Several Good Marinas to choose from
We kept our Watkins 27 at the Sheraton marina in New Bern NC for several years. The people were great and the amenities were fine. They even recently added Wireless Internet. Friday nights during the summer there is a live band on the veranda by the pool and there was always a party atmosphere. Even though it is a somewhat upscale marina (at least to us Diy boaters) We were made to feel comfortable and really enjoyed the surrounding area of historic New Bern. Unfortunately nothing lasts forever. The Marina sold to a new owner and changed the name. Then the decision was made to use the parking lot that all the Marina inhabitants parked in to build condos. Parking was moved to what we felt was an unreasonably long walk from the boat. Like others we always haul a lot of supplies and gear with us when we go to the boat, Just getting it all from the car to the boat was a struggle. Then the marina decided to start selling off the slips and all slip renters were put on a month to month basis. We no longer felt at home there as we felt like someone could buy the slip we were in at anytime and we would be forced to move or rent from the new owner. That was when we decided that a move was in order. Compromises may have to be made at our new location, ( no floating docks) but it is closer to where we like to sail and the fees are actually a little cheaper. Plus the parking is in the range we have grown accustomed to when moving gear from the car. Its the little things that matter to us especially when there are choices. We are fortunate here in NC to have several marinas to choose from and a new marina is being built as I write this.
We kept our Watkins 27 at the Sheraton marina in New Bern NC for several years. The people were great and the amenities were fine. They even recently added Wireless Internet. Friday nights during the summer there is a live band on the veranda by the pool and there was always a party atmosphere. Even though it is a somewhat upscale marina (at least to us Diy boaters) We were made to feel comfortable and really enjoyed the surrounding area of historic New Bern. Unfortunately nothing lasts forever. The Marina sold to a new owner and changed the name. Then the decision was made to use the parking lot that all the Marina inhabitants parked in to build condos. Parking was moved to what we felt was an unreasonably long walk from the boat. Like others we always haul a lot of supplies and gear with us when we go to the boat, Just getting it all from the car to the boat was a struggle. Then the marina decided to start selling off the slips and all slip renters were put on a month to month basis. We no longer felt at home there as we felt like someone could buy the slip we were in at anytime and we would be forced to move or rent from the new owner. That was when we decided that a move was in order. Compromises may have to be made at our new location, ( no floating docks) but it is closer to where we like to sail and the fees are actually a little cheaper. Plus the parking is in the range we have grown accustomed to when moving gear from the car. Its the little things that matter to us especially when there are choices. We are fortunate here in NC to have several marinas to choose from and a new marina is being built as I write this.
