Choosing a marina.

[Mike2043]

What do you look for when choosing a marina to keep your boat at. I looked at 1 so far it seemed nice. They had water and electric at all the slips 24 hr. accesses during the summer/boating months. ( 04/01-10/31) Not sure what else to look for before I decide. They did not have gas but there is a pump right across the river. I’ll be on the Hudson. There is also a bait store on the way so that was kind of a plus in my mind. The down side is it’s about a 30 - 40 ride from home.

I would like as much input as possible.

Thanks in advance.

 

[B-Faithful]

cost
accessability
weather protection
proximity to fuel
security (safeness of the area)
proximity to fishing grounds. (if the marina is 5 miles away but you have to run farther than you would some place else to where you like to fish regularly then it is no good)
services offered
can you store for the winter on a trailer there
etc

 

[Parker Paul]

There are many variables with this. Here in Southern RI - South Kingstown and Narragansett - the slip availability in the past years has been very tight. Only this year did it open up a bit. On our 4th season at a marina, I can probably think of more small things than you would believe.
1. At our marina for the 1st 3 seasons, there were so many no-seeums -
these are little flies so small that you can't see them but they bite
very badly. Could not be on the boat after dark, or get chewed up
alive.
2. Lighting. Is there lighting on the pier poles. It helps when returning
at night and for security.
3. How protected is the marina from wind. There are marinas on the Pt
Judith Salt Pond that are flat open to the wind from any direction.
Others are protected by trees and land and while the breachway may
have 20kt wind, back at our marina, the wind may be much lower.
4. How congested is the marina. Some marinas jam many boats closely
together requiring very delicate turns to squeeze into your slip.
And many boats have anchors on the end of the pulpit which in a few
seconds can cause damage. Our old marina was a nightmare to get
in and out of. Our new marina is cake. Makes a big difference.
5. Our previous marina was socially dead. The new one has a whole
different type of people. Much friendlier. Many more boats.
Several marinas are in the same area. Lots going on.
6. How far is it to the fishing areas. Our old marina was a 20 minute ride
to the breachway. The new marina is a 30 minute ride. It's less
expensive / foot, same water and power service, but I like it better.
We can sit on the boat evenings without bug bites, we can get in and
out of the slip easily, and have made new friends with dockmates.

7. Some slips have a dock pier that is 1/2 the length of the boat.
Others have a dock pier that is the length of the boat. We have the
outboard on a bracket with pulpit and anchor. Total length is 30 feet+
even thougth the boat is 23 feet. Our new marina has a pieer that is
about 32'. Nice.
8. Some marina operators will try and wrap up winter covering and
storage as a condition of the slip. Our old marina did this, but the new
marina doesn't. Saving about $800 / yr.

As I said, there are lots of little things that after you get the slip, you
realize after the fact.

Good Luck. Your priority on these considerations will most likely be
different than ours.

Regards, Paul

2005 2310 / F250
Pt Judith Salt Pond
Pt Judith, RI

 

[HM5]

Paul has a lot of good items to consider in your quest. One thing I might add is, does the marina charge slip fee by registered LOA, actual boat length, or length of slip regardless of boat size. Good luck in your search.

 

[CapeCodFrank]

A few more things to consider:

- does the marina require that you store the boat for the winter? If they do, what are their rates? Do they allow you access during the winter? What work do they allow you to do? Do they charge extra for outside contractors to work on your boat?

- Are you looking for a marina that has a social aspect? My friend is at a marina that is all business... people use their boats for fishing, and don't tend to socialize. My marina has lots of sailors, cruisers, weekenders, etc. Totally different atmosphere?

- If you are coming to your boat from a distance, do they have bathrooms / showers?

- What happens during a hurricane threat? My marina pulls up all the floating docks, so all slip boats have to be pulled. Does the marina have the capacity to pull all the slipped boats in the 2-3 days after they declare a hurricane emergency? My marina has only one travel lift, and given the time it takes to pull one boat, they can only pull about one-half the boats that are on slips. The others have to make other arrangements.

Just some things that come to mind.

 

[gerg]

If you have a choice, floating docks are MUCH nicer than fixed. You just snug your boat up to the finger and don't worry about slack in the lines or all kinds of fancy line arrangements.

And make sure they have fingers you can live with - some don't have any and you have to climb off over your ob's.

The only real pain about where I am is that there is an amtrack bridge between me and the river. I have to wait for openings to come and go. But it is safe, and very well protected from storms.