Too bad they have a monopoly

Gregotis98 · 05-27-2003, 10:44 AM

I'm done with Garibaldi Marina.

Pilar · 05-27-2003, 12:14 PM

What happened Greg? Are the Volkemas as charming and accomodating as I remember? Haven't spent a dime there in recent memory.

CrazyFish · 05-27-2003, 02:25 PM

What happened??

Did you know that the old mill marina is open again?

HawgJaw · 05-27-2003, 02:36 PM

GO98, Did they sell you reserved slip to someone else? That happened to my buddy on Labor day weekend a couple years ago. But hey, they are really good at renting the little crabbing boats. I now buy my bait and ice at the 76 station. HJ

R Jackson · 05-27-2003, 03:12 PM

Greg, did you drag some dirty fish down their new dock?

BOTTOM TIME DIVER · 05-27-2003, 04:16 PM

Do tell us about garabaldi!

I know some locals that grew up there say that garabaldi is hell!

corrirod · 05-27-2003, 05:09 PM

Anybody know if they'd be interested in selling that place? I boycotted them several years. I'd be glad to tell the story of "why" to anyone at the next TA meeting.

I'm serious though, if anyone knows that "(Richard Cranium)" :grin: , I'd be interested. I just despise him so bad I can't talk to him myself.

Gregotis98 · 05-27-2003, 05:46 PM

It's not just one thing, but every time I'm there I remember why I hate this place. They actually did spend some money on the place now. (A) dock has been replaced with a new one, but now they think they have something even more special.

During the halibut opening a boat that was being moored there pulled in and the guys unloaded their fish not knowing that fish may now no longer touch the dock. The fish were taken off the boat and laid on the dock for a total of 1 min. and then were carried up to their truck with the very tip of the tail dragging on the dock. Well Mr. Volkema not knowing what boat they came from asked us if they were with us because "they dragged their dam* fish all they way up my new dock." Earlier when we tied up after fishing the fish counter asked to see our fish, and we started to pull it out then he had this look of terror on his face and said "don't let it touch the dock or this guy will kill me" so he now has to get in your boat to measure the fish. I talked to another counter and made a joke about the dock and it wasn't too funny to him.
This last weekend I launched my boat and the little finger dock was full so I motored over to the end of their dock and waited for my buddy to come back from parking the truck for about 3 min. As soon as my friend got in the boat I noticed Mr. Volkema behind him with a clip board writting down my OR #'s, and I had done absolutely nothing wrong.
These are only a few experiences I've had there and plan on not mooring or buying anything from them again. I've held true to doing the same thing at the Fishery in the gorge and now drive all they way to North Bonneville on the Washington side. I truly am affraid of what might happen if he gives me any more cra*, I have an ok temper but just can't stand the place anymore. Please don't think that I'm acting like a tough guy, because I'm not. I realize he has to put up with some boneheads some of the time, but don't we all. All I want to do is start my day of fishing in a good mood.
Does he have to answer to anyone? Like the Port of Garibaldi, or is he just on his own?

Sensei-san · 05-27-2003, 07:10 PM

Wow!!! And I thought that Garabaldi was charming. They could make a movie of the place and call it "Shining Birds". Sounds like a cross between "The Birds" and "The Shining."

Did Smith Shrimp go out of business? Last I heard the place was up for sale.

05-27-2003, 07:14 PM

In the evenings toss your left over bait on his dock for the sea gulls to eat. They will thank you by leaving a small deposit :shocked: on the docks.

Pilar · 05-28-2003, 06:15 AM

I can't figure out why a guy who hates people would own a marina.

The other thing I cannot figure out is why there are no sea lions in T bay. At other bays they gather on the docks and sink them under the weight.

If they were to start roosting on 'A' dock Mr. Cabeza might wish for fisherman to drag fish up his dock instead. The fur bags would make a mess you would need a fire hose to clean up.

This guy needs to stop and think about his customers. I have not heard a single good thing about the owner of the place for several years.

Bait O' Eggs · 05-28-2003, 07:27 AM

I have seen a lot of complaining about Jeff and Val on ifish and their operation. I have never had a problem with them but know where their is smoke you can usually find fire. All the complaints must be for a reason. :depressed: I will be camped at Tillamook Bay for a week over the 4th of July and expect to be buying ice, fuel etc.. I hope he doesnt get crossways with me :shocked:

I have my thoughts on why people get crossways with Jeff. First off the port has a 4 lane boat ramp and enough dock space for the public for about a single lane boat ramp. It is stressful when you drop your boat off the trailer and have no where to put it and long lines are forming behind you. Boats are coming in, boats are going out and at low tide their is room for about 2 boats on the dock, 4 to 6 when it is high tide. Even if you had a partner that could go motor around the lagoon till you got back from parking the truck, you are SOL because it is cramped quarters between the docks and no room to motor around between the dock.

Everybody sees that big dock along the fuel station and motors over to wait for the truck to get parked or retrieved since the public dock is always full. The big dock with the fuel pump is not public and is private. I suppose the owner thinks everytime a boat touches his dock he should be getting a paying customer either buying gas or bait or chips, moorage etc..... In reality he probably sees his dock being used by ODFW to check fish, people waiting for trailers, etc... and nobody paying him for use of his private property. I doubt 1 in 50 who touch the dock are paying customers.

I think the boaters are stressed with little to no dock space to use, and the Marina doesnt like to provide facilities for free, hence everybody is wound pretty tight before the first words are spoke.

I am guilty of using his dock and not being a customer, but it is kind of like going to the mall to just walk around. I may not be a paying customer this trip, but I will be back later looking for an item I intend to buy.

I have a house in my neighborhood that has put a cable up across the end of his driveway (very residential) because he is tired of the cars that use his driveway to turn around

It is the first driveway that you come to when you realize you turned down the wrong road. I guess he doesnt like his private driveway used by the public, noboby is complaining about his cable that I am aware of.

I am not sure Jeff has the best attitude for the operation he is running, though I havent seen it. I know I would love to own the operation, (at least I think so). Lots of traffic, and the only operation around. Seems to be a good combo for a business. His dock is open usually along the public dock, you would think he could talk the Port into renting some of it from him for the public, but then again the Port put in a 4 lane dock and almost no dock space for the public maybe they dont care. :depressed:

corrirod · 05-28-2003, 07:49 AM

Again, if Jeff wants to sell let me know. I'll figure out some way to get the money!

And of course, discounts on everything for Salty Dogs!

bait boy · 05-28-2003, 07:53 AM

I don't even use the place much, but who in the world has heard of a dock for your boat that you can't put a fish on. c'mon get real... [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Gregotis98 · 05-28-2003, 10:58 AM

I read earlier in the year that the Old Mill channel can't be dredged, is this still true?

Pilar · 05-28-2003, 01:43 PM

Here's a wild hair idea that might solve everybodies problem.

Move the fuel dock to the next one over. Get the Garibaldi Harbor to pay for the move in exchange for the use of what is now 'A' dock as public access. Any boater wanting fuel could just motor over to the next dock.

No conflict = no problem.

This keeps the ramp traffic off of the now moved fuel dock and gives this tiny launch facility some much needed public access. And those fish dragging boaters might even stop at the store for a cold soda, tomorrows bait and a photo. Their kids might want a candy bar or need to rent crab rings or who knows what.

The reason I do not patronize the store is because of the attitude of the owners towards the flatlanders using the ramp and their piggish demeanor. I used to buy my crabbait there but the attitude put me off. Most of the animosity seems to be about 'A' dock.

What do you think?

[ 05-28-2003, 02:44 PM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

Bait O' Eggs · 05-28-2003, 02:12 PM

When the razor wire and NO trespassing signs go up on A dock to keep us all off it, I think the store may flounder. But he wont have any fish staining his new dock.

I have had some nice chats with Jeff/Val on lazy afternoons with no traffic, mid week. I also seen them busting their hump to keep up with all the people coming and going on some weekends. I might have to walk the docks in his shoes to understand.

You would think if people using his dock was the problem, :shocked:

he would have moved the dock West 20 feet and put the rental boats on the ramp side which would make it impossible to motor over to the A dock near the shore end of it. Gas could be pumped off the other side of the same dock. The Marina could string their rentals boats out along the dock blocking access..., it is their dock.

Either way the Port needs more public dock space to make the ramp a quality facility people want to use. I happily pay $6 at Newport because you get facilities with what you pay for. For $3 at Garibaldi, I feel like I am getting ripped off for what I get, the new fish cleaning station (few know about because it is 4 blocks away) is nice though.

R Jackson · 05-28-2003, 02:23 PM

Interesting idea Pilar. Are you talking about moving the fuel to "The Pier" side or the next dock to the South? I was one of the guys fishing with Greg that first halibut weekend and saw the fish dragging thing first hand. Seems like those folks want the foot/boat traffic from the luanch for their store but freak out if someone uses their dock for five minutes.

Pilar · 05-29-2003, 01:03 PM

Sunless ... I was thinking move it towards the direction of the Troller restaurant like 1 dock over. I guess that would be SW about a hundred feet from where it is now. Farther from the ramp in any case.

It is just a huge cluster <unprintable> the way it is now.

SlabQuest · 05-29-2003, 02:34 PM

A guy who can get really cranky and rude is Kelly @ Jetty Fishery.

DriftR · 05-29-2003, 02:37 PM

I have fished out of Garibaldi very little over the years. Never really had a problem with the store owner. It is crowded, but then again what area where fish are available isn't? Having a business is no picnic. Dealing with the general public is not fun. Just ask yourself, "Would you like to open up early and close late? Clean up after the general public who thinks the dock is public service? How about paying for liability insurance, dealing with DEQ on hydrocarbon discharge? What happens if the fish don't show up? The guy pays for a new dock facility and then he has to maintain it while people don't follow the rules. I just think it's a hard way to make a living. Try and put yourself in his shoes with his investment and see if you would act differently. Still no reason for anyone, customer or business owner to have a bad attitude toward each other. If you have a complaint voice it to the owner. Call him up and tell him your opinion or go over to his business and do a face to face talk. If his attitude is good then put it behind you. Then again, if his attitude is bad, don't worry he won't last long at his business. Best rule of thumb is if you don't like it, need it or want to pay for it go somewhere else.