Essex Island Marina Auction
- Thread starter SPIKE
- Start date
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2003
- RO Number
- 12563
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- 529
I can tell you from experience that running a marina in/near the eastern Sound is a very difficult business. Even with 100+ deep water slips that will handle boats 30 ft. and over, there simply isn't enough income even if the place is always just about full with seasonal and transient boats. You really need ample space for winter storage, a very well-equipped shop and a staff with factory training. Simply renting winter storage space probably won't do it either unless you have the equipment and skills to step/unstep masts and remove/reinstall engines. The costs associated with all of that are very high. Workman's comp insurance in Connecticut is very expensive as is liability coverage in what can be a fairly hazardous workplace.
A gas dock is a valuable income producer but is also a maintenance headache and expensive to insure. Even a minor spill in a high profile harbor like Essex will draw the attention of Connecticut DEEP, which will ask about the training you provided to those minimum wage-plus-tips youngsters you have to hire during the summer. Do you have a written manual and the containment equipment needed to contain a spill?
On the Connecticut River (and other New England rivers)just cleaning up winter debris can be a time consuming and expensive process that produces no income. If a seawall has been damaged (common on the river), hire an attorney, file a permit and wait. If you repair or replace pilings or dredge to recover lost dock space without permits, the fine can be overwhelming for a small marina like Essex Island.
The Brewers business plan is pretty sound, part of which is to maintain their customers' boats. Sure, Brewers is expensive but they have to be to maintain the quality of the marinas they operate.
I can see why the family that owns Essex Island wishes to retire. There are a number of other marina/boat yard owners along the river who would also like to retire if they could sell at a decent price.
Bill
A gas dock is a valuable income producer but is also a maintenance headache and expensive to insure. Even a minor spill in a high profile harbor like Essex will draw the attention of Connecticut DEEP, which will ask about the training you provided to those minimum wage-plus-tips youngsters you have to hire during the summer. Do you have a written manual and the containment equipment needed to contain a spill?
On the Connecticut River (and other New England rivers)just cleaning up winter debris can be a time consuming and expensive process that produces no income. If a seawall has been damaged (common on the river), hire an attorney, file a permit and wait. If you repair or replace pilings or dredge to recover lost dock space without permits, the fine can be overwhelming for a small marina like Essex Island.
The Brewers business plan is pretty sound, part of which is to maintain their customers' boats. Sure, Brewers is expensive but they have to be to maintain the quality of the marinas they operate.
I can see why the family that owns Essex Island wishes to retire. There are a number of other marina/boat yard owners along the river who would also like to retire if they could sell at a decent price.
Bill
winterbreak
Member
- Joined
- May 29, 2013
- RO Number
- 33269
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- 11
Stayed there Fri-Sat this weekend with 12 other boats from our club from the South Shore of LI. They treated us great, gave us a whole section to ourselves, and the staff was beyond helpful. The catering from marelys was a little subpar to be honest. One major issue i see with it, is that its on an island. while it adds a "cool" factor to it. It really is a inconvenience, and a extra expense to be running a ferry 12 hours every day to travel 25 feet.
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2002
- RO Number
- 10265
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- 9,958
I wonder why they can't build a really tall footbridge!
IMO - Many marinas and yacht clubs have 'launches' and other support craft and that is the least of their problems/costs.
As others have pointed out here there are many possible ideas to try and renew and expand the activities at EI.
Lets hope someone gets a good shot at success this time.
Winterbreak - "Stayed there Fri-Sat this weekend with 12 other boats from our club from the South Shore of LI"
How busy was the marina during your 3 day weekend stay? How busy were the other marinas next door?
As others have pointed out here there are many possible ideas to try and renew and expand the activities at EI.
Lets hope someone gets a good shot at success this time.
Winterbreak - "Stayed there Fri-Sat this weekend with 12 other boats from our club from the South Shore of LI"
How busy was the marina during your 3 day weekend stay? How busy were the other marinas next door?
Marleys is privately owned by a local business man that also owns the convenience store as you head into town on main street.
I agree, subpar is a good word that describes Marleys. After eating you find your self thinking it "could" be a goldmine. Waiters are family and friends, food is so-so, decorations and ambiance could be easily improved. Music is sporadic like someone has to keep pressing the "are you still listening" icon on Pandora.
I agree, subpar is a good word that describes Marleys. After eating you find your self thinking it "could" be a goldmine. Waiters are family and friends, food is so-so, decorations and ambiance could be easily improved. Music is sporadic like someone has to keep pressing the "are you still listening" icon on Pandora.
winterbreak
Member
- Joined
- May 29, 2013
- RO Number
- 33269
- Messages
- 11
From what I heard on Saturday listening to them on ch. 68 was that they were completely booked for transient during the day. I heard brewers launch working non stop, but didn't really explore much more then the wooden boat show, and a walk down the main drag.
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2004
- RO Number
- 13316
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- 577
I am looking forward to the improvements. Brewer's runs some top shelf places, and some are almost as nice as the Haverstraw Resort Marina.
WOW..... friends were there and the rumor mill pegged the place at 15 million....
Way short of what everyone thought... kinda odd the selling price and the amount of back taxes are very close... I thought it wouldn't sell for less then 7 mil... if true its a steal
Rob
Way short of what everyone thought... kinda odd the selling price and the amount of back taxes are very close... I thought it wouldn't sell for less then 7 mil... if true its a steal
Rob
We have just arrived at EIM. After getting situated in our slip I can see that Brewers has a lot of work to do here. It's funny but we stayed here two years ago and it looks like it's much worse condition than I seem to remember. Probably no major upkeep or capital improvements since a long while back. The floating slips are in need of replacement, most of the bulkheads and pylons will need to be replaced (lots of weeds growing in the spaces between the dock planks and styrofoam floats). Being that almost half the island has bulkheads, this will be a very expensive upgrade. All the facilities seem a bit old and in need of more than a bit of paint. It all looks ready for a complete renovation. When Brewers bought Pier 66 Marina on the Branford River near my marina they did a total refit including all new cement floating docks, and it looks great now. EIM is a wonderful destination and I expect Brewers will bring it back to it's former glory. The 2014 rates are $4.50/ft over 26 ft. Gas and dock hand was courteous and helpful.
Hanging out at the pool I just talked to a couple of slip holders. They said there was no chance it could have become condos but are a bit nervous about having a new landlord. Apparently there are quite few "old salts" who don't take to change easily and some have had personal arrangements (live aboard) with Dawn and Kyle that they worry won't be honored by Brewers. There is also the way Brewers only allows it's approved contractors to work and do boat maintenance. They also seem worried about loosing a season during Marina renovations or even being bumped from their slips. Ultimately I got the feeling they actually prefer the rustic feel of the place (a bit of New England charm) though the docks and bulkheads would have to be upgraded no matter who would own it. Though the Marina is a little rough around the edges the grounds and facilities are very clean. They say the best outcome would be for Dawn and Kyle to stay on and manage it. Lots of rumors and speculation at this point. I also learned a nickname for the island after I inquired about one of the dock hands sweeping the walls and ceilings around the grounds; spider island. Apparently, keeping the spiders a bay here is a full time job!