Boat slips

[BlueDog]

Hey ,
I'm usually all done with securing a slip by this time, but this season I'm kind of being lazy about it. What are your guys thoughts about the slip situation this season in the highlands, AH, leaonardo area? I feel like there is either gonna be no slips to be had, or by June 15th There will be so many, the marinas will be empty. I hear there are slips available in Leonardo , what about AH?
I'm looking for a slip for a 24 rampage express by the way.
Art

[Gerry Zagorski]

Leonardo did not sustain as much dock damage as Atlantic Highlands. Having said this, I was in the area over the weekend and it looks like there is a lot of work, heavy equipment and materials over at Atlantic Highlands and nothing going on over at Leonardo.

I know of some people that were on the list at Leonardo and got slips, although I don't know if they have any left. It's my undestanding Leonardo is going ahead with the plans to dismantle the one fixed peer they have and putting in 2 new floating docks in addition to the one they already have. It's also my understanding that the concession stand and the office building with bathrooms and showers have been condemed. Given how slow the state moves, I would say it's going to be a while before those buildings are replaced and the new floating docks are installed.

I also heard that Atlantic Highlands is replacing all but 2 of their fixed peers ( Franks and the Gas Dock) with all new floaters. Since the Marina is so vital to the town, I would bet this work gets done sooner rather than later and will likey get completed before Leonardo but who knows. Floating docks go in a lot faster then fixed docks so once they start it should go pretty fast.

A few other notes... At Leonardo, most new slip holders are given the slips along the bulkhead on the lauch ramp side and are moved further back in the marina over time. So, if a floating dock is important to you, you will likely not be on a floater in Leonardo. Same type of thing used to happen over at the Atlantic Highlands. You start off on Franks and get moved to more protected slips over time.... Since they are installing a lot more floaters then Leonardo, I would think your chances of being on a floater will be better there.

If I were you I would call each or wait it out to see which marina is making the best progress.

[JayO]

You can also call over to Monmouth Cove in Port Monmouth. They have all floating docks and there may be some openings. Electrical power is still out over there.

[BlueDog]

Thanks for the replys guys, I'm gonna start looking hard this week. I figure I'll give Leonardo a shout and take a ride over there. Ive had my boat docked in many marinas around the area, both marinas in keansburg, captains cove in highlands twice, sea venture in highlands last year, ocean view in seabrite, and 2 seasons up the shrewsbury by the 520 bridge. One thing is for sure, I'm not doing the river again, in the summer it's a nightmare with the boat traffic . I fish mostly on the ocean side during the summer and fall so the closer to the hook the better.
Im gonna try All the state run marinas first , I'll see what's doin , and report back...

Art
24 rampage express

[BlueDog]

Does anyone think there will be a shortage of slips though? I feel like a lot of people that lost their boats are gonna get out of boating all together, except for the hardcore fishing types. I think a lot of them will just say screw it and not even bother getting another boat.
I know there's a lot of work to be done , but by June 15 I bet a lot will be done..

[LegalEyes]

When i went down to put my deposit down, keansburg area behind the lock was tight.

[billh]

Art,
I would try Gateway Marina in Highlands. They did not lose a boat during Sandy and whatever damage they had to the working buildings in their marina are all repaired. All the docks are floating with working water and electricity at each slip. Not to forget, they have the best service department (my opinion) of any marina in the area.
Bill

[Gerry Zagorski]

I've also heard good things about Gateway's service department.

[Flygaff]

I'm sure Monmoth Cove will have some open slips. Good clean marina but very pricy. I have been there for the past 11 years and just moved to Leonardo. If Leonardo has open slips they will be open on April 1st. They have water but no power yet. It will be some time before power is restored.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Update on Leonardo... Work boat on site as of 3/27 tearing down the one remaining fixed dock and pulling pilings for the bulheaded slips making room for the new floating docks.

They are currently working on getting the water working and I met an electrician who was sizing up the electric. They will be getting started on that soon but will need to wait until the new floaters are in to complete the work.

There are plans to rebuild the office with batrooms and showers but it's doubtful that will take place this summer. They now have a temporary trailer on site which houses the office and some porta poties.

Lauch ramp still closed and not sure what the plan is to reopen it.

[BlueDog]

I called Leonardo marina on Wednesday , there is a waiting list . I asked them when it might by if I went on the list, the man said end of next season.
Art

[wyldbillnj]

I know Browns Pt has slips and rack available. They're getting along pretty well there.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Update on Leonardo.... About 45 of us in the marina where sent notes letting us know we will be unable to get into our slips on April 1. Our slips are in the construction area where the old fixed dock is being taken out and 2 new floating docks are being put in. They antispate having that work done July by 1st.

People were given the option to get a pro rated refund from 4/1 to 7/1 or for the entire season if they choose not to go in at all. There are a limited number of temporary slips available to those who have been displaced but there are apparently not enough slips for everyone. There also might be an option for those slipsholders who have trailers to store their boats at the marina since the launch ramp is now open.

We should know sometime next week if we are assigned a temporary slip. If not, I just might try and find a temporary slip somewhere else. Very disapointing but on the other hand, a minor inconvience in comparison to what others are going through as a result of all the damage this storm did.

Going to be a very interesting boating season for sure.

[BlueDog]

I'm putting my boat at sea venture marina in highlands , not sure if he has any more slips , but I think captains cove in highlands may. Ask for Fred , it's a bare bones marina that a lot of clammers use.

Art

[Gerry Zagorski]

Update on Leonardo State Marina.... Passed through there today (4/11) and a lot of progress has been made. The old fixed peer has been removed and they started sinking the new pilings for the 2 new floating docks.

Saw some guys working on the electric too but not sure where we are at with water.

Launch ramp open but not sure if the floating dock next to it is in or not.

We were fortuneate enough to be assigned a temporary bulkhead slip unitl the floating docks are completed.

Hope to be in the water and fishing in a few weeks. Can't come soon enough.

Bottom paint, compound and wax and a new windlass and we should be good to go.