harm that will be done to existing facilities by a new installation competing for patronage is 

 usually short lived. Enough new craft will usually be purchased by families living in the 

 market area to make up for lost patrons at existing harbors within a short time. 

 Nevertheless, a statistical survey of boats registered within the market area should be made 

 to determine whether the ratio of boats to population is nearing the saturation level by a 

 comparison with other strong boating-oriented communities in a similar environment. 



In any area or situation where a real question exists concerning the types and numbers of 

 craft that will be attracted to a new installation, the market analysis becomes the most 

 important feature of a feasibility study. If the proposed facility is fairly large, an economic 

 consultant specializing in market analysis should be engaged to assess the market potential. 

 An economist will frequently have better sources of information than the developer, and 

 because of his training and experience can easily obtain the necessary data to better judge 

 the true meaning of the final assemblage of statistics. The analysis will be interpreted in 

 terms of probable numbers of different types of craft coming to the new facility shortly 

 after opening, and the annual increase in patronage to be expected. This information is vital 

 to determine the proper phasing of the various components of the facility. It will ensure 

 that no components are built in the initial effort only to be idle for several years and 

 deteriorate before actually needed. 



Another objective of the market analysis is to determine the ancillary facilities, both to 

 satisfy the needs of the boating patrons and to provide additional revenue for the developer. 

 In many areas the going scale of slip-rental rates is so low that the marina management must 

 rely on ancillary facihties for an adequate net return on the overall investment. Here again, 

 the economic consultant is best prepared to evaluate the ancillary -facihties potential of the 

 installation. A Uttle imaginative forethought along these lines coupled with an objective 

 analysis of available statistics will often result in a flourishing complex of facilities and 

 activities in an area that might otherwise become devoted to a purely boating enterprise that 

 must struggle for economic existence. A perusal of the case histories in Section VIII will 

 readily demonstrate this point. 



h. Predesi^n Planning. As soon as basin dimensions, channel requirements, and 

 protective structure needs are determined by analysis of the geophysical characteristics of 

 the site and consideration of the numbers and types of craft to be accommodated, the 

 actual planning of the installation can begin. In the preliminary feasibihty stage, this 

 planning is carried only to the point necessary to prepare a valid construction cost estimate 

 with schematic layout drawings and sketches to convey to cognizant permit-approving 

 agencies and prospective financing institutions a fairly clear idea of what is intended. It must 

 also show the numbers of boats to be accommodated and locations of all proposed support 

 and ancillary facilities. 



It is customary at this stage to show aU reasonably valid alternative layout schemes and 

 to present a brief analysis of each, leading to the selection of the best plan. Consideration of 



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