The Best Marina Ever?

Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Spud Point Marina, Bodega Bay is an exceptional marina. $193 (30') slip fee, large cement floating piers, elect.(basic $10 mo), water, dock box, hot showers, laundry, fuel, pump out, launch, gated, guards, free parking and inside a protected harbor area. Harbor exits out to open sea. Chief
 
Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Ah, the sound of freedom.

Mine's in Mexico at the moment. Marina Fonatur in Puerto Penasco is $0.30/foot during the off-season, $0.60/foot otherwise, water and electricity included.

Excellent, inexpensive restaurants within walking distance, friendly 24 hour security, showers, laundry facilities, and pets are welcome.
 
May 28, 2009
764
Hunter 376 Pensacola, FL
Ah, the sound of freedom.

Mine's in Mexico at the moment. Marina Fonatur in Puerto Penasco is $0.30/foot during the off-season, $0.60/foot otherwise, water and electricity included.

Excellent, inexpensive restaurants within walking distance, friendly 24 hour security, showers, laundry facilities, and pets are welcome.
30 cents per foot per month? Because if I can park our 37 footer for 11 bucks a month, we'll definitely be checking it out.
 
Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
30 cents per foot per month? Because if I can park our 37 footer for 11 bucks a month, we'll definitely be checking it out.
It's a free country.

There are a number of Marina Fonaturs, as they're run by the gov't tourism office. There's probably a few of 'em just across the gulf from you.
 
Feb 20, 2011
8,062
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Justsomeguy: Is off season considered to be summer time? Chief
I don't believe there's rhyme nor reason to the federal government's distinction between on and off-season.

But at those prices, who cares? ;)
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,690
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
For this to make any sense, you need to make the distinction between "best" and "cheapest". They are usually mutually exclusive considerations.
 

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
5,072
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Charleston City Marina is probably the best liveaboard marina I have ever had the pleasure to reside in. The docks, power, showers and office, not to mention the personnel, are way beyond even Bahia Mar and Pier 66 in their heyday. Everything is clean and well maintained, with plenty of parking and the dock personnel are as helpful as you need without being intrusive.
It may not be the cheapest marina you'll find on the east coast, but it is good value and certainly not excessively expensive, for living down town in a fairly cosmopolitan small city.
I've always found you pretty much get what you pay for in marinas. I found a $400.00 a month marina (53' boat) very close to down town Providence, but the electric was crap, the docks were crap and the service was non-existent.
 
Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
My vote for transient? Cricket Cove Marina in Little River, S.C.
I ran in late one night, dead dark, unfamiliar ditch, and we called ahead, BIG time needing to shut down for the night. Brad the dock master stood on the end of the dock and had me flash my mastheads for I.D., he flashed his flashlight intermittently and we hit it. He lashed the boat, plugged us in, had a G.C. that we virtually stepped into right off the boat for the ride to the parking lot. Took us to a hotel, and even waited to make sure we checked in all right.
He told us to call him in the morning for a ride, and the group discussed a taxi. I decided the man might be insulted if we did that so we called Brad back. He was in the damn parking lot before we got our bags out of the room. Same trip back to the boat by golf cart, and he would have no other way except to fuel the boat, and filled the water tanks. My lord, we were treated like royalty.

We spent a little in their store, but between that and the pitifully small fuel bill, (we sail the boat, the engine is a convenience), so there was no way that offset the service. We tipped him both ways a FAT tip, as sailors should. I ain't talking 20 or 40 bucks either. We do this partly to keep a good name for sail boaters, because most of you know how we are sometimes maligned as being cheap. Remember that.
It was hands down the finest stop we have ever made. And folks I have been in a lot of marinas.

(And please again remember to take care of a good dock hand. Five dollar tips are partly why we are treated as gypsies!!
 
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Port St. Joe for transients

I love Port St. Joe Marina, which advertises itself as the friendliest marina on the Gulf. Laundry, showers, great resturant, live entertainment and grocery and sporting goods store within easy walking distance. Second would have to be Homeport at Lulu's.
 
May 27, 2004
2,059
Hunter 30_74-83 Ponce Inlet FL
Chris, While I appreciate the sentiment about tipping, a $50 buck tip every time I check into a marina would cut my trip days by 60%!
SS only gave us a 1% raise this year, after two years with NADA.
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,244
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
i am on ss and i still think tipping is a positive thing ....having said that i also know some marinas do not allow tipping so if you tip check before doing so as it may do more harm than good to the employee........not sure why its not allowed......but it does make me wonder why the marina is that way...must be a power thing
 
Jan 25, 2007
366
Cal Cal 33-2 cape cod
Kingman Marina, Cataumet MA

My vote Kingman,

1) The harbor is completely surrounded by land. An island out front acts as a break water and swim/beach spot.
2) Many classic sailboats throughout harbor, Herreshofts, Hinkleys, ect. and experienced craftsmen available for upkeep
3) Scenic views of sunset, close to Cape Cod canal, active sailboat racing community. Many clubs offering regattas, Weds night beer can races to Marion-Bermuda race.

*They customized a bow-sprit to allow me to fly my Assym on my old Cal like a pro.
 

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Oct 17, 2011
2,809
Ericson 29 Southport..
Please people......seriously you don't think I throw 50 plus dollars at every marina I come too. I've explained the extenuating circumstances of this ONE marina, and he earned it. There have also been the docks where I tied myself on, fueled my own boat, and went inside to pay the bill. You think I tip this mook? I'm talking above and beyond here. This particular fellow lives on board at the marina, and has an interest in its welfare.
Realistically, you don't tip a hand for carrying off your garbage? Helped you wipe up that fuel spill. Complimented your lady on her looks when she hasn't had a shower all day? I'm just saying don't be CHEAP. Which we all as sail boaters are seen as being. Obviously...