Re: Slip vs. Trailering
I know this is a thread that was drug up from the dead, but since w'ere at it...
I live where boating is 365 days a year. Many folks around here trailer, and the state (FL) has made many accommodations for the boating public, so there are ramps everywhere.
When we bought our first boat, I had never trailered/launched a boat, as I grew up in MY where my dad (and later I) kept them wetslipped for the season. I knew the hassle of trailering would keep us from going out too much, so we went with a hi 'n dry first. $80/month. Couldn't argue with that. We used the boat 3-6 days a week. I doubt we would have used it that much if we trailered. I see so many nautical lawn ornaments around here, it's almost ridiculous.
We moved up in boat size, and the rate would have tripled. Not happening. We found someone who was renting their dock on the waterfront (ICW) home, for $100/month. Ok, we're in.
I am literally on the boat daily. We have 24 hours access, much like a wetslip or trailer, and we do use it at all hours. Some nights we're sitting at home, and decide 'let's go to the island (or wherever).
If we lost this slip, we would be willing to pay up to $300/mo for another one (they're much much less then that tho, $12/foot per month. The convenience and usage we get from having it wetslipped is totally worth the money. The savings in headaches and hassle with trailering, and the ability to use it like a car, are so worth it in our eyes. My 2 cents.