Marina fees could discourage yachties

Nelson risks being shunned by foreign yachties because of skyrocketing fees at its marina, some boaties say.

They are annoyed by a 20 per cent increase in mooring fees for visiting yachts, saying the price hike is not warranted and Nelson's reputation in boating circles could suffer.

The Nelson City Council, which operates Nelson Marina, defended the fee rise.

Canadian couple Mark and Fraser Carpenter said the council was fleecing foreign yachties.

The Carpenters arrived in Nelson in January for a major refit of their 11m research yacht Joshua, but from July 1 their mooring fees increased from $15 to $18 a day.

If the Carpenters moored at the Nelson Marina for a year it would cost them $6480 in visitors fees, while a yachtie permanently moored there would pay an annual licence of $2156 plus GST.

It is understood some boaties with permanent berths were also upset about fee increases.

Yachtie Dick Morris was also concerned about the "financially aggressive" costs.

"It doesn't take a lot of wit to see that if the marina were at relatively low charges it would attract many, many more (boaties) and it's the people in the main street that benefit the shops," Mr Morris said.

Mr Morris uses Nelson as a base, paying visitor fees, but said the increase meant he would go cruising for longer periods.

The council's community projects manager Andrew Petheram said the fee increase was the first in four years and was comparable to what other marinas or camping grounds charged.

Mr Petheram said the marina facilities were not designed for long-term stays or "people who want to live here cheaply" and there were only a limited number of berths available for them.

- nzpa