Mid-August View on Occoneechee Marina Shows Lots of Empties
At the peak of summer, a lot of empty spaces, more commonly called boat slips, remain empty at the Occoneechee State Park Marina on Kerr Lake at Clarksville. Having viewed the marina about a month ago, KLPW found that most of the boats at the docks seem to be longer term rentals as most showed up again in last week’s photos.
Summer camping, especially during the week, is usually more sparse at Occoneechee State Park. Although waterfront from many vantage points, the park is a non-swimming park primarily due to steep and very rocky shorelines. Because of that, many campers were excited as the marina was being developed but soon lost that excitement.
Steep rental prices, which many overnight campers find prohibitive if not offensive, may be the cause of so many vacancies in the second year operation. The overnight rate for docking is $36, nearly $10 over the nightly camping fee for a family. Yearly rental which ranges from $1,200 to $1,750 is more in line with other marinas on Kerr and nearby lakes.
Kerr Lake Park Watch has gone on record as opposed to the excessively high overnight rates because of its direct affect on campers. Several campers interviewed last week noted that they have boats and that they keep them on trailers or do not bring them because of what they consider exorbitant marina overnight rates. One camper, who requested his name be withheld said “he would rather rot” than pay the marina slip fee.
The marina, in its second year of operation, was built with a price tag of around $1.5 million.
Kerr Lake Park Watch has gone on record as opposed to the excessively high overnight rates because of its direct affect on campers. Several campers interviewed last week noted that they have boats and that they keep them on trailers or do not bring them because of what they consider exorbitant marina overnight rates. One camper, who requested his name be withheld said “he would rather rot” than pay the marina slip fee.
The marina, in its second year of operation, was built with a price tag of around $1.5 million.