Any boaters in Rochester/Irondequoit Bay area?

[Markas]

Looking to relocate to area - looking to eventually end up in a bayfront home with dock if possible - would like to get some feedback from anyone in area about the boating season and what it would be like to keep a runabout there.

 

[hostage]

Re: Any boaters in Rochester/Irondequoit Bay area?

Welcome to Rochester. I have only started boating here this year ill do my best to fill yah in. There are Marinas in both Irondiquiot Bay and at the mouth of the Genesee River. The bay is no where as clear as the finger lakes or lake Ontario. The bay is relatively shallow so some parts (northern and southern) would require you to trim you motor up, unless your on the channel. The deepest part is about 70ft. There are 2 local hangouts where people anchor.

1) Sand bar (mostly families)
2) Island (more kids)

There are also a couple of restaurants on the bay that I know of that have docks.

Southern Bay: Bazile's - casual Italian. Food is really good and they own the marina so you can dock there order food and have it delivered or you can walk up to restaurant.

Northern Bay:
1) Castaways - Seafood, great view, other than that expensive and I don't care for the food.

2) Bayside - Can't give a review, went to Castaways, since their dock was full (bad idea). From what I smell they do hamburgers, etc. I also hear they only take cash.

I have a 19ft Cuddy that I keep on the trailer and launch my boat when I want to take it out.

There is a 25mph speed limit and 10mph when going through the breakwater to Lake Ontario.

The bay freezes over during the winter and you will see a lot of people ice fishing.

I hope this helps if you have any other particular questions I could help with let me know.

-Hostage

 

[Markas]

Re: Any boaters in Rochester/Irondequoit Bay area?

Hostage,

Thanks!

Haven't made the decision to move yet - but am thinking about it still (depends on some things that haven't been finalized).

Anyway, here are a couple of questions:

What's the season? April-September, for example? I guess, from my point of view, when does ice start becoming a factor - boating season for me would be fishing/cruising/tubing so not just hot weather activities, if you know what I mean.

How realistic/economical is it to find a house on the bay with a dock, and if so, would a 19' outboard runabout be able to get in and out of the dock (due to the low water, etc.)? At least from the real estate internet searches I was doing, it seems that houses on the nearby finger lakes are very pricey (i.e. too much $$$ to consider) compared to those on the bay.

Also, when you say 25 mph speed limit, is that for the whole bay, or is there anywhere you can go faster if you would like to?

Do you spend most of your time on the bay or out on Lake Ontario?

Finally: Even though you've only been up there a year boating, if you had your druthers, would you continue to trailer (and end up with a nicer home, but not by the water) or would you think you'd prefer having a waterfront home with a boat dock?

Thanks in advance (and if anyone else out there has any good feedback, also thanks!).

 

[hostage]

Re: Any boaters in Rochester/Irondequoit Bay area?

Where are yah from?

The season is from April to November, which is when the outlet bridge is closed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irondequoit_Bay_Outlet_Bridge

During the winter they bridge is open for car traffic and it prevents many boats from going to lake Ontario from the bay. Other than what I looked up I can't tell you how long of a season I am boating for since I only started up here. (from Texas)

As far as real estate goes (pricing) on the Bay can vary, there are some small bungalows that are more of summer cottages that are cheaper, valued at ~$150k+. Normal houses can start $100k higher from there. Space is limited on the Bay as there are parks, marinas, and wetlands that take up the a good portion of the front. You can check out zillow.com, which can give you a good idea of what property is worth, but the sale listings can be out of date. There are a few houses that own docks and they have fairly large boats. The marina where I launch my boat from just dredged and there are some 40+ footers there. How much are you looking to spend on a house, if you don't mind me asking (feel free to PM me)? If you want to get a house on Lake Ontario, it gets cheaper as you go out of the Rochester area. A coworker of mine got a summer cottage for ~$30k, on leased land. If you are looking for a Realtor, another coworker's wife helped us get our home and I love it.

The speed limit of the whole bay is 25mph. It is 10mph in the outlet and near shore.

We spend most of our time on the bay as the lake can be a little rough at times and it is much colder. I have gone out on the lake about 3 times this season, but I go out to my boat about twice a week.

Right now I store my boat for $40/month across the street from the Marina (South Point Marina) where I launch my boat, takes me about 15mins from trailer to launching. I am underway as quick as a lot of other people are that dock their boat. I also pay $275/season for a launch pass. That includes a discount card to the restaurant (10%), nice clean bathroom/shower facilities, wifi and etc. The public launch is $100/season, but doesn't come with the same facilities and is a 6 mile drive north. I look at it this way the easier something is the more I will do it and if I can do the same basic thing and save a whole lot of money ill do it. If I trailer my boat from my house, I wouldn't go out as much and I would have a large lawn gnome. If I trailered the boat to go out much as I do now, I would spend more in gas than I do in storage. Another couple things:

1) Boats don't sink on land, unless you leave a plug in and it rains heavily
2) Boat stays cleaner in storage and no bottom growth
3) It would cost 5x more to have it docked

Even though I did this and am very satisfied, the only reason I would dock mine is for social reasons.

Two years ago when I was in the market for a house I was looking near/on the bay as well as other areas. After a lot of research I ended up in Fairport, which is where my Realtor lives too lol. The taxes in Irondiquiot, where most of the houses are for sale near the bay are insane. I was looking at a house for about $130k, which wasn't on the lake that would cost more/month than my $172k house that I purchased.

=====Fairport/Perinton=====

IMHO I think Fairport is the best place to live in Rochester. It was also listed that in 100 top places to live. The taxes aren't bad, you have nice access to a lot of the nicer parts of Rochester.

Best Part = Fairport Electric is dirt cheap compared to RG&E. My lowest utility bill (gas and electric) was $17, some of my coworkers in other places pay as much as $300-400. That amount can go towards your principal, which you can get back when you sell the house, instead of to the power company or to a new boat or other toys.

Also Fairport has a lovely village and the Erie Canal goes right through it. During the boating season there are always boats tied up of people who travel the canal and even some who stay there for most of the season. My 19ft Cuddy would be dwarfed by most of the boats there at least 5x 40fters.

=====

Wow I never have made such a long post. I analyze and research any thing that costs more than a $100 to the point it drives my g/f bonkers.

If you ask if I would it over again or change anything...I wouldn't have it any other way.

Regards,

Hostage

Note: Pic of Cat 42 docked in Fairport

 

[Markas]

Re: Any boaters in Rochester/Irondequoit Bay area?

Hostage, thanks for the great info!

How about (Erie) canal frontage - do you know if it is common to find homes with canal frontage? Looks like the canal goes right through Fairport. If you own canal frontage are you allowed to/is it common to put a dock in the canal and dock your boat for the summer?

 

[hostage]

Re: Any boaters in Rochester/Irondequoit Bay area?

Np...I see houses that have docks and a boat tied go it. So I am guessing so, though I am not sure what all is involved. That would be a better question for the town. Also the speed limit on the canal is 10mph in many areas

 

[Keith7481]

Re: Any boaters in Rochester/Irondequoit Bay area?

I was just reading this thread and had a quick question. Some friends of mine are planning a canal trip from Oneida lake to the Rochester area, probably to Allen's Marine in Greece, or that area. Considering speed limits etc, any idea how long that trip would take?

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Any boaters in Rochester/Irondequoit Bay area?

Keith, If I remember right, It can be done in a 8hr day .
I'm from Oneida Lake also.

 

[Keith7481]

Re: Any boaters in Rochester/Irondequoit Bay area?

Thats about what I was guessing, thanks very much.
Keith

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Any boaters in Rochester/Irondequoit Bay area?

Keith, If I remember right, It can be done in a 8hr day .
I'm from Oneida Lake also.

Don't think so. Even if u start on the west end of Oneida, I don't see making Rochester in 8 hrs. That section of canal is a land cut which means that the speed limit is 10 m.p.h. And if u start on the east end of Oneida, forget it. Especially if there's a good west wind blowing. In that case, you can probably forget about even getting accross the lake. I've been on Oneida when it kicks up. T'aint fun.