What do you miss in usual marina-webs?

[fernando88]

Hello,
The government of the Spanish region of Asturias wants to unify the management of its 24 Marinas as well as to offer a better service and more information for foreign visitors through a common web page. I am in charge of making a previous study to detect what information and what services would cruisers appreciate more. I would be very thankful if you post any kind of comments and suggestions on how your ideal marina-web should look like, for instance: - I want to book a berth in advance, - the web should include references on hotels and restaurants, - it should inform on side-seeing, - the web should be accessible through the mobile phone, -I want to know the local time, ….
Thanks,

[sander06]

Transportation is a biggy for most cruisers. Are there bikes available? What kind of public transportation? How about a courtesy car provided by the marina. What are the closest stores for groceries and boat parts?

A "real" photo of the docks would be nice since some marinas have absolutely hopeless docks. Power, water, TV cable, and telephone availability would also be nice.

[fernando88]

Thanks Sander06, in fact in some major cities like Gijón bikes are available for free, but we never thought about linking this service with the marina. The other points are also interesting. Good suggestion! Thanks

[sailingdog]

Also, what kind of stores are nearby is important. Grocery stores/supermarkets, marine chandleries, etc, are often important to visiting cruisers who may need food, parts or supplies.

[labatt]

For me, I'd like to have detailed information on the approach to the marina and detailed dock charts, labeled with any identifying information. For the approach, an enlarged chart with lines showing the safest approach is appreciated, along with depths for the approach. Often, the charts will show shallow depths around a marina, and then a channel going into the marina, and I have no idea what the depth of the channel is. For the dock layout, as previously mentioned, a photograph is helpful since I can see how much room there is to maneuver based on the sizes of the boats in their slips. If each slip has a number, some way of identifying which way the numbers go is helpful. For example, if "D dock" has slips 100-120, with even numbered slips on one side and odd numbered slips on the other, putting the numbers on the photograph is very helpful. I like to figure out EXACTLY where I'm going and how much room there is to maneuver before I get there - no surprises.

I will ALWAYS pick a marina with less services but more detailed information regarding approach and depths over a marina that I don't have any knowledge of maneuvering in.

I appreciate the survey - it's not often that the boating community is contacted with regards to this type of information.

[camaraderie]

I want to know:
1. Navigation and depth info on approaches to marina.
2. Phone number for reservations and VHF standby channel and operating hours.
3. About the marina facilities...clean bathrooms, hot showers, cable TV, internet, good water and fuel, laundry, power hookup info., floating or fixed docks, on site restaurants, services for repair, chandlery etc.
4. About the nearby area: transportation, what is within walking distance, provisioning, restaurants, banking/ATM's, tourism opportunities.
5. Any customs/immigration issues if arriving from another country OR from another port within the same country.
5. Marina Rates for transient dockage/electric/water as well as for longer term if available as well as any standard service fees if the marina is a working repair yard as well (i.e. haulout per ft., labor rates, etc.)
6. Lots of pictures!


Thank you for asking and good luck!

[vega1860]

Am I the only one that arrives with dirty laundry?
Need to know where the nearest laundry facility is. Not all marinas have them. Everything else has been pretty much covered by others.

[thesnort]

....and have a literate native speaker of the language with good writing skills write it.

[fernando88]

Thanks everyone for your tips. As soon as the web is ready I'll post it.
Fernando