Visit our Popular Forums

ssanzone · 29-04-2013, 09:28

i am sure most local's know that nelson's marine is closing may 1st.

there are a bunch of us with months left on our projects who are looking for new dry dock options.

I dont know of a yard that will take a boat for extended periods and allow owners to do whatever work they want.

any thoughts?

-steve

model 10 · 29-04-2013, 09:48

Without question, Napa Valley Marina is the best deal. The drive out there sucks though.

Charlie · 29-04-2013, 10:23

+1 for Napa Valley Marina. Reasonable rules, reasonable prices.

ssanzone · 29-04-2013, 10:37

yeah, i just stumbled across them this morning.

any info on how indifferent they are about owners doing their own work?

-steve

model 10 · 29-04-2013, 11:27

They don't care. There is a storage yard and a work yard. No exterior work in the storage yard and you have to be cool about what you do in storage. Plus they have a neat boat store.

fstbttms · 29-04-2013, 12:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssanzone

any info on how indifferent they are about owners doing their own work?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy

They don't care.

I'd be quite surprised if they literally "don't care" about DIY work in their yard. Most yards (even if they allow DIY work) have rules about what can, and can't be done by boat owners or other non-employees. For instance, most do not allow DIY bottom painting and/or bottom painting prep work any longer.

That being said, check out the Berkeley Marine Center. Long a reasonably-priced, DIY-friendly yard.

Berkeley Marine Center

Charlie · 29-04-2013, 15:48

Napa Valley Marina allows you to do your own bottom painting and prep. You are required to rent a vaccuming sander from them but it is only $20 a day or so. Great people and lots of long term project boats there. They do have a fairly good chandlery as well.

model 10 · 29-04-2013, 16:02

Bottom cleaner; You should know more about what you speak of.

markpierce · 29-04-2013, 16:22

Napa Marina entrance:

Suggest one consult the tides and channel depth at the entrance. When I've passed at low tide (water-covered entrance is less than half as wide as shown above), the water looked thin. Haven't entered the marina myself.

Between the Hwy 37 bridge and the marina, the navigable channel is a small fraction of the river's width. Keep at least a hundred feet inside the few channel markers that there are.

Charlie · 29-04-2013, 16:49

I can see my mast in that photo! I draw about 6'2" At low tides I have to stay at the center of the channel and gun it to get through the soft mud. Also if you go for fuel it is best to do it at a rising tide. I ran aground about five feet off the dock. When I tied to the dock all was fine. Great people at the Marina both staff and patrons.

ssanzone · 30-04-2013, 14:31

thanks all.

FYI: berkeley only has space for 18' boats and didnt find me funny when i asked if he had 2 back to back.

fstbttms · 30-04-2013, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy

Bottom cleaner; You should know more about what you speak of.

Why? I say something that wasn't true?

model 10 · 30-04-2013, 15:16

Yes you did. You probably don't get up to Napa much as you would need radar for your work plus it's almost fresh water so stuff dies anyway but Napa Valley Marina is the most DIY yard I can think of.