Tired worn out marina
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 9/17/07
Reefpoint Marina, once the jewel of the Lake Michigan west shore, after about twenty years of neglect, appears to be in a financial death spiral. The operations look to be driven by the expense line not the revenue.
One could argue that every dock board needs replacement. If not all the boards then certainly the rusting screws that in many cases have popped up as much as an inch to tear at your toe or shoe. The dog droppings aren't an appreciated greeting but are there almost every morning and stay 'til the next rain. Security has not been a serious problem, but is a sometimes thing.
The competition from Kenosha's sparkling new marina has seriously hurt Reefpoint. There have been over two dozen defections from Reefpoint to Kenosha - and this just from the upper end 40 foot+ crowd. WiFi is a joke and is expensive. TV cable-nope. Fuel service- you pump or no fuel. Skipper Bud's, the managers under contract, don't pump fuel. They are afraid of the liability.
The local manager has been seen on the docks a few times this year. The boss may have put some heat on. It won't make much difference, she has no budget. The combination of almost 500 empty slips, low water levels and maybe clearer water caused by zebra mussels has brought on a very serious problem with weed growth. If you wander into the grass with our outboard powered dinghy you may have to paddle to get out. Many have learned the value of the intake strainers on their boats. If making a visit, be sure to get a "clean" slip assignment. This is a serious problem that Skipper Bud's has done little about. They won't say that. But the evidence is there. One (1) herbicide treatment earlier in the year (2007) and in early September a pathetic effort - two men breaking their backs, armed with swimming pool cleaning tools and two marina carts dragging grass from a few slips. This job is a big one and requires some serious effort and equipment. Probably won't happen.
Why is it that Sister Bay, WI, Luddington, MI, Frankfort, MI and so many other marinas have such up beat helpful employees on the docks? In contrast, Reefpoint loses its seasonal workers in August and all the work is left to two or three good long time employees and whatever part time help can be secured. Recruiting, wage and training issues?
The good news! A new iteration of the marina restaurant. Spinnakers. The new consessionaire is giving it her best. Unless you want really loud stay out of "Smoking". Get reservations in Non-smoking. Good food. Good bar. There are very few well trained service people in Racine restaurants. But these wait people try and have a cheerful attitude. Good menu. The marina is still walking distance to Waves, Salute' and several other places to eat. A bunch of boaters wandering around downtown should feel comfortable. Reefpoint still has a lot to offer but is going to have to reverse course to stay a home port or destination of choice. That will be difficult to do with today"s boater interest diminished by the oil driven increases in costs. We'll see.