NATCHEZ ON THE WATERFRONT 17


Replacing pontoons is undoubtedly the most common undertaking in retrofitting, but here again, it’s important to keep in mind what kind of boat and boater you wish to and can attract. Since boats have typically been getting longer, wider and deeper, it’s not surprising that many facilities will look towards accommodating larger boats – and that does often make sense, but (it seems there’s always a ‘but’) whether this actually makes sense and just how big you can go will involve many factors, the most basic of which are water depths, navigation and having adequate room to provide a


meaningful layout. In most cases, it almost goes without saying that accommodating larger boats will reduce the total number of boats at the facility and it has often amazed me that facilities will reach for a boat size that does not work with the navigation channel leading to them. At the same time, I should note that taking advantage of your navigation channel to provide the big fairway needed for the bigger boats is often one way to accommodate them, or more of them, without having to internalise those fairway widths. Those who dream of having 80 to 100 to 300 ft long


boats in their marina when there is only 4 ft of water at low tide will have to do some serious thinking about the considerable expense involved with both overcoming the regulatory hurdles (assuming they can be overcome) and the actual dredging.


Payback period When it comes to the pontoons themselves, we’ve found that upgrading them can often lead to a five to ten year payback period. There are lots of variables to consider, but the returns are there for those who really want to upgrade. There are lots of improvements in all of the


technologies, each with their own attributes and pricing, as well as disadvantages. Concrete floats are usually a more expensive option and can be helpful in exposed storm conditions, but require maintenance – some more than others, but other approaches in quiet harbours have desirable sturdiness and can be less expensive and more versatile. It basically depends on what are the most important requirements. Once again, an outside review can assist in helping make these determinations. Many are intrigued with hardwoods such as Ipe, Greenheart and others. They can be an attractive option, though they are usually more costly


MARINA INDUSTRY • JUNE 2020


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