THE HARBOR COLUMN:Recreational boats need affordable slips

Ahoy.

The Los Angeles Times printed an article last Sunday on its front page titled “Feeling the Big Squeeze” that seems to put a whole new spin on the ongoing use of slips. The story relates that larger boats and mega-yachts are growing in numbers. Further, it said the larger boats are pushing out the smaller, under-40-foot vessels from marinas. You know that I have to respond to this article, as I am on the frontline promoting safe, recreational boating.

Simply put, this is not the case, and I have been writing for years that the trend in boating is toward the larger, family-style boat that can accommodate everyone for a weekend. Many families are now buying a yacht in lieu of buying a vacation cabin in the mountains, and I have to mention again that a national survey reported that boating and fishing are the most popular family activity. So it makes sense that boating popularity is growing, and the boating resources are behind the trend.

There is a long wait ? it can be years ? for a bigger slip while the smaller slips are more available. Unfortunately, the slip fees, like home prices rent and hotel room costs, are drastically increasing. This is causing some boaters to break their piggy banks. The increase in slip fees is directly proportional to the increase of the on-water property prices, not the increase sale of mega-yachts. Where in Newport Harbor can you find a piece of property with a slip that is less than $1 million or $2 million? Now $5 million is common. Let’s not forget that the condo-ization of harbors across the nation is decreasing public slips.

So what slip fee would you charge if you owned that property while paying the mortgage payments, property tax, insurance, slip maintenance and operational costs? Economics plus supply and demand are in play, and this is true with any industry run by private enterprise trying to make a buck.

Most boats less than 27 feet can be trailered, while larger boats are water locked. Many of the marinas were built years ago, when the design specifications favored 20-foot boats, and as marinas are redesigned, the design specifications are adjusted to accommodate the yachts actually being purchased by the recreational boaters.

This is where the local and state governments can help by providing slips for recreational boats at reasonable prices. There are funds available to help cities build marinas from the California Department of Boating and Waterways through grants and low-interest loans. Marinapark is an excellent location that can accommodate new slips for the family boaters. Yes, we do have some magnificent yachts in Newport. But if one looked at all the 9,000-plus boats in Newport, you would find the mega-yachts as the minority.

Yes, vessels are becoming posh, especially in the interior, because women are the ultimate decision-makers when purchasing a family’s floating vacation home. I have stated in the past that the yachts are becoming condos on the water, and the designers know whom to cater to when designing the interior. I, as a professional yacht captain, am very pleased for the change from wooden plank seating and a pungent fishy aroma to plush electronic-controlled seating with air-conditioning zones and full galleys.

Chris Herman, of Bayport Yachts, mentioned in the Times story that his clients want luxury, and this is true just as you want luxury in your new car and your home. I have to say for the record that I know Herman and Bayport Yachts, and this yacht brokerage caters to families and affluent clientele with the Carver and Marquis motor yachts. However, boating is not just for the rich, as the majority of boaters are the working class.

I’m out of room, but I have more to say, so stay tuned. Also, let me know what you think of boat sizes increasing in a way similar to the increasing home sizes.

Remember to tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation every Saturday at noon. “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” is on KCBQ-AM (1170) and can be heard online at www.boathouseradio.com.

Safe voyages.