Definition of "marina"

[25931]

I know that the dictionary definition is something like " a small boat harbour" but I think that most boaters would expect more facilities than just somewhere to tie up - e.g. reception pontoon for visiting boats, office to allocate berth and receive fees and ablution block as a minimum or have I been spoiled ?

 

[pmagowan]

I think pontoons would be the minimal requirement. You might expect other things but I am not sure they are essential.

 

[duncan99210]

Try visiting Trizonia 'Marina' sometime. That consists of a series of barely finished concrete jetties, complete with mantrap holes and a rotting collection of abandoned boats, including a sunken ketch.

 

[macd]

In many European countries, such as Spain, France, "marina" really does not have the sense that is understood in English. Greece, as ever is a special case (although Duncan seems hard to please, since the value for money at Trizonia far exceeds that at any UK marina: it's free).

 

[TSB240]

I think pontoons would be the minimal requirement. .

Our "marina" doesn't have these! (except in the drying outer harbour)

The dictionary definition applies.

Yes we expect slightly more than somewhere to tie up and get it just about... Still needs improving.

I would have thought the best definition for a marina would be "a half year parking site for your English? French? German? floating caravan!"

 

[RupertW]

I would have thought the best definition for a marina would be "a half year parking site for your English? French? German? floating caravan!"

If only that were true - for us it's more like a "47 week a year parking site", if we manage to get that much time off which certainly isn't every year.

 

[JumbleDuck]

The last harbourmaster at Kirkcudbright used to insist that "it's not a marina, it's a yacht station". That term possibly works better on a river, but maybe "yacht harbour" would be useful for places with pontoons but without much else. Girvan, I'm looking at you.

 

[VicS]

Google has the answer as always :

Marina Sirtis, best known for her role as Counselor Deanna Troi on the television series Star Trek:

 

[mjcoon]

Google has the answer as always :
...
Marina Sirtis, best known for her role as Counselor Deanna Troi on the television series Star Trek:

One could lie snug against those pontoons!

Mike.

 

[neilf39]

I thought Marina was Troy Tempest's girlfriend.

 

[rotrax]

In the days when Morris Marina's were being built at the BL plant in Cowley the windscreen fitters worked out that time could be saved by not using waterproof sealer around the windscreen rubber on the production line. Needless to say, most cars leaked badly from this area.

It was during the oil crisis and three day week when the exit to the Service Dept. building-known as 733-was blocked by a Marina 1.3 Coupe. It was covered in posters and the owner was wearing sandwich boards which proudly proclaimed :- No wonder they call it a Marina-it's always full of water.....................................

 

[Tranona]

I know that the dictionary definition is something like " a small boat harbour" but I think that most boaters would expect more facilities than just somewhere to tie up - e.g. reception pontoon for visiting boats, office to allocate berth and receive fees and ablution block as a minimum or have I been spoiled ?

This is not "definition", but your expectations of the facilities it should have to satisfy you.

 

[prv]

The last harbourmaster at Kirkcudbright used to insist that "it's not a marina, it's a yacht station". That term possibly works better on a river

Works better in the 1930s, I think

Pete

 

[duncan99210]

In many European countries, such as Spain, France, "marina" really does not have the sense that is understood in English. Greece, as ever is a special case (although Duncan seems hard to please, since the value for money at Trizonia far exceeds that at any UK marina: it's free).

You misunderstand me.... I have no problems with Trizonia and have visited there many times, enjoying the wonderful secure location in just about any weather. What I was attempting to do was to illustrate the differing perspective that cruising in Greece gives you on what a marina might be.

 

[GrahamM376]

I suspect the OP is thinking about his home berth which is in what the chart describes as a marina but which although it has pontoons and fingers does not have the usual facilities and is not open for visitors, just berth holders. Search Google Earth for Olhao Portugal and there is what most would describe as a marina but, is it one? The other, right hand one is for small fishing boats only.

 

[25931]

I suspect the OP is thinking about his home berth which is in what the chart describes as a marina but which although it has pontoons and fingers does not have the usual facilities and is not open for visitors, just berth holders. Search Google Earth for Olhao Portugal and there is what most would describe as a marina but, is it one? The other, right hand one is for small fishing boats only.

 

[25931]

Spot on Graham.

 

[Tranona]

I suspect the OP is thinking about his home berth which is in what the chart describes as a marina but which although it has pontoons and fingers does not have the usual facilities and is not open for visitors, just berth holders. Search Google Earth for Olhao Portugal and there is what most would describe as a marina but, is it one? The other, right hand one is for small fishing boats only.

Does it really matter what it is called? Surely you assess what is on offer on its merits? In Poole we have two facilities that more than meet the expectations in the OP, but are not called "marinas" but "havens" - and are completely different in character. One is a public facility run by the Harbour Commissioners and the other a members club but with access for visitors.

There is no independent agreed definition or minimum requirements for a marina or haven, or any other descriptor, nor any exclusiveness in its use. So owners/operators can call such things anything they wish.

 

[GrahamM376]

Does it really matter what it is called?

Problem is that it appears on charts as a marina and boats often turn up, sometimes after a long passage, and get turned away. Needs deleting from charts, as does Faro which can't even be accessed at HW springs in an inflatable as no clearance under railway bridge.

 

[macd]

You misunderstand me.... I have no problems with Trizonia and have visited there many times, enjoying the wonderful secure location in just about any weather. What I was attempting to do was to illustrate the differing perspective that cruising in Greece gives you on what a marina might be.

I think I understood you perfectly, but many readers unfamiliar with Trizonia would not have, as you failed to understand where my tongue was as I typed.
Perhaps the most apt description, then, is Trizonia "marina", (along with Khios "marina", etc, etc).