Marina Checklist Thread - What to look for

[CaptainFredGreenfield]

Here's what I've come up with so far. I'm trying to compile a complete checklist, but I already posted this one. Anyone have some more to look for? I've slated this one for typical US/So Cal marinas.

1. Is there adequate parking?
2. Is it a security Marina? Do they have a security guard at night?
3. Are Gangways locked or can anybody walk the docks day and night?
4. Are there night lights in the parking lot and on the docks?
5. How clean are the Men's and Women's rest rooms?
6. Are there showers available in the rest rooms?
7. How far will you have to walk from your car to your boat?
8. Are there enough dock carts? What kind of shape are they in?
9. Are there adjacent restaurants/cafes/convenience stores/fuel docks/bars?
10. Is there a sanitation pump out station in the marina to dump your porta potti and your holding tank?
11. Are the dock boxes big enough?
12. Can you leave your hose coiled up around your own hose bib?
13. Is there adequate power at your slip for your boat. 30amp, 50amp? Is electricity usage charged extra?
14. Can you get satellite TV?
15. Is there a dinghy rack for each finger/are they full?
16. Is there a garbage can on each dock?
17. Is there a Dumpster for your use?
18. Does the marina have storage lockers for your extra gear?
19. Is there a lot of bird droppings on the docks/ dinghys/boats/cars in parking lot?
20. Is there doggy doo in the planter areas or parking lot?
21. Are there a lot of noisy kids running around on the weekends?
22. Are there many derelict boats in the same size slips you will be leasing?
23. Are there live aboard slips available?
24. Is there a laundry facility in the marina?
25. Will the office occasionally accept and sign for packages or deliveries sent to you?
26. Is there a yacht club nearby that you could join?
27. Do the other boaters in the marina seem friendly?
28. Are the docks and fingers well maintained and in good condition?
29. Are there adequate means of tying up? Secure Dock Cleats or Pilings in good condition?
30. How congested are the Fairways? How much room do you have to maneuver in and out of your slip.
31. Is it well protected from open waters? Swells? Adequate sea protection?
32. How close are you to open sailing grounds?
33. Is there a laundry?
34. Is there a Pool?
35. Is there a book/chart exchange?
36. What is the ratio of power to sail?
37. Can you clean fish on the docks?
38. What repair services can be had at the dock and does the marina take a cut?
39. Does the pump out work consistently? Can it be used with your draft and manoeverability?
40. Where is the nearest haulout/travelift?
41. Do you have to wait for bridges to get out to sailing grounds?
42. What are requirements of boaters in named storms?
43. What are insurance requirements?
44. Are live-aboards permitted?

Thank you to sailortjk1 , WinterRiver, chucklesR, and camaraderie for contributing to this list!

Anyone have some more to look for?

[k1vsk]

sounds like you might be focusing too much on the trees rather than the forest. A nice, well-kept marina with decent docks, open fairways and floating docks for a reasonable price would be high on my list of things to consider.

[sailboy21]

Hawaii related questions: (not meant to be funny, but good questions to ask finding a slip there)
Are there feral dogs & cats living there?
How many boats sank or burned last year?
How many "floaters" (dead bodies) were found in the last year?
How many docks or slip fingers broke free or capsized in the last year?
How many drug arrests were made in the vicinity?

[sailortjk1]

1. Are the docks and fingers well maintained and in good condition?
2. Are there adequate means of tying up? Secure Dock Cleats or Pilings in good condition?
3. How congested are the Fairways? How much room do you have to maneuver in and out of your slip.
4. Is it well protected from open waters? Swells? Adequate sea protection?
5. How close are you to open sailing grounds?

[WinterRiver]

What are the tides and/or currents like? Will you be able to easily get in or out of the slip at anything other than slack tide/current?

[chucklesR]

Where is the nearest bar that serves Gossling's Black Seal Rum.

How could you miss that (and tidal range).

[camaraderie]

Is there a laundry?
Is there a Pool?
Is there a book/chart exchange?
What is the ratio of power to sail?
Can you clean fish on the docks?
What repair services can be had at the dock and does the marina take a cut?
Does the pump out work consistently? Can it be used with your draft and manoeverability?
Where is the nearest haulout/travelift?
Do you have to wait for bridges to get out to sailing grounds?
What are requirements of boaters in named storms?
What are insurance requirements?
Are live-aboards permitted?

[CaptainFredGreenfield]

All excellent points! Will add them to the list. This is a lot to look for, but they are all things to consider.

[mrwuffles]

Diesel Mechanic on premises? I really like the nightlight one

[sailortjk1]

Not all points are going to be relevant to each individual.

Your concerns about security are not a concern of mine.
We are in a very quite neck of the woods.
Docks are not controlled and we have never had the need to control them.