Trailer or Marina Berth?

[Claytondj]

Hi all - picking up my used 5.6m Eagle Osprey next week. Bought her last October - been having steering upgraded to hydraulic, gear cables replaced and all electrical wiring replaced. She comes with a trailer but it's not in the best condition and will probably need a lot of work or replacing.

My BIG decisions is whether I invest in a trailer - or rent a berth at a marina.

Marina berth will cost around £2k per year - safe - but secure. safe and with facilities - but she's in the water all the time.

Trailer likely to cost over £2k at least - then there's the cost of towing, etc. I live near Manchester so any trip to the cost is going to be an hour and half run at least.

If I go down the marina route it will probably be one of the sheltered marinas in North Wales - about 90 minutes drive from me.

Is there an obvious/easy answer to this dilemma?

Regards,

Dave

[RickW]

Any drystack near you ?

[Claytondj]

Originally Posted by RickW

Any drystack near you ?

Probably at the marine - but won't this be costly?

[Orwell boy]

Versa dock may be a good option in the marina ,better than antifoul ,unless its been antifouled already ,then imo the harm is already done so leaving on mooring would be your best choice .My years of expierience say 1st option trailer while i am fit enough ,then versa dock in marina when unable to launch myself ,then pack up boating (sorry no drystack in my neck of the woods )

[GuyC]

Could you leave the boat on a trailer at the marina?

Versadock is a good option.

Drystack is expensive but it is hassle and worry free and I think promotes using your boat more than you would with other methods.

[Claytondj]

All good points thanks guys.
I’m visiting my 2 candidate marinas next week so will explore options with them both.

[Maximus]

Trailer for me every time.....Just love the Choice and options it provides
A lot depends on you're disposition and you're appetite for adventure and plenty are satisfied with patrolling the same areas...which in fairness can be good in the right areas
....But unless you are a real dullard, a time will come when you will do want to see over that Horizon!...and stretch yourself ..and your legs!
This amazing relatively small Island of ours encompasses so much utterly diverse and spectacular Coastline and destinations its truly mind blowing ....and those willing to make the effort will be richly rewarded.
A lot of seasons we Cruised in many areas..such as The South West..Lundy Island... Solent ..Scillie Isles ...West Coast of Scotland...North Wales ...Irland...and the odd Chanel Crossing

There's a great big World out there....and one thing is indisputable.. it won't come to you
..those dry stack fees pay for a lot of Petrol.

[Fender]

Originally Posted by Claytondj

All good points thanks guys.
I’m visiting my 2 candidate marinas next week so will explore options with them both.

Marina or dry stack 100%

We've done both over many years and every time the boat is on a trailer you use it less - its the hassle factor!
Hop in the car, hit the coast, park up, step onto your craft, spark her up and let the lines go - worth every penny Its more expensive but we've have so much more time on the water, I'd never by choice go back to a trailer

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Fender

Marina or dry stack 100%

We've done both over many years and every time the boat is on a trailer you use it less - its the hassle factor!
Hop in the car, hit the coast, park up, step onto your craft, spark her up and let the lines go - worth every penny Its more expensive but we've have so much more time on the water, I'd never by choice go back to a trailer

Like most things in this precious thing we call Life ....It is a personal choice and what you want and need ...for some it's a case of the more you put in the more you get out!
But as long as you're Happy that's all that matters

I do sometimes launch from Big Marina's too
One thing about traveling to more remote off the beaten track places that cannot be overrated ...is the lack of Boating Traffic and People

[lakelandterrier]

I've never regretted putting mine in a marina on a Tetra-dock.

It saves either towing from home or local storage facility every time, is not reliant on tides for launching / recovery with the time and faff of hooking up. launching, parking the trailer, going back to the boat before getting away, and the work in getting the trailer, recovering, strapping down, tow to storage, washing down trailer etc...every time of going out.

On the dock it's arrive, remove cover, unstrap from dock, warm engine and go - c.20 mins from parking. On return the same. Tidy up whilst engine is flushing, secure to dock, cover on, go home.

Different people have different wants / needs: the dock at marina works well for me, and I use the boat far more.

[lakelandterrier]

I'd add, keeping boat on dock at marina does not prevent you from trailing to a new area to explore, but if geography limits your launching or you want to boat mainly in one area, I think it's worth the cost.

Also less to go wrong and avoids something happening to the trailer when you are planning a precious day on the water - failed bearing, seized brakes, lighting board fault etc...

[jakew009]

Unless you enjoy self flagellation, put it in a marina if at all possible. You will use it 10x more and it will be 10x less hassle.

I have a 7.5m rib on a trailer, grew up on a farm, have a hgv license, can do all my own trailer servicing... and it's still a giant pain in the ass.

The biggest hassle is finding somewhere to park the trailer for the day, closely followed by dealing with other road users, closely followed by dealing with all the other twits trying to use the slipway, closely followed by dealing with the tides.

I cannot wait to have a boat in a marina that I can just rock up to and use. Preferably in a sunny climate.

[beerbelly]

is there no yacht clubs fishermans clubs often have storage too near your chosen area .i keep mine on a trailer in the local yacht club compound ( £190 a year ) all the washing off facility's and electric included theres changing rooms and showers ect .and a bar .launch from the clubs private slipway most states of tide . and i can still drag it off to scotland a couple of times a year as its trailered.. also an osprey eagle sits with the rear of the tubes in the water while moored so you may need to antifoul the bottom of the tubes too if you go that route

[SW Boat Transport]

I have done both over the years and they both have pluses and minuses. Marina berths are more convenient and make it quicker to get out on the water. Keeping in a trailer is cheaper, reduces chance of damage to boat, makes maintenance easier, doesn’t require anti foul and opens up new cruising grounds. I would be tempted by a dry stack if budget allows.

[lakelandterrier]

Have you made a decision yet? If so what did you go for?
How's the new boat?

[Claytondj]

Originally Posted by lakelandterrier

Have you made a decision yet? If so what did you go for?
How's the new boat?

Hi there - and thanks for interest.

Weighing up the pros and cons (and costs) I've elected to put the RIB in there water at a berth on Conwy Marina. I intend to lift her out after 3 months for a clean off - and after 6 months can store her in the yard (allowing further cleaning opportunity).

My aim with the RIB is to get a many hours practical experience on the water as I can - and this is more likely if I can just turn up, fire her up and set off (without the faff of launching, finding somewhere safe to leave the car and trailer and then recovering and transporting her afterwards.

I'm sure others will have views that support and/or dispute my wisdom.

Regards,

Dave

[lakelandterrier]

Nothing wrong with that decision - try it for a season see how it goes