Unusual for Harbor Springs: Marinas have open dock space this season

By Kate Bassett
Harbor Light Newspaper

Vibrant shades of blue beckon people back to the waters of Little Traverse Bay summer after summer. The clean, deep harbor—and the town snuggled alongside it— has made having a seasonal dock in Harbor Springs an almost mythical feat. With a waiting list of more than 200 people at the city’s municipal marina, and private docks coveted by almost every boater, the idea of an empty slip anywhere along the waterfront would normally be fodder for a joke.

These are not, however, normal times. For the first season in 14 years, the town’s two private marinas will not enter the summer boating season at capacity.

“We’re down about eight-percent for the season, and the demand for slips is not as high as we’re used to seeing in our area,” said Michael Esposito, president of Irish Boat Shop in Harbor Springs.

Just down the road, Walstrom Marine president David Lyle said his company, too, has found itself in an unusual situation this season.

“We actually advertised for our available slip space, which is something we have not done in more than 14 years,” he said during a recent telephone interview.

Walstrom Marine recently added an additional 20 slips to its marina, which is part of the reason they are seeing open docks, Lyle added.

“We actually filled those 20 new slips with boats, but some of those were moved from other slips in our marina, so we have some 40-foot and 60-foot vacancies to fill.”

Esposito said that in any other port, empty slips are the norm, not the exception in a marina.

“In the real world, most marinas strive to be 94 or 95-percent full, which gives you some flexibility during the season. We’re all just used to operating without that type of cushion.”

Even in the Harbor Springs Municipal Marina, where docks and mooring balls are always at 100-percent capacity, signs of the times showed up on the waiting list.

“We generally don’t have to go through seven names to fill a few empty slips,” said Harbor Commission chairman Jim Bartlett.

Still, Harbor Springs Harbormaster Michael Johnson said the bottom line is that the marina is still full for seasonal slips, and he anticipates plenty of transient boat activity this summer.

“The phone is already ringing off the hook with people wanting to reserve slips,” he said. “While we don’t actually take reservations, I think it is a really good sign that the interest is there.”

Esposito said the empty slips at Irish are those accommodating smaller vessels, perhaps an indication of the down-turned economy.

“I do think there are people choosing not to spend the money, or choosing to spend less (by trailering boats). We’re all in a position of making choices right now, and there is no question that we’re seeing some of that here.”

“It is hard to say, living in Michigan, that the economy isn’t affecting us,” Lyle added. He cited last year’s recordhigh gas prices and a trend of lower lake levels last summer as added reasons the boating industry in general has been struggling.

The news is not all gloom and doom for local marinas, however, with plenty of opportunities to see an increase in boat traffic and sales this season.

“I don’t think we’re in nearly as bad of shape as some would expect. We have a safe harbor, with extremely clean water and a wonderful town to come to, and I think that helps us avoid the fate many marinas around the Great Lakes are currently facing,” Lyle said.

“We’re anticipating a great season. We may not see as many transient boaters, but I think the folks that do come will stay the full seven days. When you have a boat, you want to be in a place like Harbor Springs,” Johnson said.

Esposito agreed.

“There’s lots of good news to share too. Lake levels are up almost a foot. Gas prices are way down and we expect them to stay that way for the summer. And we have open slips,” he added with a laugh, “So it is actually a great time to get into boating.”

This is part of the May 27, 2009 online edition of Harbor Light Newspaper.

Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here.