any new valet customers.
Glad we moved there at last season’s end!

[Old Sarge]

$$WOW$$ :eek: and have to deal with the channel traffic, (Never mind driving into the Weirs), no thanks!

[Hillcountry]

$$WOW$$ :eek: and have to deal with the channel traffic, (Never mind driving into the Weirs), no thanks!

Channel traffic has never been a problem with me...kinda like being in a parade for 5 minutes...
As far as the wiers...bike week will be a beatch but that’s one week out of many and the sights should be interesting!
As far as cost, well BOAT means BUST OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND!

[VitaBene]

I am happy to report that Melvin Village Marine held their rates post-purchase for Ambrose Cove.

[Old Sarge]

The Problem with $WOW$ charging three-thousand for valet is that it will encourage, cheaper and frankly better facilities like MVYC to raise their rates which are around $850 a year less (24' Boat). They have only had some $100.00 a year increases and no increases this year.

I am glad you have a place you like Hillcountry. There are waiting lists everywhere so I guess we are all at the mercy of the market forces. I was told by one of the Irwin Brothers that they could sell a lot more boats if they only had more slips and rack slots available. I like docking in the Governor's Island area a lot! Even if it is choppy or windy it is a quick shot to get into some shelter in between the islands! Just got to watch out for the Witches! :)

[Biggd]

Channel traffic has never been a problem with me...kinda like being in a parade for 5 minutes...
As far as the wiers...bike week will be a beatch but that’s one week out of many and the sights should be interesting!
As far as cost, well BOAT means BUST OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND!I hate traffic anywhere, even on my boat. I come to the lakes region to get away from traffic but lately that hasn't been the case. With the improving economy the traffic has been worse than ever. :(

[joey2665]

I hate traffic anywhere, even on my boat. I come to the lakes region to get away from traffic but lately that hasn't been the case. With the improving economy the traffic has been worse than ever. :(

Last season I moved my boat from SD/LB to Akwa Vista. It is so much more enjoyable not to have to deal with the "conga line" now I only go into Paugus Bay when I want to (Obviously when there is no traffic") :)

[Biggd]

Last season I moved my boat from SD/LB to Akwa Vista. It is so much more enjoyable not to have to deal with the "conga line" now I only go into Paugus Bay when I want to (Obviously when there is no traffic") :)My wife and I are getting close to retirement. I can't wait, we will be able to travel at off peak times and if I want to put my boat or jet ski in Winni I will do it during the week and stay away from weekend traffic.

[Old Sarge]

My wife is a school teacher so we have weekdays off in the summer-it is a whole different lake during the week! :cool:

[joey2665]

My wife and I are getting close to retirement. I can't wait, we will be able to travel at off peak times and if I want to put my boat or jet ski in Winni I will do it during the week and stay away from weekend traffic.

That's a great plan. I love the lake during the week.

[thinkxingu]

My wife is a school teacher so we have weekdays off in the summer-it is a whole different lake during the week! :cool:This summer will be my last teaching summer school (after 13 years). I'm very much looking forward to having the summer off with my wife, who is also a teacher. 🤞

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[thinkxingu]

I am happy to report that Melvin Village Marine held their rates post-purchase for Ambrose Cove.Good news. I wonder how many people were priced out of Channel/WOW this year. That'd be the real disappointment.

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[Biggd]

This summer will be my last teaching summer school (after 13 years). I'm very much looking forward to having the summer off with my wife, who is also a teacher. 🤞

Sent from my Moto G (5S) Plus using TapatalkMy wife's company just offered a "golden parachute" which she is going to accept. She's 63 and they are giving her two years free health care and two years pay in her pension to retire this year. It's a no brainer, it will cover both of us to Medicare. I'm 64 and have my own business so I'm going to try and work two more years.

[thinkxingu]

My wife's company just offered a "golden parachute" which she is going to accept. She's 63 and they are giving her two years free health care and two years pay in her pension to retire this year. It's a no brainer, it will cover both of us to Medicare. I'm 64 and have my own business so I'm going to try and work two more years.Sounds like a great opportunity. Godspeed, friend!

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[Biggd]

Thank you. I'm still trying to convince my wife to move to our lake house permanently.
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[Old Sarge]

This summer will be my last teaching summer school (after 13 years). I'm very much looking forward to having the summer off with my wife, who is also a teacher. ��


Too bad you have to do it this summer! At this point I don't want to give up any Summers, might not have many left! My wife always wants to do seminars and curriculum planning things during the Summer. I always discourage her if I can. She just turned 60 and wants to teach until she is 70! I just reply "Well see"!!!

[thinkxingu]

Too bad you have to do it this summer! At this point I don't want to give up any Summers, might not have many left! My wife always wants to do seminars and curriculum planning things during the Summer. I always discourage her if I can. She just turned 60 and wants to teach until she is 70! I just reply "Well see"!!!I don't think a scale exists to measure just how much I'd like to bail on this summer, but the (financial) reality is that I need one more. I've tutored, organized and taught remediation programs, taught night school, and run a summer school program these last 13 years. All of these have been to balance out the first decade's wages and student loans, new home, and new family expenses. We're getting there!

Now, in the interested of full disclosure: my summer school program runs from 9-12 and consists of academically motivated students on a (majestic) private school campus. I'm up late and out by lunch, sooo... (Still keeps me away from the lake!)

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[Hillcountry]

My wife and I are getting close to retirement. I can't wait, we will be able to travel at off peak times and if I want to put my boat or jet ski in Winni I will do it during the week and stay away from weekend traffic.

Bingo! That's when we do most of our boating too...the weekdays are golden! (we are retired)