| Dear ,
We hope everyone had a great time at the Tall Ships Festival this past weekend. We sure did. What a great annual event this has become! Here's a terrific video just released by the Dana Point Historical Society that you'll surely enjoy. ( click here)  Many thanks to the hundreds of DPBA members, old and new who dropped by our booth on the grass at Baby Beach. It was great to see all our old friends and make many new friends too. Thanks again to the servers who made our Free Lunch program possible, the Dana Point High School Pep Squad!
There was a lot of discussion amongst DPBA members, including a rumor heard around the harbor for quite awhile now. We've heard enough by now to know that the rumor is true (where there's smoke there's fire!) and wanted to frame it for the benefit of those who are wondering how they may be affected.
What rumor? The term we hear being used is "Marina Management Unification". Dana Point Harbor is one boating community, but since the West Marina started operations in the late 70's slip renters have contended with an ongoing divide and conquer situation. Dana Point boaters now have:
- Two sets of slip policies and procedures, featuring sometimes confusing differences - for example, what are the official live-aboard and slip sublet policies?
- Two wait lists to sign up for (and pay twice to be on) - won't it be nice to be able to transfer from one basin to the other when that slip we've been waiting (and waiting) for finally becomes available?
- Less marina operations accountability than otherwise would be the case - that "which basin?" question always starts the conversation about any boater issue and often becomes a major factor as to when/if something will be done.
- Two slip rate schedules, reviewed at different times of the year - in all candor, we volunteers are tired of fighting two battles every year.
- Last and surely not least, duplicative marina administrative overhead that ends up translating into higher slip rents.
These problems would be compounded and logistics in general added to the list when reconstruction starts on the water side and boaters must be moved from dock to dock to make way. That's still a ways off of course, but definitely on the harbor planning horizon.
Confirmation and timing? We hope to have something specific to announce soon. Please stay tuned.
PS, there were some serious issues with dedicated boater parking last weekend, attributed at least some part to much greater than planned event turnout. The good news is that these issues have been raised, recognized and various needed improvements are in the works for next year. |
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DPBA Member Dues Waived for 2010
We announced some very good news for boaters in our February 26th Boater Blast. We're waiving dues for 2010, for three very good reasons. This is a great opportunity for boaters and there are absolutely no strings attached!
To learn more click here.
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The Dana Point Boaters Association advocates the preservation, enhancement, and expansion of affordable recreational boating. We work to improve the family friendly atmosphere and breadth of water-oriented actives we all enjoy in the harbor. We serve as the watchdog by ethically protecting the rights of all boaters and representing them when collective action is most effective. We actively gather information and communicate our views to educate boaters, external interests, and public officials. We build and maintain constructive, working relationships to achieve common goals with other harbor stakeholders. We will pass on our harbor to the next generation of recreational boaters in better condition than it is today. |
