DIY where?

[Hows Hatt]

Yachtsmanbill's question and Freebird's response about marinas that permit DIY owners got me to wondering about just how much demand there may be for a DIY location. I have been considering the purchase of a warehouse for the purpose of renting heated indoor storage. The building is about five miles inland to get it out of the high rent district and would therefore only be suitable for boats of about 40' and less. I know lots of us are multiple boat owners and have a smaller boat or three in addition to the Hatt. And some of us, like me, have a smaller Hatt in addition to the other smaller boats. Heated winter storage in west Michigan runs about $5/sf on the low side and $7/sf on the high side. I thought about offering additional working space at a premium for the DIY guy who had some repairs or upgrades he (or she) wanted to do over the winter. I also thought about offering an area for a premium where a mess could be made, like sanding and painting. The room would have to be vented and explosion proof lights and stuff, but that's not too difficult. What d'yall think? Would there be a market? Thanks for your replies. Howard in west Michigan

 

[67hat34c]

sounds like a good idea, have to make sure the boat can be trucked in , clear overpasses and traffic lights, power lines etc. these things sit tall on a trailer. I would research this further, make sure streets will allow the weight. epa rules for work. also discuss with transport company, possibley they would be willing to cut some deal for short hauls, also what about crain, are you getting a travel lift or rely on local crain company.

 

[Hows Hatt]

The building I'm looking at is about 20 or so years old with 14' ceilings. Due to first tier storage now wanting 20' or more ceilings, this one can be bought reasonably. It has 14' high O.H.doors, so anything that can go down the road can get inside height wise. I would have to widen the doors from 12' to 14', however. I own another building that I rent to a boat broker who has a 30,000lb trailer for transport and yardarms for unloading. The building I'm considering is just a stones throw from the Tiara plant so weight should not be problem. Everything is still in the consideration stage and I'm just weighing the possibilities and trying to think a little outside of the box. A fringe benefit would be that it's a great place to store and work on my project Hatt 28SF, which I moved last week-end and only got two tickets for over-size load! I shoulda known better, but I'm learning! Howard in west Michigan

 

[thoward]

I do not think I would like the idea of a DYI guy indoors next to my boat. It would also seem to me insurance and labor hours(to watch over the dingalings) would eat you up. Most of the DIY yards down here are gone due to the insurance factor.

 

[Genesis]

If I was up north I would not haul in a place that did not permit DIY work.

When I hauled down here I refused to patronize yards that did not allow DIY work, irrespective of whether I intended to do some or not (most of the time yes, but not always.)

I refuse to pay yard rates as a matter of force.

If I want to farm something out to the yard, that's fine, but I want them to be well aware of the fact that if they're unreasonable with the price I both can and will do it myself.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Howard,
Up in Whitehall, I store in a place that allows DIY work. They have strict rules regarding sanding or painting or anything that makes a mess. You have to tent the area that you work in and you have to clean up after yourself. Also, if you get dust all over, they will charge you for washing every boat in the building. I have never had any problems there. They allow entry from 9am to 6pm every day except Christmas Day and you have to have the security code and sign in and out on a log. If you want extra room, they charge you for the space at the same rate per sq ft as if your boat was that size. I can't blame them, as they can fill the building every year without a problem. Just a comparison for you and in the same MI West Coast area too. The rate this year is $5.65 and it has in floor heat at 60 degrees.

 

[Paul45c]

Sadly, sometimes it becomes a qualitative issue. One yard around here immediately comes to mind...nice enough place, and it is extremely open for either DIY or any contractors you want to bring in from outside. The only problem is that there are certain things you just wouldn't want to do around there because of the DIRT factor (i.e painting). Don't get me wrong...the place doesn't look untidy, but the other yards in the area (some of which do allow DIY, most don't) somehow seem to keep things higher & tighter.

I'd really love to know how financially stable the yard business is, because I don't see any rush to build them. The "no DIY" policy taking hold more and more could be what some have to do to make it. I truly have no idea.

 

[Starman]

Many things to consider here and I am quite sure you have given much thought to the many posibilities of what "could go wrong" at any boatyard, including a DIY facility.

Some years back I heard of a company for the DIY carpenter, or weekend hobbiest that offered a space and all the tools they would need to do a project.

I would think though a DIY yard that offers the tools ( at a rental fee price ) would be a drawing card for the business. Something to consider.

According to that article, the major expense was insurance. Insurance to paint is about 4 times the cost of regular liability because it can cost so much to "fix" the overspray on someones boat and or vehicles.

There was a DIY yard down near Southport NC that I had heard closed shop. There main income was the rental/storage fee, and the owners could do any work they wanted. But insurance costs, and minimal salaries for the owners forced them to sell out.

I wish you luck in this venture. Decent facilities that provide the type of service customers should expect are becomming a rarity.

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Paul,

long story very short: that yard in S'port richly deserved to go out of business. Dishonest owners to start with.

Sadly, boat yards need to be located on some of the most prime waterfront real estate along rivers or the coast. Property taxes, insurance, and environmental laws make for a tough business (bet you already know this). And unlike the 300 some square feet yours or my wheels take up at the local Ford dealer (ok Mercedes) the average yacht can take up to 1,000 ft.sq. A lot of real estate especially when jobs can lasts for months.

I certainly wish not to make the case for boatyards. I too have been ripped off.

FYI there is one yard just up river from S'port that is knowledgable, expedient, tidy and curteous. (The one that was not a former Hatteras owner, if that tells you anything).

Capt'n Bill

 

[Nonchalant1]

My marina (Illinois) allows all DIY both at the dock and in heated winter storage. They also have regular shore power in the storage warehouse so you can power up the electric on your boat. I'm sure they'd balk at major sanding or painting, and when I had stabilizers put on, we had to have a special dust trap built around the work area.

I couldn't have my boat in a non-DIY marina. What do you do....take it out and anchor somewhere because you're going to work on it now?

Doug

 

[Hows Hatt]

Thanks for all the get-backs. Sky, that is very on point, double thanks. Still have lots of pencil pushing to do on this one. For clarafication, the property has only indoor space (no yard) and is partitioned off with block walls into five seperate areas, each with its own O.H. door and truckwell. There are several areas currently leased. I would use one of the vacant areas for simple heated storage, pack 'em in like sardines with very limited owner access from September through April. I would use another area for the DIY crowd and anyone who wants more winter access to their baby. I thought that for the tenants protection I could partition each boat off with canvas tarps in its own 20' X 45' area (or whatever size appropriate) and prohibate extensive sanding and painting. For the messy stuff, there is a small area the PO sectioned off with block for his own toys that could be converted to mess making area. The only thing I would provide other than heat and light and maybe water would be an air compressor. From what I've experienced at the other building, it's property taxes and not insurance that causes shudders. Taxes there are 3 1/2 times the insurance. It'd be a big bite for me and I don't know if I want that amount of speculative investment and debt. Thanks all. Howard