At the marina dock I was at in San Diego, we had "characters..." But I don't recall anyone totally obnoxious. There were some dog folks that failed to clean up after Fido on the 4th weekend... that was nasty. But generally folks seemed to find a way to get along. I do know that outside of the dock, at the marina itself, there were a couple of folks that one was warned to not stop and chat with... as they would talk your ear off. And apparently once they had chatted with you, they would seek you out anytime you were around the marina. (each dock had an individual key card that only allowed access to that specific dock... so folks did not wander from dock to dock)
Actually, just outside the marina, there was a deli that was something of an incubator for "characters." The deli was old, had loose boards, and a very weathered look, and a palm frond cabana out back. The owner was a crusty guy, and the whole place just had an "end of the road" kinda feel. The deli owner put on a few free music concerts several summers ago before the whole place closed... and the crowd was rather interesting... everyone from Lesbian Bikers to the local Dock Lizards... and just enough folks in between to make it a raucous event. It was a scene. GRIN
The marina dock where I am in Anacortes is a ghost town... I see one or two folks here and there, but no general get together, no real sharing of ideas or general comment. One reason perhaps is that one side of the dock is for large boats, several of which seem to be for charters, hence we don't have the usual owners hanging about doing their own work. There are crews that zip about doing the maintenance, but they are fairly dispassionate about the boats... it's a job for them. Do it and get it done quickly.
I think a dock needs owners hanging about doing work to develop "characters..."
One nice thing about boats... if you don't like the view, or the neighborhood... you can always move.