What Makes a Good Marina.

[erickbou]

Just got my boat and want to get a long term marina slip. What should I look for as signs of a good marina? In other words what makes a marina a "good marina"? Why did you choose your particular marina: Proximity to residence, price, or what else?

[rockDAWG]

I prefer a clean AC bath house and free Wifi

[kd3pc]

clean, safe, and a clear set of rules/regulations that are judged by one person...

[southshoreS24]

Safe and secure with a diligent dock crew that will either take care of your boat in your absence or notify you of any problems before they become incidents.

[chuck53]

At our marina, it's our marina neighbors that makes the place stand out. The price is right which is nice and I've known the marina owner for 45 years.

[wingNwing]

Guess it depends on what your priorities are? Do you want a working marina with haulout and maintenace facilities, or a beautiful, resort-like quiet setting?

We picked our marina because its liveaboard-friendly, working marina with access to good sailing, and a location near to work and city amenities. In that order of importance.

[capttb]

"the only romantic spot on the coast". Richard Henry Dana

[DRFerron]

Most of what everyone else said except no free wifi. Also, when I bought my first boat, a trailer boat, I wanted to keep it at a marina since I hate trailering and at the time I was single. I called up and down the northern Bay for rates. One marina told me the boat was below their minimum size. Finally I found one that didn't charge me a 30' rate for a 22' boat. In fact, when I asked them if they would the response was "Why would we do that?"

I'm on my second boat and still at that same marina. We have looked at other marinas for winter storage closer to home and we keep an eye open when we visit other towns, but we can't bring ourselves to make a move. I considered the local yacht club but it is too far off the Bay for our tastes.

The other advantage is that the yard specializes in sailboats and they are willing to give us advice (and lend us tools) to do our own repairs.

We also like the location for things to do within walking/biking distance when we don't take the boat out. We live in a rural area where buying anything means a minimum half hour car ride so having a West Marine (if our marina store doesn't have the part), hardware, grocery, ice cream, and beer and wine within a two-minute drive is a treat.

We are right ON the Bay, which means less protection from wind, but we consider the view (sunsets and fireworks) and little or no bugs acceptable compromises.

[MSter]

Certainly clean facilities and amenities are on the list, but I would want to ensure the marina routinely maintains the dock as well. I would want the marina to ensure the slips are in good repair with no broken pilings and enough tie offs/cleats to accommodate storms. I would look for minimal exposure to open water but offer good access. As stated in other posts, a diligent dock crew which has your best interest in mind would be a great marina asset.

Unfortunately, my marina has none of these......but its the only game in town that is within reasonable cost and driving distance. As a result I routinely check on my boat about 4x a week and pay attention to the weather very closely.

[DRFerron]

Originally Posted by MSter

I would look for minimal exposure to open water but offer good access.

We have a fleet of Island Packet charter boats at the end of our dock that act as a second breakwater.

Originally Posted by MSter

As stated in other posts, a diligent dock crew which has your best interest in mind would be a great marina asset.

Which reminded me, we get a phone call and/or email when something on our boat needs attention (beyond little stuff like adjusting lines during a storm or knocking snow off the deck which they'll do for us).