Kayak same as boat launch fees, can they be changed?

[john from md]

Folks,


It has been my experience that most marinas charge the same price whether you are launching a yak or launching a boat. In most cases, launching a boat takes longer in the ramp area than launching a boat. I wonder if we have enough clout to try to get marinas to drop their price to $5 a yak.

I'm sure we have folks here that would drive to a marina vs Sandy Point or Jonas Green if the prices were reasonable. It would also give paddlers more areas to fish that take too long to paddle if launching from one of the free or inexpensive parks. The way I see it, getting $5 once in a while beats getting nothing.

Just a thought even though I don't even know how one would begin to start a campaign.


This is what happens when its storming and I can't get out on the water; I start to think.


Regards,

John

[J.A. Veil]

I don't know how that would play across the board. I did try to get some relief from Smith's Marina on the Severn. Their normal ramp fee is $20. I called there last winter and left a message -- nobody returned my call.

I launched my powerboat there a week and a half ago. After returning I went into the marina office and talked with a woman there. I asked if there could be a reduced rate for kayakers to launch there during the winter (there are some good pickerel spots not too far away). I also asked if the Severn River Rod and Keg Club, whose members are mostly based in the Severn River area could get a reduced group rate to launch there. The woman told me she would talk to the owners. After a week and a half, I have had no reply. I don't expect to hear from her.

Realistically, in most places where kayakers are charged the same rate as a boat, there is little incentive for the ramp owner/operator to reduce their fees. Part of the fee pays for the use of a parking space in their often space-limited lots. If they give up parking spaces to kayakers who pay half the ramp fee, then they may need to turn away boaters who could pay the full fee.

It doesn't hurt to ask a specific marina -- but don't be surprised to get rebuffed most of the time.

[john from md]

Wow, if you can't get a discount for the SRRKC, and in winter yet, it doesn't bode well for the rest of us.

Is it still possible to launch a yak for free at Pier 7 on Wednesday nights? I don't much like the brown stuff that gets on my boat/yak that far up the South River but it right around the corner and free beats the $20 fee.

Regards,

John

[surfdog]

yeah charging 20 bucks to launch a yak sucks. stoney creek marina let me launch for free and chesapeake beach marina is 5 bucks to launch not many others out there thats why we mostly use public ramps

[DOGFISH]

Probably, the better chance is to have Anne Arundel County to put in a kayak launch at Thomas Point or some of the other locales. I can also state that the water quality at the mouth of the river has also not been that great this year. There has been alot of brown water.

[kevinfry]

Even way south at St Jerome's creek, I couldn't get any love from Drury's marina. Guy said kayakers take too much time on the ramp. Of course when i showed him I only had $6, he could not pass up the opportunity to take a guy's last buck.......
I think Buzz's does accommodate yaks...but they have a lot of parking.

[john from md]

From a practical standpoint, "kayakkers taking more time at the ramp" is hogwash.

When I put my boat in, I take more time as I have to slowly back into the ramp. Then I have to secure the lines that will hold the boat after it leaves the trailer. When I finally get in the boat, I have to do an engine run up, check bilge pump operation, and set up my radio, GPS and fishfinder.

When I put out in my yak, it is configured at the car in the parking lot and all I do when I get to the water is climb in and paddle away.

As far as parking goes, the yakkers take up less space as they are not dragging along a 21 foot trailer!

Regards,

John

[kevinfry]

Preaching to the Choir, John

[ictalurus]

Mike at Buzz's let me launch for $5 when I first started going there. To launch a boat is $10. I was pretty happy with that. I haven't launched at any other marinas, so I haven't tried to negotiate the price anywhere else.

[t227]

Well, charging a yakker the same because they use the parking lot still doesn’t justify the same fees as a vehicle with a trailer. A Car with a kayak on top takes up less space . $20 to launch a yak is theft! Trailered boats should pay one fee and car toppers another. But that’s not how it works out. I have always talked to the operators of the launch and they always have came down to $5 sometimes 10$. I won’t pay $20 to launch a yak.

[surfdog]

+1^ if u ask and they dont bring the price down just tell them that 500 members will never launch there ever

[john from md]

Make that 800 members.

John