Sleep aboard can be a nice convenience depending on the number in your party and timing of arrivals. Def has advantages over staying in a hotel for reasons Vern mentions. That said, we always try to get loaded and cast off while there's still enough light to make a quick jump over to Peter or Normal for our first night. Earlier this year some of our crew arrived late (around 6pm, I think), but we still had enough light to motor up to Brandywine Bay which we had to ourselves (good holding and there are also 4-5 new-looking mooring balls) . Some years, when we had a very full boat, my brother and I would go down a day early and either sleep aboard or stay in a nearby hotel....provision etc the next day and be ready to cast off as soon as the rest of the crew arrived and had a drink in their hands. I haven't done a sleep aboard for at least 5 years. It used to be ~$150 which was a great deal. I don't know the going rates these days.