After six months of restoring and a year of trailer sailing, I've taken the plunge and rented a (modest) slip on the Pamlico River, near Washington NC (as the sign on the water tower says, "The Original Washington" - much older than that other one farther north). Bella is happily bobbing like a duck in her natural element. Looking pretty classy next to "Naughty by Nature" too. We're looking forward to this adventure. It's farther from home, but on the other hand when we arrive we can go sailing instead of sweating up that damn mast. And the Pamlico is such a beautiful sailing area - big enough to have steady wind but small enough to not have big seas. Lots of pretty towns within day sailing distance - Washington, Bath, Belhaven. Okracoke Island is a long day's sail across the Pamlico Sound. This is prime sailing season here in NC. The brutal heat is finally gone, the wind is up, the trees are turning, and the risk of really cold weather is still months away.
(http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h411/wnewman/2f8f1200d43a62b475d601b605067c3e.jpg)
She looks wonderful in her element.
I sure do hate the cost of a slip, but I do love showing up and being on the water in a mater of minutes. Enjoy the luxury!
I'm paying $100/month which includes electricity and water. Pretty sure that's less than what I was spending on gas when I was trailering every weekend. In our part of the country, marinas have a lot of vacancies so prices are very attractive. I think this is a combination of the depressed economy, older sailors aging out and not being replaced by new ones, and lots of boats lost to hurricane damage whose owners opted not to to repair or replace. It's a buyer's market.
Wes
Wes,
Way to go. At $100 a month I'd give a slip serious consideration also. Enjoy, and have fun.
capt_nemo
P.S. Bella is one fine look'in sailboat!
Wes:
The boat is really a looker! Great job. If it were warmer up here in the winter, I'd do the same thing. I think my marina's pricing would be similair.
Bob23
great pic.. great price, and one of the really good aspects is that it looks like you have plenty of room between you and your neighbor! i was spoiled last year because no one was in the slip next to me.. this summer i got a slip mate who bumped into me at midnight as he was attempting to dock.. i hope that was the only time that he did that! enjoy your extended sailing season.. jt
jthacher,
Bumped into you at midnight!
All the more reason to employ what I call the "Charlotte County Ramp Dock Fender" while in your slip. Made it as a result of barnacle damage to topsides at low tides.
Here it is!
(http://i1125.photobucket.com/albums/l594/CPYOA/com-pac%20sun%20cat%20pics/IMG_0241_zps9a373080.jpg)
capt_nemo
...all the more reason I like being on a mooring:
(http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/tt260/Bob23_photo/LaborDay2011.jpg)
bob23