Opinions - Leeward Cove marina?

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littlebookworm

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We're considering moving our boat there. Any opinions on the marina, facilities, dockmates, etc? Manger we spoke to seems nice but we'd like others opinions. PM me or post please. Thanks. Hy
 
I was there a few years ago. While I liked the location, the woman in the office wasn't all that friendly, the mechanics were a joke (one of the guys just walks around and curses all day) and the "yard guys" didn't have a clue. I think they pick them up in Farmingville. Again, I don't know if things have changed in the last few years. If you're just going for the summer then you shouldn't have any issues, but I wouldn't let anyone from that marina near my boat to do work, not even bottom painting which they have to do if you store there for winter. This was my experience there, others may have different opinion.
 
Since your now looking further east, have you looked at Sunset Harbor [ the old dockside 500 ]. We looked there and almost gave them a deposit before deciding on West Bank Marina.

Billy K.
 
I was there, not happy, moved to another marina next river east, and I'm very happy.. Swan River is very nice, and was dredged last year.. good luck in your quest..
 
We haven't yet made a firm decision on where to be this season. The problem with AYC is the fence between the high school yard and the marina. The barbed wire at the top, which was to keep students from climbing in and doing their thing, is pretty much gone, so the fence is pretty much worthless. I also wasn't happy with security, or rather the lack of security there. I drove in there on two separate occasions, parked and poked around the boats, and no one stopped me or asked if they could help, even though I was seen repeatedly by an employee there on one of the occasions. Unfortunately, I'm finding security a problem at all the marinas I visited. The cost at Sunset was about 50% higher than elsewhere. True, they have a pool and all, but we really weren't looking for all that. So, we're still looking. I had put the boat on the back burner for the past month or so because I was undergoing some tests for the big C. Thankfully, all came back negative so far so the boat's back on my mind. We do need to make a decision within the next few weeks.
 
I have a couple of friends there...one is in high and dry and the other a slip. They both like the marina and both like the mechanics on-site.
 
At least AYC has a 24 hour guard.
Trust me, I have seen him check people and scare kids away.
If you look normal, yeah, he won't bother you.
If you have no sticker, he will stop you.
In winter, it is a little more lax, but I assue you in summer it is better.
As for the fence, we all agreed try not to get a slip over there.

Plus in the summer more people are around keeping a eye on things.
 
Why can't they budget in a fix for the fence ?? Its important !
 
You should check out ss3 on the same canal as the ayc. Ss3 is a great marina with fun, friendly people. We were at ayc for a long time. We really enjoy ss3. I can connect you with captain mike winter. If you want to check it out, let me know.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Dani-Lu

You should check out ss3 on the same canal as the ayc. Ss3 is a great marina with fun, friendly people. We were at ayc for a long time. We really enjoy ss3. I can connect you with captain mike winter. If you want to check it out, let me know. All entrances are via electric fences and they have a security guy in evening.

Click to expand...
 
quote:
Originally posted by Double D

Why can't they budget in a fix for the fence ?? Its important !

Click to expand...


There are more important things, like buying a new truck for security because the old one had a dent. :)

The fence is owned by the school, I believe it is fixed, just no barb wire. Even when the fence had barb wire, the kids got through. IMHO, until they get cameras on that side, this will always be a problem.

Security in any large Marina is tough and costly. The AYC is very large, having one security guard cover all that ground is pretty much impossible. To secure the place with cameras and do it properly would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

They have implemented a great system that makes it almost impossible for someone to come into the marina by boat to steal stuff.

For the amount of slips in the marina (529) there is relatively no problems. The problem with the kids and the fence is petty stuff, like partying in your boat and drinking your booze.
 
SS3 looks like a great place, but don't you have to use their mechanics?
For me that is the biggest negative about any marina other than AYC.
I want to use who I want, when I want.
Also if I want to paint my own bottom or get someone to do it, I can.

The money I save I will use to add an alarm system to my boat.
Which is on my list!
 
We haven't checked out SS3 yet. I may try to go over there tomorrow. Thanks, everyone, for the input. For the record, I don't keep any liquor on the boat. We don't drink enough to make it worthwhile. We used to dock our previous boat at Center Yacht Club in Moriches. One day in January I came to the marina to pay a bill. The place was swarming with police. A crew had broken into the marina and had caused between $200-$500 thousand in damage and theft (especially theft) to many boats. The amount was debatable depending on whom you asked. The petty damage - broken hatches, cut winter covers, and some malicious damage - was the most upsetting. The big stuff was basically covered by insurance. The marina's reaction was that they're not liable; they don't promise security in their contracts. I've since seen similar clauses in other marina contracts, including where we presently are. I carry insurance, but prefer not to use it, so I look for security at a marina. To be continued. Hy
 
You cant really rely on security at a marina. 9 out of 10 marinas do not guarantee the safety of your boat while stored. I know where I keep my searay, its winter storeage. No security, its a locked yard..
 
HY,

If you go to SS3, ask for Mike Winter - Real good guy!
I am in Slip A1 - Dani-Lu is boat name and my name is Jeff. I know Mike for many years.

With respect to using your own mechanic, Dave (Current Sea) is correct, you can only use their mechanics on the property or you can work on your boat yourself. I do most basic maintenance myself. Some boaters just bring their boats to other mechanics they have used over the years and some use SS3. SS3 is anxious to get year round clients, so they have become more competitive on their service pricing than in the past, but you do not have to use them.

Good luck,

Jeff

quote]Originally posted by littlebookworm

We haven't checked out SS3 yet. I may try to go over there tomorrow. Thanks, everyone, for the input. For the record, I don't keep any liquor on the boat. We don't drink enough to make it worthwhile. We used to dock our previous boat at Center Yacht Club in Moriches. One day in January I came to the marina to pay a bill. The place was swarming with police. A crew had broken into the marina and had caused between $200-$500 thousand in damage and theft (especially theft) to many boats. The amount was debatable depending on whom you asked. The petty damage - broken hatches, cut winter covers, and some malicious damage - was the most upsetting. The big stuff was basically covered by insurance. The marina's reaction was that they're not liable; they don't promise security in their contracts. I've since seen similar clauses in other marina contracts, including where we presently are. I carry insurance, but prefer not to use it, so I look for security at a marina. To be continued. Hy
[/quote]
 
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