www.iFourWinns.com
https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/

Slip Problems
https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3406		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  zelena [ Sun May 03, 2009 9:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Slip Problems
Well, got the boat delivered at Burham Harbor. It looked great and ran like a champ. It was a nice day and my mechanic and I got it on plane in the Lake, went through the lock and down the river to River City to where I have my slip. But when I got there there was a boat there. I called the guy that I have dealt with (I paid him a fee and wrote a separate check to the condo unit owner that owns the slip). He allegedly tried to figure out whose boat was in the slip. In the meantime I met and spoke with some people in the marina who told me that my contact was not exactly straight and narrow (although they also acknowledged he rents a lot of slips in the marina). However, the also confirmed that there is not really any central contact person for managing the marina, which is crazy to me. After sitting around for several hours one of the residents told me that he knew that one of the slips would be empty for awhile. So, I put a note on the boat explaining the situation and have left it in the wrong slip (I also gave my # to another owner that planned on sleeping in his boat and he said he'd call me). In the meantime, the broker wants me to tie-down outside the wall on the river itself rather than using the empty slip. This seems crazy to me since the wake from the sight-seeing boats will pound it and the barges might not even see it at night. I told him he needs to get rid of the squatter in my slip. Obviously this is not a good situation. In the next few days I will either move it into the spot I leased (and have already paid for) or ask my mechanic to trailer it back to storage and try to get back into the Harbor system. I am not willing to "trade" for a spot outside the marina. Any thoughts and/or advice on a weird situation? What a welcome to the boating world! Thanks.
Author:  mikebaker1975 [ Sun May 03, 2009 10:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
I don't use a slip but I think you should stick to your guns. Don't settle for anything less than you paid for. I definitely don't think you should tie it up outside the marina.

Do what you can to find the owner of the other boat. Sounds highly likely this slip mgr overbooked himself and needs to make it right.
Author:  jmeirhofer [ Sun May 03, 2009 10:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
Does the condo have a homeowners' association? I would go to them is the Marina is part of the condo. Either way, like said above I would not settle for anything but the slip or a refund. And I would not wait long for it.
Author:  zelena [ Sun May 03, 2009 10:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
Thanks. The real problem is I live in Chicago in a condo and can't store my boat without having to pay someone else to do it. So, either I get this corrected or I have to pay to pull it out of the water (none of the other Chicago Harbors even open until May 15). I am looking into trying to contact the condo board, but I only have the contact to this broker that always claims to speak on behalf of the board. Welcome to boating, eh?
Author:  aguyindallas [ Mon May 04, 2009 8:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
Is it too late to stop payment on your check???
Author:  zelena [ Mon May 04, 2009 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
Unfortunately, if this doesn't work out I will likely have to sue for a refund. That and find a new slip!
Author:  zelena [ Mon May 04, 2009 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
Hey, so far it is a happy ending. I got an e-mail today demanding that I move the boat from the slip I parked it. By the time I had arrived the police were there. I had showed up with a guy that taught a Coast Guard Auxilliary course, which seemed to help a lot. Bottom-line is the squatter's boat is out and I am in my slip. Very happy!
Author:  Cap'n Morgan [ Mon May 04, 2009 1:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
Is the squatters' boat tied up outside the wall on the river now? Or in Davey Jones' Locker? :)
Author:  zelena [ Mon May 04, 2009 1:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
It's nowhere to be found.
Author:  jmeirhofer [ Mon May 04, 2009 2:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
What were the police for?? I would have thought the person whose slip you were in would have called you first. At any rate I am suprised the police came out for this kind of call. I would keep that in mind if you ever find someone in your slip again.

Of course considering everything with that marina so far I would be looking elsewhere and have something else lined up when my time there was up.
Author:  Cap'n Morgan [ Mon May 04, 2009 2:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
jmeirhofer wrote:
Of course considering everything with that marina so far I would be looking elsewhere and have something else lined up when my time there was up.


It's Chicago......... finding a slip there is like the odds of winning the lottery. If you get a slip there, you have to hold on to it.
Author:  captkevin [ Mon May 04, 2009 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
That really sucks - hope things work out
Author:  jmikula [ Wed May 06, 2009 9:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
Zelena,

IF and ONLY IF you lose that slip. (and I'd fight tooth and nail for it)...

Depending on where you live, if you can't find any good slips in Chicago, the Hammond (IN) marina is not a bad choice for a year... I've been in the Marina for several years and it wad adequate. I have since moved on to a private marina further down the lake, but Hammond is not a bad trek from most major areas of the suburbs. Unless your on the north side... There is a nice place up north... I can't remember the name (I am sure someone wil chime in) but several Hammond boaters when there when Hammond closed 2 years ago.

The point is, don't let the situation keep you off the water.
Author:  woggy718 [ Wed May 06, 2009 9:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
I am new to the Michigan City Marina, but was talking to a guy who kept his boat there and he was from Chicago. He used to keep it at one of the Chicago Marina's and said that there was no comparison and he loved Michigan City. He travels about an hour to get there. Just a thought. Personally, I love the marina and the immediate surrounding community. Good restaurants, bars, shopping, casino, and a real nice park.
Author:  zelena [ Wed May 06, 2009 10:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Slip Problems
Well, thanks for the alternatives. As for now things have settled down and I am in my slip, which is one of the better ones in the marina. Anyhow, I would love to make the trek over to Michigan City later this summer, but by boat and not by car. I am a very urban guy -- I own a boat, but no car. And this marina is perfect because it is a 10 minute walk from work. I don't always get weekends off so if I have to drive, even 45 minutes to the boat I know I'd use it less. This way I can leave work on a slower day and get in a couple of hours. I hope I am not being naive, but I think that now the boat is in the slip, all should be good. Thanks for all the support.
Page 1 of 2 All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/