TABLE 15

RENTAL

MOORAGE TYPES DEMANDED

BY COAST GUARD REGISTERED BOATS-1966

The types of rental moorage facilities demanded by the public should be given close attention in evaluating the type of moorages needed to overcome moorage deficits. Examination should be made of the existing numbers of wet and dry facilities shown in Table 11 in light of the indicated public demand through the questionnaire survey for these types of moorages. The high demand for covered moorage, particularly during the winter months, is reflected in Table 15, which shows permanent covered moorage demand rising from 62.6 percent in summer to 85.5 percent in winter

The percentage of boaters indicating permanent covered wet moorage demand appears to be constant from summer to winter. However, there is a marked change from summer to winter for other types of permanent moorages. Open wet moorage demand drops from 32.2 to 14.1 percent, and covered dry moorage demand rises from 20.4 to 43.5 percent. The seasonal drop from summer to winter in open moorage demand and rise in covered moorage demand is also reflected in the percentages shown for temporary moorage use. This partially explains why at Shilshole Bay Marina, which supplies open wet moorage only, the occupancy rate of nearly 100 percent in summer drops to 80 percent or less in winter.

If winter moorage needs shown in Table 14 are viewed as requirements for all year protected moorages or small boat harbors, then approximately three small boat harbors are required in the North Division, 5 in the Central Division, and 5 in the West Division, providing one harbor for each subarea where more than 200 new moorages are needed. Two small boat harbors are suggested for subarea 7 where over 2700 additional moorages are needed.

A survey of large and small marinas located in the study area, revealed an average of 3 feet of shoreline for every moorage provided by a marina for both wet and dry moorages. Assuming this value to be valid for

new marina developments, the Puget Sound area winter need of 11,579 moorages would dictate the need for approximately six miles of additional shoreline. Future Moorage Needs

Future need for moorage facilities were computed on the assumption that the demand in each Division would increase in proportion to the increase in total pleasure craft. In addition, future seasonal demand distribution for moorage facilities was considered to remain at the current relative proportions as were the percentages of the public making use of rental moorage facilities in each location. On this basis, the Puget Sound area summer demand by 1980 is projected at 57,400 moorages. Of these, 12,000 will be in the North Division, 33,200 in the Central Division, and 12,300 in the West Division. Projected summer moorage needs by Division for 2000 and 2020 are shown in figure 18 and projections for winter rental moorage needs are shown in figure 19.

Moorage Development Potential

Many of the existing marinas can increase their moorage capacities to meet the needs of the boating public. Summer moorage needs can easily be met in a number of locations where only additional floats are required to provide wet moorage. However, supplying the winter moorage needs involves greater capital investment since the majority of boaters demand covered facilities for their craft. New small boat harbors along the shoreline of Puget Sound will require expensive breakwater protection and the acquisition of high value waterfront property to provide the necessary parking and backup areas. During the course of the small boat study the entire 2350 mile shoreline of the Puget Sound area was examined to locate sites where new marine facilities could be constructed. Shoreline areas appearing feasible for development were noted after considering approach depths, dredging requirements, land access, parking area, and beach material composition. Office studies were made of the wind and wave conditions at sites found from field reconnaissance to merit consideration for marina or launching site development. Approximately 200 miles of shoreline were found to be potentially suitable for development. Sites considered suitable for development, subject to detailed studies, are shown in figures 20, 21, and 22.

In the future, with several interests competing for sites suitable for development, the boating public may find marinas going to more dry moorage. As favorable shoreline becomes scarce, developments will be constructed to accommodate more boaters on less shoreline than at present. It seems possible that future dry moorage facilities may be patterned after the multilevel parking garages serving automobile needs in congested cities.

Existing Boat Ramps

The 185 trailer boat launching ramps, located throughout the study area, have been constructed by state, county, city, and port agencies as well as private developers (figures 23, 24, 25 and 26). Use of publicly owned ramps is normally free of charge while the private ramps require a fee from $1 to $2 to launch. About half of the ramps are under public ownership. Table 16 lists the number of ramps in each subarea in terms of equivalent lanes allowing simultaneous launchings of craft.

Existing Boat Hoists

The future needs for launching ramps could undoubtedly be filled by the installation of hoists at some locations. Existing boat launching hoists are shown in figures 27, 28, 29, and 30.