What's important to you when you choose a marina? Did you choose your present marina because it's convenient to your house or your job? Or did you drive past three marinas to get to one that's got better protection for your boat? Are haulout services or chandleries important? Did a yacht club or racing group influence your decision? Or was your deal driven by dollars? How well does your marina meet your needs, and would you make the same decision again? Share your story here, then be sure to vote in this week's Quick Quiz at the bottom of the home page. (Quiz contributed by Gary Wyngarden)
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Dollars and sense
When we bought tooth'n'nail in '94, she was on her cradle resting on a trailer at a quality marina which featured all the amenities. It took two seasons for us to realize that barbecue grills, swimming pools, bicycles, dock boxes, dingies, kyaks, noisy parties and tons of shoreside distractions were not why we rented dockage. We found dockage which was more suited to our style at the marina where our boat is hauled and stored. The price was reduced by almost half, but we gave up shore power and water. It takes an additional 10 minutes to get from the channel out into the lake, but we now have relative quiet when we are at the marina. My wife and I almost never go to the boat without sailing and oftentimes anchor, dock or moor at one of the islands on western Lake Erie. She made the case clear for both of us the first season we spent at the high dollar marina. "Why should we spend this kind of money to get away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday, only to wind up ten feet away from someone on both sides of us. It's kind of like staying in a cheap motel where you can hear everything that is going on next door...whether you want to or not... and we're all living in cramped quarters. " Where we now dock provides for a fair amount of privacy when we are at the dock. I don't mean to sound anti-social, but our boat is our way to get away from the stresses of our lives. I am a teacher and she is a dental hygenist, and for both of us, getting away means resting our "people skills" and vegging out quietly... very quietly. Tom
When we bought tooth'n'nail in '94, she was on her cradle resting on a trailer at a quality marina which featured all the amenities. It took two seasons for us to realize that barbecue grills, swimming pools, bicycles, dock boxes, dingies, kyaks, noisy parties and tons of shoreside distractions were not why we rented dockage. We found dockage which was more suited to our style at the marina where our boat is hauled and stored. The price was reduced by almost half, but we gave up shore power and water. It takes an additional 10 minutes to get from the channel out into the lake, but we now have relative quiet when we are at the marina. My wife and I almost never go to the boat without sailing and oftentimes anchor, dock or moor at one of the islands on western Lake Erie. She made the case clear for both of us the first season we spent at the high dollar marina. "Why should we spend this kind of money to get away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday, only to wind up ten feet away from someone on both sides of us. It's kind of like staying in a cheap motel where you can hear everything that is going on next door...whether you want to or not... and we're all living in cramped quarters. " Where we now dock provides for a fair amount of privacy when we are at the dock. I don't mean to sound anti-social, but our boat is our way to get away from the stresses of our lives. I am a teacher and she is a dental hygenist, and for both of us, getting away means resting our "people skills" and vegging out quietly... very quietly. Tom
Marina Selection
Being convenient to my home was important. Unfortunately there is a lack of available space in the mariners inour region (Narragansett Bay and the southeast coast of MA) so that you can not be too fussy. I am fortunate that the marina I am at is protected and close to home. I was on a one year wait list to get in. Len Fagan Tale Winds
Being convenient to my home was important. Unfortunately there is a lack of available space in the mariners inour region (Narragansett Bay and the southeast coast of MA) so that you can not be too fussy. I am fortunate that the marina I am at is protected and close to home. I was on a one year wait list to get in. Len Fagan Tale Winds
Nice Marina
I live in the Baltimore CIty area. I have had boats at inexpennsive, out of the way, marinas before, but with my new boat (which was a bit bigger), I decided I wanted to have a slip downtown--in the Inner Harbor. It is expensive (comparatively), but when we are at the marina we are close to a lot of exciting things--restaraunts, museums, and other activities. Some additional perks include really nice floating docks, water and electric at all sites, nice people for neighbors, and some really swell people working for the marina. My wife and I can go out for dinner, spend the night on the boat, and go sightseeing, riding the water taxi, and have other interesting things to do in the morning. Cam Whetstone s/v C36 - Wolf's Den Baltimroe, Md
I live in the Baltimore CIty area. I have had boats at inexpennsive, out of the way, marinas before, but with my new boat (which was a bit bigger), I decided I wanted to have a slip downtown--in the Inner Harbor. It is expensive (comparatively), but when we are at the marina we are close to a lot of exciting things--restaraunts, museums, and other activities. Some additional perks include really nice floating docks, water and electric at all sites, nice people for neighbors, and some really swell people working for the marina. My wife and I can go out for dinner, spend the night on the boat, and go sightseeing, riding the water taxi, and have other interesting things to do in the morning. Cam Whetstone s/v C36 - Wolf's Den Baltimroe, Md
Lucked out
Location and price were my two main criteria, and I lucked out on both counts. I bought my boat in the fall after she had been hauled for the winter in her former owner's yacht club, which is about an hour's drive from where I wanted to dock my new prize possession. I wanted to be in Branford for a couple of reasons: it is the closest place to my house where there are plenty of marinas, and my parents live there. This is especially important because my kids are very young and don't always want to go sailing. My wife and I can drop them off at Grandma's and go out ourselves and everyone is happy. There are about four marinas on the Branford River that I thought would fit the bill, but only one had room and was reasonably priced. My marina is strictly a do it yourself place, the docks are nice and there is water, but no shorepower, no chandlery, no showers, no real repair services.
Location and price were my two main criteria, and I lucked out on both counts. I bought my boat in the fall after she had been hauled for the winter in her former owner's yacht club, which is about an hour's drive from where I wanted to dock my new prize possession. I wanted to be in Branford for a couple of reasons: it is the closest place to my house where there are plenty of marinas, and my parents live there. This is especially important because my kids are very young and don't always want to go sailing. My wife and I can drop them off at Grandma's and go out ourselves and everyone is happy. There are about four marinas on the Branford River that I thought would fit the bill, but only one had room and was reasonably priced. My marina is strictly a do it yourself place, the docks are nice and there is water, but no shorepower, no chandlery, no showers, no real repair services.
Chartering is such sweet bliss
The Boat we are buying is a Bavaria 32 which we are putting into charter. The choice of the marina comes down to the charter company we are dealing with. The Marina they use is in good repair, very sheltered and the Charter company does a great job of looking after all the boats. We have chartered from them for nearly eight years so it was our choice to go back to them when we decided to purchase a new boat.
The Boat we are buying is a Bavaria 32 which we are putting into charter. The choice of the marina comes down to the charter company we are dealing with. The Marina they use is in good repair, very sheltered and the Charter company does a great job of looking after all the boats. We have chartered from them for nearly eight years so it was our choice to go back to them when we decided to purchase a new boat.
My cousin owns a private marina with a limited number of slips. Since I keep my RV in his park, I have access to the marina, which offers gas, food and shower facilities. It's a great spot to leave from to tour Lake Ontario for day trips. So I guess, in this case my motivating factor is seasonal fees for 24/7 access.
Clean and well kept
I like clean and well kept marinas. The one I'm in now is neither. I actually don't care if I spend a few more dollars for a good place that cares about the way they handle boats and boat owners. Good quality docks, clean facilities, power, water and people that give a bleep! Not too much to ask.. Regards, Chris
I like clean and well kept marinas. The one I'm in now is neither. I actually don't care if I spend a few more dollars for a good place that cares about the way they handle boats and boat owners. Good quality docks, clean facilities, power, water and people that give a bleep! Not too much to ask.. Regards, Chris
We Got Lucky All The Way Around!
Fort Monroe (Olde Point Comfort) Marina across from the Norfolk Naval Station has been fantastic. Floating docks, deep water, electric, water, locked gates for security, great crowd, small, reasonable marina with a great staff, showers, restrooms, and a great price. My 38 footer goes for just under $150.00 per month. We can raise the sails two minutes out of the slip and be right in the middle of the Chesapeake. Usually a long waiting list but they are building 150 new slips this summer and there are vacancies. John and Stephanie Day SV "Fox III" Hunter 380
Fort Monroe (Olde Point Comfort) Marina across from the Norfolk Naval Station has been fantastic. Floating docks, deep water, electric, water, locked gates for security, great crowd, small, reasonable marina with a great staff, showers, restrooms, and a great price. My 38 footer goes for just under $150.00 per month. We can raise the sails two minutes out of the slip and be right in the middle of the Chesapeake. Usually a long waiting list but they are building 150 new slips this summer and there are vacancies. John and Stephanie Day SV "Fox III" Hunter 380
More like faculities...then yard.
convience is a two edged sword. My marina is 35 nm from the ocean (down the St Johns River) and 5-6 hours from the ocean. That's a major bummer as ocean sailing trends to be a long and drawn out planning scession and seldom can we pull it off. Conversely, the St Johns where, we are at Orange Park, is great, wide deep water and I have the sails up 5 minutes after leaving the slip. I can sail when Small Craft Advisories are up in relative comfort. Overall the marina we're I'm at has the best faculities around and a yard that does the job right.
convience is a two edged sword. My marina is 35 nm from the ocean (down the St Johns River) and 5-6 hours from the ocean. That's a major bummer as ocean sailing trends to be a long and drawn out planning scession and seldom can we pull it off. Conversely, the St Johns where, we are at Orange Park, is great, wide deep water and I have the sails up 5 minutes after leaving the slip. I can sail when Small Craft Advisories are up in relative comfort. Overall the marina we're I'm at has the best faculities around and a yard that does the job right.
Marinia Choice
1. Location - reasonable driving time (less than 2 hours). 2. Location for sailing - reasonable time to diversity of Chesapeake - Baltimore, Annapolis, St. Michaels, isolated anchorages. 3.Sailing marinia - as opposed to Power or mixed use. 4.Quiet-well run marinia.
1. Location - reasonable driving time (less than 2 hours). 2. Location for sailing - reasonable time to diversity of Chesapeake - Baltimore, Annapolis, St. Michaels, isolated anchorages. 3.Sailing marinia - as opposed to Power or mixed use. 4.Quiet-well run marinia.
A compromise with nice people.
The compromise was between driving time(90 minutes) and proximity to the Erie islands. There are nice marinas closer to the islands but then we would add 30 minutes to the drive time. We bought the boat at this marina and really like the people there. And we have met many terrific folks in the three summers we have been docked at Harbor North. It is also a deep water marina which is saying something on Lake Erie. And only ten minutes to open water(not always an advantage).
The compromise was between driving time(90 minutes) and proximity to the Erie islands. There are nice marinas closer to the islands but then we would add 30 minutes to the drive time. We bought the boat at this marina and really like the people there. And we have met many terrific folks in the three summers we have been docked at Harbor North. It is also a deep water marina which is saying something on Lake Erie. And only ten minutes to open water(not always an advantage).
Lucky, I guess!
I belong to a private "Boat Club". We have about 300 slips, we have our own Travel Lift, We have a restaurant, a bar and lots of great members to socialize with. The dues are cheap and it costs me $12 per foot for summer dockage. We have electricity, water and cable. Just a really nice facility. I keep the boat there for winter storage also. That is $5 per foot. To make things even better...it is only 15 minutes from my house.
I belong to a private "Boat Club". We have about 300 slips, we have our own Travel Lift, We have a restaurant, a bar and lots of great members to socialize with. The dues are cheap and it costs me $12 per foot for summer dockage. We have electricity, water and cable. Just a really nice facility. I keep the boat there for winter storage also. That is $5 per foot. To make things even better...it is only 15 minutes from my house.
Best Bay area marina
The best Marina that I have found in the S.F. Bay Area (in 22 years) is Marina Village in Alameda....Great facilities, protected from wind, good security, good shopping, safe area, concrete docks, 30 amp service, wide berths and nice folks (at the office and at the docks)
The best Marina that I have found in the S.F. Bay Area (in 22 years) is Marina Village in Alameda....Great facilities, protected from wind, good security, good shopping, safe area, concrete docks, 30 amp service, wide berths and nice folks (at the office and at the docks)
Different strokes!
Choosing a marina depends on the individual (or family) needs. My wife and I don't stay in the marina. We get on the boat and go somewhere. We don't socialize much at the marina just for the sake of socializing. Although we are friendly and outgoing, that's not why we are at a marina. We need a place to park our boat on the water! I do almost all of the boat maintenance, so I don't really need services. We have joined yacht clubs in the past, but don't currently belong to one. Our biggest concern in choosing a marina is price first, then location. We are happiest with cheap and close-by. Look at your desires and perhaps, list them on paper. Organize your wants in order of priority, then see what is really important. Choose a marina that best-suits your wants and desires. Rick and Pam Tenan s/v DevOcean
Choosing a marina depends on the individual (or family) needs. My wife and I don't stay in the marina. We get on the boat and go somewhere. We don't socialize much at the marina just for the sake of socializing. Although we are friendly and outgoing, that's not why we are at a marina. We need a place to park our boat on the water! I do almost all of the boat maintenance, so I don't really need services. We have joined yacht clubs in the past, but don't currently belong to one. Our biggest concern in choosing a marina is price first, then location. We are happiest with cheap and close-by. Look at your desires and perhaps, list them on paper. Organize your wants in order of priority, then see what is really important. Choose a marina that best-suits your wants and desires. Rick and Pam Tenan s/v DevOcean
CLOSE TO HOME
The distance of our local marina from where I work and live was the main reason I got into boating in the first place. I just couldn't see wasting a prime recreational resource that lies just a mile from both!
The distance of our local marina from where I work and live was the main reason I got into boating in the first place. I just couldn't see wasting a prime recreational resource that lies just a mile from both!
location, location, location
i keep by boat at point roberts marina because of its proximity to me, the gulf islands, and cheap beer!
i keep by boat at point roberts marina because of its proximity to me, the gulf islands, and cheap beer!
Marina choice
Price and services and people at the marina. Ours is a family responsive marina with an active but not overly competitive racing program for sailing vessels. Catalinas and Hunters dominate the sailing categories with many other brands represented and the competition is getting tougher all the time but very friendly competition.
Price and services and people at the marina. Ours is a family responsive marina with an active but not overly competitive racing program for sailing vessels. Catalinas and Hunters dominate the sailing categories with many other brands represented and the competition is getting tougher all the time but very friendly competition.
A-typical (I'm sure) but right for us.
Our marinia is down at the end of our street. It a neighborhood affair complete with Yacht Club and all the trimmings. The marinia sits on a small inland Texas lake. It's strictly a daysailing wet spot.
Our marinia is down at the end of our street. It a neighborhood affair complete with Yacht Club and all the trimmings. The marinia sits on a small inland Texas lake. It's strictly a daysailing wet spot.
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