I am the newest Express dry-sailer at the Alameda Marina. The current cost is $78/month. You may already know this but you do not have to take the mast down when your store, put in nor take out. I agree with the others that it takes aboaut 20 minutes to put in and take out . I too can do it by myself.

I have both dry sailed and wet sailed a J/24. The bigest advantage of wet sailing is that you can be off and on your way in 5 minutes. The disadvantages is the berthing cost (over $150/month), the bottom paint (slow) and its maintenance and the weekly cost to have a diver clean the slime ($2/foot).

I have not heard of any problems with theft nor vandalism in the many, many years I have been in and around the Alameda Marina except for outboards that were taken off transoms every now and then. I keep mine inside so, no problem. The Alameda Marina also has a wash down area.

George

::
:: Brickyard Cove Marina is $90/month . . . and they have
:: Hyster battery operated trucks to get the boat back and
:: fourth from the hoist . . . and multiple boat wash areas
:: unlike Alameda Marina.
::
:: YC storage is fine . . . if you can handle some of the
:: YC groupioes . . . but costs a whole lot more adding
:: monthly dues and house/bar minimums.
::
:: :: Treasure Island sailing center is a great place to dry
:: :: sail out of. Details are at www.tisailing.org. It is an
:: :: excellent location, very close to bay racing locations.
:: :: I never use the engine sailing out of TI. It's $110/mo
:: :: for a keelboat.
:: ::
:: :: Hoisting is easy--takes about 15-20 minutes max each way
:: :: and can be done with two people (or even with one, but
:: :: that takes a little longer...)
:: ::
:: :: Long run, dry sailing is a big money-saver, as you never
:: :: have to deal with bottom paint.
:: ::
:: ::
:: :: :: I am considering buying an express 27 and I have some
:: :: :: questions on the concept and practice of dry sailing the
:: :: :: boat. I am not new to the sport. I had an International
:: :: :: Falkboat for about five years, was primary crew on the
:: :: :: old IOR 1/2Toner “Sorcerer” for some fifteen years. I
:: :: :: have Pacific Cup, Oakland/Catalina race, and more
:: :: :: windjammers, and OYRA stuff then I can shake a stick at,
:: :: :: but I have literally no experience with dry sailing.
:: ::
:: :: :: Where can I find yards to keep the boat with launching
:: :: :: facilities? Is there a list? I prefer the
:: :: :: Alameda/Oakland Estuary area but I am flexible. What do
:: :: :: dry storage costs look like, and what would the
:: :: :: launching fees be? Would it be better to join a club
:: :: :: with these resources, and if so which would you suggest?
:: :: :: Then the questions about rig set-up and take-down in
:: :: :: terms of technique, man power, and time, are enough to
:: :: :: make wonder if there is a good book on the subject.
:: ::
:: :: :: Clearly, any information you may have that would point
:: :: :: me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.
:: :: ::
:: :: :: Thanx in advance,