Dock Master

B

BillyBo

Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2008
RO Number
29723
Messages
81
I need some advice, preferrably from Ontario boaters.
I had a run in with my Dock master during the season, it was not a heated arguement. I took my boat out last week for winter storage, I went down today to pay my deposit and she said I was not welcome back next year, to say the least my jaw hit the floor, I have been at the same marina for 8 years, even before she came. My question is does she have any lagal grounds or should I fight it?
 
Not sure what its like where you are, but here there are plenty of docks with empty slips, so I would never stay where I wasn't wanted. Having said that, though, there's a difference between being the dock master and the owner. I would wonder if the owner knew that he was losing your business and ask him/her myself what the situation is.

*edited for annoying spelling mistake
 
The lease holder is her boyfriend, the marina does have a waiting list, she is not very well liked. As for moving, I have many good friends at the marina, besides that, for me it is matter of pincipal. I have paid my fees on time every year, my wife and I are not trouble makers, actually quite the opposite, I have helped the dock master on many occasions with problems in the marina, I even ran around 100ft of water outlets (9 slips) down our dock at no charge.
 
Bill I can understand pride vs principle. However I wouldn't want to stay where I wasn't wanted either. Perhaps you dock friends can all tell the marina they are leaving if you are thrown out without good reason? Sounds like you should send the marina an invoice for the water project.
Bill
 
You are commended for always paying on time, but if it works the same up north, then every year is a contract onto itself.

She has for filled her agreement with you and does not wish to renew. I believe she is well within her rights. As stated above I would not want to be any place where I'm not wanted or appreciated.
 
Is there any way to mend things with that lady?
Maaaaaaybe all she wants is some kind of satisfaction.
 
I am Dockmaster of our dockominium here with a number of rental slips by owners that have multiple docks.
I have had the odd run in with tenants but it usually is resolved when I find out the lessor did not hand over a copy of the rules at the beginning of the season.
We work on a three strike rule here with a letter on the second strike.
We also do not wait for the end of the season to boot a tenant if they have three strikes, it's 48 hours or we tow it.
The tenant can then deal with the actual slip owner for any refunds.
Our rules are not onerous and mostly deal with noise, garbage or Dirty boats.
We have a "Bristol Condition" committee that flags poorly kept boats for me and we have to approve new boats prior to them arriving for the season.
Last year this crappy houseboat arrived under tow because his engines were all apart, he as not even allowed to tie up overnight.
This year one arrived with a family of raccoons aboard that he proceeded to try to evict AFTER he arrived. This guy was ordered off within three minutes. I have no idea how they made out for refunds as we only allow an owner to do seasonal rentals.
 
Not a chance, I tried to talk to her today, this woman is outright rude, she is not a Dock Master in any sense of the word, she came to Marina 5 years ago after leaving a job at Tim Hortons I think, her boyfriend put up the money for the lease. We all helped her because we knew she had no idea how to run a marina, since that time she has become an expert.
 
We too have a 3 strike rule, I might add I do not have any strikes!!!11
 
Time to go, and as stated above, take as many friends with you as you can.
 
Did you ask why you are no longer welcome?
Jim
 
Unless you have a signed agreement with the marina, you don't really have any legal grounds.
 
She said the reason was, she did not appriciate being quizzed about issues in the marina, for e.g. we have a rule that states all dog must be on a leash, however, the property owner also has dog that is allowed to run free... she said it was none of my business, "She ran the marina", a number of boaters tried to meet with her last year to discuss some problems with the marina, she flat out refused.
 
Why would you want to stay where you are not wanted? I have been "non renewed" by a Brewers and could have cared less. Lets say you do fight it and win. Yippeee you are back at a marina in which the dockmaster will watch you like a hawk and pounce on you at any wrong, actual or perceived.

Move on and forget about it. Ultimately, when they have a slew of empty slips, the market (read customers) will have spoken as to her management abilities.

As for the owners dog running free, well, it is always better to be King than Prince.
 
I agree with you all about moving on, in fact I am going to look at marina's today, however I feel wronged, this has become a principal thing, the typical thing to do is roll over to this bullying tactic, I have my pride....
 
Unfortunately,It sounds likes the marina people are working on principle also, they might have been taking your questions as complaints. They have a waiting list....so they figure its a no lose. Send them a bill for the plumbing.
 
Take your friends with you, if you can.

I know how hard it can be to leave a marina you call home. A Brewers did the same thing to me on a technicality but the real reason was I didn't use them for engine work and other services they offered. I also had a grandfathered rate on a slip so getting rid of me increased annual revenue
and potentially brought them additional services work. It's not right on principle but they didn't see it that way. I ended up at a much, much better place with great friends so it worked out for me.

This "dock master" will learn that waiting lists are not forever and when you start miss treating customers you will lose business. If she's throwing people out for complaining (I'n not saying you were) she has some basic things to learn in order to be successful.

Leave, tell everyone else to leave, and don't look back -- doesn't sound like you did anything wrong.
 
I too would move on. And I would try to get my friends to join me. I might even try to take everyone at the marina with me. But at the end of the day I would find another place and not invest much energy on her or her marina. You can meet new friends, and in the long run have a better situation.
 
Does her first name start with an S ? And does she have large breasts ?
I didnt return to the Marina I was at on Lake Ontario after some dealings with someone that I found less than friendly . Too bad beacause there are a lot of great people a beautifull Marina at a super location . I ended up moving back to Georgian Bay .
 
You should try to get as many of your friends to move with you. Screw her and her atttitude - why would you want to deal with that.

I agree on sending an invoice for the work you did.
 
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