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2007 MEMBERSHIP SURVEY - Member Comments

Please read the following unedited comments by all respondents to get your own feel for their support and understanding of the issues.

·        Should consider PC wireless communication.

·        Must consider holding tank pump-out facilities. This requirement could be handled by the boat owner with a security lock for member only.

·        As far as ? # 17. find out how many docks we use currently and see how many docks we need  after final # of club docks then tell the state how many we need to reserve.

·        We love our club!! Keep it the same level that it is now no more no less. Remember we are first Boaters, not bartenders, pool guys, clubhouse managers, but boaters: that is what brings us all together at beautiful MBIYC.

·        I'm not clear on question #16. My complete answer is 1 free night/day per season and $15/night after that.

·        In my opinion, having an adaquate number of transient docks is very important.  I don't believe it is possible for MBIYC dock holders to support and maintain a club house and facilities without the other members having access to the docks.  Now, on many weekends the state docks are all reserved so docking at the state marina is not an option.  My experience with the current dock system has been Friday morning we radio MBIYC and ask if there any docks available.  We are told that the dock situation will not be know until after 2:00 PM.  We then will here other members call on the radio and ask for a dock they are told to take the same dock that they had last weekend.  So it appears that the dock policy is really "who you know." We are also members of PIBYC and The Crew's Nest so we usually just go to PIB.  If we waited til 2:00pm and did not get a dock at MBIYC we probably would not be able to get a dock anywhere and would be heading back to spend the weekend at our home dock.    

·        Let's make sure we don't put a 40 foot boat in a 30 foot dock. I know people come in to dock for the weekend but boats bigger than the docks make it hard for permanent dock members to get in and out of the marina. Transient members should pay the same rate as a state dock rental. I pay for my yearly dock rental, so other members should pay to dock also - no matter how long their stay.

·        I believe many of our members never visit the club, they like being a member to travel and if you raise the dues too high you loose this free money.

·        I believe $15 a day rental is too cheep for transients, as this is cheaper that being a renter. We need to keep permemant rates lower than transient rates, because perm rates provide stable cash flow and we want to encourage this. If transient rates get too low compared with renters no one will rent a seasonal dock.

·        Showers and restroom, where will the State Park's facilities be in proximity to us, can we use their facilities cheaper than building out own? Or at least use State shower and keep our bathroom trailer for parties.

·        Work fee is too low, it basicall y cost me $25 roundtrip on the ferry to come and work. I would support lower dues to $75 increasing work fee to $125. That way more people come out and help.

·        Instead of a bond, what about endowed or lifetime memberships based on age younger people pay more older people pay less? So I am 37 assume I would get  25 years and charge $2,500. 

·        Instead of a club house that requires more maintence, I like building a nice shelter house with overhead doors all the way around and a small section at one end with some kitchen equipment like the one in Graytown, Ohio ( I would build MBIYC bigger though).

·        Question 16. also a rate equal to the current State Park rate less .25 per foot.

·        We need to be a full service yacht club so that we become a destination for other yacht clubs.

·        I can only imagine the challenges that the coming changes present to MBIYC.  I am confident that the Board and Members will continue the tradition of being the great place that it has come to be known.

·        I am a relatively recent member and I doubt I would ever be in a position to require a dock so my comments probably are a reflection of this perspective.

·        Facilities: Certainly one of the charming aspects of the club is it is not like so many “land based” clubs with air conditioned glass panelled facilities.  I think if I wanted that I would go and spend my weekends and summers at a Holiday Inn.  

1.      The “open air” showers and gazebo are truly unique and are what make MBIYC so special. 

2.      The wooden walk ways and tall grass give a serene atmosphere that blends so well with the charm of Middle Bass Island.

3.      Maybe a small dingy dock area  so members who anchor out can dinghy in. Perhaps just a wooden ramp at the end of a fairway would do just fine..

4.      Keep the dockage policy as it stands

·        So what would I do?

1.      Build a larger gazebo.

2.      Build 3 “open to the sky” showers. 

3.      Keep the walkway concept. 

4.      Dingy ramp 

5.      Keep Middle Bass like Middle Bass, let Port Clinton do the plate glass club routine. 

·        The lighting at the State Park Marine is a catastrophe. It makes the whole place resemble a prison.  Serves only to attract flies and pests at night.  Why anyone would wish to spend an evening sleeping on their boat in the glare of those lights escapes me.  If I wanted to dock under lights I tow my boat to center field in Tiger Stadium.  I suspect the club will lose members if that should come to pass.  When I asked the State Park about the lights they told me it was for security.  I was not aware Middle Bass was such a dangerous place (sic).   I know of no other place with such atrocious lighting.

·        No large fancy swanky club house.  Unlike land based clubs there would be little chance for any significant weekday or winter usage.  The concept would be out of tune with the rural charm of Middle Bass and the surrounding area.

-         Jet Ski Transient day-docks should be considered. 

-         Equity memberships should be considered as an option so that members could recover some of their investment in the new facility when they decide to non-renew and new members could also be expected to buy into the club to help cover some of the capital investment required to build the facility.   

-         We ahve a property on the mainland and see the MBIYC as a day, evening  (dinner) or weekend or evening destination.

·        Many clubs offer reciprocal days to ILYA members.  We have benefited from this part of our membership.  I think we need to consider 1 free day and then $1/ft. after.

·        I have a 23' center console Robalo.  I use your transient dock facilities 5-10 times per year and my family also has a permanent house on the north shore since the 30's.  I am one of the few that did not want to see this new marina and state park due to the concern of what it will do to our nice quiet island!  I hope this all works out with a minimum of problems for our island.

·        The survey format does not provide for a per foot dock fee and a free night/2 nights per season for members but I think this formula should be considered since we will reciprocate with I-LYA clubs in a similar manner. HOWEVER,  per foot dock fees are a must because a small contingent of members will always be trying to get in free which would not be fair to other members.

·        I think a reservation system should be an ablsolute requirement because as the club becomes more of a destination club, those of us who would be traveling a long distance (60-80 miles) to visit the club will want a guarantee of dock space upon arrival.

·        With respect to the clubhouse, showers, restrooms, etc. I think this survey is an important beginning.  HOWEVER, the members charged with the responsibility of designing the physical improvements should also BEGIN WITH THE NICEST PLAN POSSIBLE with all of the bells and whistles including wireless internet access, outdoor patios with awnings, a galley with the ability to have catered affairs, member run cook-outs, etc. and provide a cost estimate for construction of this type of facility, present this program to the membership including the anticipated costs of borrowing, required bank payments, cost of operation including insurance, utilities, reserves for repairs/replacements, etc. If we begin with the minimum niceties, that's all the membership will support.  The development program MUST stretch the imagination of what MBIYC can be, not the minimum of what the members will accept.  YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE TO DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.  After that, changes will be expensive!!!!

·        When this progam is completed, additional surveys should be taken to determine the members willingness  to pay for various items based on known costs upfront and per month.  Likewise, each element/function of the proposal should have a "if deleted" price so that various items can be addressed based on potential costs more effectively.  In this manner, we will get a better feel for exactly how much members will truly pay for. Finally, if we don't have sufficient cash on hand and bond money, the balance of need monies needs to be shopped to several banks for loan purposes.

·        Really last, the lease with the state MUST BE LONGER THAN 25 YEARS, even if it has payment adjustments periodically.  The club would be investing significant money to develop this progam and such a brief lease makes it not economically feasible.  If the club were to agree to periodic increase in the ground rent, the length of the lease shouldn't matter to the state.   Our danger is putting our money in place and having the ground lease cancelled in 25 years for any reason whatsoever.   IN FACT, ground leases in real estate very typically run for 99 years. As with the proposed clubhouse and even more importantly on this issue, WE ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE TO GET IT RIGHT.

·        The value of the club to members will be the facilities available to members and transient boaters, a  quality facility attracts quality members and keeps them.  Caution in planning: Middle Bass has a short season and limited seasonal access to the club facility.  Example: mainland clubs that have restaurants are accessible year around.  Also, it is best to support the local restaurants on the Island at this time, they need our support.  We must make the club a very attractive, unique place to visit. 

·        Most important: keep the club a safe, fun place to visit and members and friends will want to continue  coming to the Island.  Also, keep the club attractive to Island residents since they already have a major vested interest in the Island.

·        Great survey!

·        I am an infrequent visitor to MBIYC but fully support all efforts, and cost, to make MBIYC a first class facility.  We would definitely use the transient privileges of the club more frequently with improvements.  My wife will not visit or stay at MBIYC with the current facilities - even just staying on the boat. 

·        Whatever improvements you make - budget and build them all at the same time and lay out and detail member costs accordingly.  Cheaper to do at one time and a 10-15 mortgage - if necessary - seems reasonable.

·        As for #10: Would consider larger amount if the Club is basically kept within the same format as todays.

·        As for #16: No free docage to anyone!  Officers, Chairperson of committees doing business that day would be the exception only.

·        We are brand new members this year, so some of our answers are a little tentative.  We have been to MBIYC with other members several times over the last few years and look forward to participating as a member.

·        The directors should remember that most of the membership are members because of what we have today. I'm sure that many members would like a club house, but many would not if they would have to support it. We could drop in membership and that would reduce the fee income and dues would have to be increased and so on. For my own needs, I like the club the way it is, but I'm sure that many would like to see the inprovements.

·        Thank you for the opportunity to give our opinions.

·        As a member I am willing to continue to pay $15/20 per day per visit, however, as a member/transient with no dock, I do not feel I need to pay a standard overnight fee that is charged at other marina's, there should be some consideration for being a member of MBIYC in good standing.

·        #9 Charge New members a higher initiation fee for membership with all these new improved changes.  Also reinstated members a fee that have dropped and want re-entry (re-instated fee)   #16 Why have a yacht club docking if you charge the same or higher that the state for dockage fees?   Looking forward to a Great Last Celebrator Year! To the New and Improved MBIYC

·        You put together  a very good survey!

·        Regarding docks, keep same pricing and reservation rules.  Improve restrooms and showers.  Provide either a shelter such as the current one, but somewhat larger or a nice, but not elaborate clubhouse. Secure storage for tools, equipment, bikes, etc should be provided.

·        I think the club should utilize their borrowing power to complete most of the improvements, thus minimizing loss of present members with much higher dues and/or assessments.

·        if building a clubhouse is approved by membership,combining this with the showers,restrooms, and picnic shelter (with grills) under one roof would make sense.

·        I feel this club has done real well with out clubhouses and pools for a long time. We were a basic club that did a good job of making are own good times. It is still going to be a club with only part time use, being that it is on an island.  So why make big $ changes when what we have done worked so well.

·        Basically, we are happy with the current leadership and policies of the club.  With additional docks after the remodel, more boating members can utilize the club without the problem of limited dockage on special weekends.  Keep the dockage policies simple to understand and with uniform enforcement.

·        Put combinations for restrooms,clubhouse+phone#for dockmaster on membership card. Have dock master stay a little latter on weekend nights.

·        other ilya members should pay same as state dock-we pay ful price when we go to other clubs and they welcome us in a friendly manner as we should !      dock reservations should stay as they are  the last few years it has worked fine    after two free nights members should pay half of state dock price       you need to do these things to encourage members to stay and get new members  isour membership not down !

·        In order to answer item 8, more information with regard to size and interior amenities of such a facility is needed before we can give an opinion on how much to spend--certainly since it will be on leased land, it should be a utilitarian, not posh, high end luxury facility.  For item 9, we would like to see dues remain at $100 but would support dues of up to $200 if financially necessary to cover the club budget.  In order to answer items 10 & 11, more financial info on cost to construct the proposed facility is needed.  We would prefer a Club issued bond over an assessment.  We are on the dock waiting list but probably will never lease a dock but we like having the option in case our situation might change in the future.  Not sure what you mean on item 17--would this be a program like the state runs where you can reserve a dock months in advance (not in favor of that) or simply that you can call in the day before & reserve a dock (maybe O.K. but in our case we are generally free to show up a day early in order to get a dock for a busy holiday weekend & that is sufficient for us).

·        The important thing is to focus on getting back in business after the state reopens the marina.  Once folks see the results they will want to participate.  I think the members who hang in there during the quiet period should get some benefit over the members who join after the club is back in business and looking good.

·        We recommend increasing price for parties, and incent people to help with club activities. By raising hourly rate, you will get the support.

·        If we get membership back to 600, there should be enough funds to finance our simple needs.  Remember this club is based on an island and access to it is limited very much by season and weather.  Our past success may be due to the simplicity, not having high dues, and not imposing strict regulations.  Just comon sense and safety rules. 

·        It does not seem that question 16 has an appropriate set of answers. One glaring omission is: no charge to an MBIYC club member provided a dock is open. One of the things we should strive to do is make the facilities of the club available to as many members as possible.  There are probably too many unknowns with regard to what the actual costs will be to maintain the club on the island to be able to give sound answers to 'what charges are appropriate'. For example, what will the State charge MBIYC for lease, utilities, etc. How are dues used now to cover (any) of these costs. It is difficult to say what reason fees should be without know what the actual costs are.

·        Would there be a guest dock available?

·        A more member-friendly dock reservation system.  Maybe computer generated first come basis on the website.

·        If the club is going to build a clubhouse, the club should own the land.  Why not purchase the Bretz land across the road from the marina.  The club can work out a lease for the dock space with the state.  In the long run I believe this would work better.

·Please do NOT let the State rip us off for the docks and amenities that we already had.  They'll do it if we let them.

·        Make sure it's dredged deep enough for a draft of 6 foot keel.

·        Because MBIYC is already paying rent, I feel strongly that members should get special consideration when renting transient dockage.

·        Location, location, location.  You have it.  Please do not waste a property that could be one of the best on the lake.  While boating to Maine we stayed at some beautiful clubs and as a guest, including Buffalo Yacht Club.  THINK BIG.

·        Keep it a beer club!!   What about the property across the street?  Keep it affordable.  It would have been easier if finavncial info such as bank account balance was supplied.  It's required to fill out this form.

·        Please contimue to allow members an area to tie up small watercraft such as jet skis or dinghys.  Not fee please!

·        Re transient fee:  1 or 2 nights free then charge.  After all we give non-members in I-LYA free nights.  Give our members free nights.  No free nights to transient I-LYA members.  Let's give them 1 night @30 2nd night $35.  I understand we then will need to pay when we go totheir port.  Re reservations:  We need to fill docks first.  Re general comments:  More e-mails on weeekly in summer basis tofill docks in 2009.  My brother is a vocational teacher in Tiffin.  He sail he would bring up a bus load of kids from class to help construct ne clubhouse as a class project.  Need to be apporved by school 1st.

·        I think restrooms and showers are very important.  The way to start would be to build them, then add a picnic shelter w/a small kitchen and roll-down canvas sides that could be enclosed permanently at a later time, then another picnic shleter w/canvas sides to be enclosed permanently at anothe later time, and design the whole thing so it could be added to as needed and funds available.

·        Would rather see an increase in dues than increasing work hours.  Although some percentage of the membership would drop, the total dues income would likely increase.  The additional revenue stream could then be used (at least in part) to reduce the work hour load with additional hired help.  We come to MBIYC to relax and enjoy the company of other boaters, not to work.  An assessment of $100 for 5 years, even with a drastic drop in membership, would provide funds to build a facility that would give us restrooms, showers and a nice shelter house for summertime use.  I can't resist adding this:  we need to have a shower with a retractable skylight to emulate what we have today!

·        Anything requiring maintenance should be kept to a minimum as it is an expensive weekend for most people to visit the club to primarily do maintenance duties.