Moving home to a marina

[oGaryo]

I'm moving the boat to a marina for the first time in our short boaty life and was hoping the more experienced marina dwellers can help me prepare.

These are the things that spring to mind.. have I missed anything?

buy a metered lead
antifoul her bum with the recommended gunk for the waters we're moving to
change impeller as a matter of course
check the seacocks
check operation of the bilge pump and float mechanism
replace anodes with a new set at the start of the season?
buy more fenders to go on the none pontoon side of the boat
stock up the 'fun box'
ensure we say thanks to everyone at Calshot, especially David
restock fun box after Calshot thanks session

anything I've missed?

 

[grumpy_o_g]

I'm moving the boat to a marina for the first time in our short boaty life and was hoping the more experienced marina dwellers can help me prepare.

These are the things that spring to mind.. have I missed anything?

buy a metered lead
antifoul her bum with the recommended gunk for the waters we're moving to
change impeller as a matter of course
check the seacocks
check operation of the bilge pump and float mechanism
replace anodes with a new set at the start of the season?
buy more fenders to go on the none pontoon side of the boat
stock up the 'fun box'
ensure we say thanks to everyone at Calshot, especially David
restock fun box after Calshot thanks session

anything I've missed?

Take out second mortgage?

Have you got the marina contact numbers in your phone/wallet and have they got yours along with a set of keys and instructions on what they can and can't do. Apart from that appropriate tide tables, fuel berth opening times, etc so you can work out if it's worth nipping down to the boat (OK, it's always worth nipping down to the boat) and enough decent mooring springs and warps protected so they won't chafe (she's rubbing on those ropes all the time now remember).

 

[AndieMac]

Splice up some permanent, pe-lengthened dock lines and (if allowable) screw down permanent fenders onto the fingers/pontoon.

If you have the choice, select a berth next to a short, narrow beamed boat to allow more 'swinging' room.

Think about backing plates for deck cleats.

Good luck Gaz.

 

[dustywings]

Where are you thinking of? You could do with hearing first hand experiences from some people who use that marina.

 

[SpottyDog5]

I've got lots of surplus fenders if you want them ?
Cause youre from up-norf, they are free!

 

[STEVEDUNSTABLE]

hi garyo.....as you know, i like to tow down and use mercury marina..over the last few years i,ve learnt that it has a large "blank" spot for MY mobile fone signal!!. not a prob in itself but can get annoying, so might be a snag you cant live with..trivial prob ???? .....yer pays yer money n takes yer choice..................just thought i,d mention it.........ps. keep your vhf on over easter, guess whos booked in !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[fireball]

Any particular reason you need to buy a metered lead ... the only reason I could see is because the marina require it .. we don't have one and the metering is done by the marina equipment.

Checking the bilgepump and float mech - any particular reason? Yes, it should be done anyway, but do you get lots of water in? We don't and therefore all electrics are isolated when we leave the boat.

Stopcocks and thru hulls - yes, as a matter of course anyway - ours are turned off when we leave the boat (except the saildrive which is a pita to get to - but thanks for reminding me - it needs it's regular wiggle to ensure it operates!)

The only thing I would suggest is that you check out your fendering and mooring warp collection. If you're leaving your boat unattended then it makes sense to have either permanent warps or doubled up warps - as we're only winter visitors we just double up. Perm marina users seem to have a lot of "fixed" warps made to the right length - these seem to be oversized too - one or two steps larger than your usual weekend warps.

 

[Croak]

Marina gate number.

 

[David2452]

If you are going to be on shore power a lot then check the boat has a galvanic isolator fitted, if not then fit one, particularly if you have outdrive(s). Cost is small and peace of mind about anodes, props & suff is great.

 

[gjgm]

Splice up some permanent, pe-lengthened dock lines and (if allowable) screw down permanent fenders onto the fingers/pontoon.

If you have the choice, select a berth next to a short, narrow beamed boat to allow more 'swinging' room.

Think about backing plates for deck cleats.

Good luck Gaz.

Yes, some permanent lines on the pontoon mean they are always the right length, and can prevent the over enthustiastic arrival . You might find that for that particular berth a different fender suits a particular cleat better (Eg a ball, maybe).
A set of keys for the marina office for when you leave them at home

 

[epervier]

anything I've missed?

Three years marina fees = £10,000 lost towards new boat upgrade

 

[ps1]

If you have to have electric metered, rather than buying a 'marine approved' why not install one of these - http://www.pjwmeters.co.uk/product_detail.php?id=5
A backing piece of ply, a bit of glass fibre (and you can also mount the galvanic isolator on it as well). The saving against the 'marine approved' will buy the isolator. Got to be out of the wet though. Easy for ex RAF types. Bit PBO ish but hey.

 

[oGaryo]

thanlks guys, so to summarise, additional things to sort out are:

decide on marina - done (Ocean Village)
marina contact details -done
give them mine - done
give them the spare set of keys
mooring rope protection to prevent chaffing
ascertain if permissable, fit permanent fenders to the pontopn
take Roy up on his kind offer of fenders
select berth next to short/thin boat - done
checkout mobile phone signal in the marina, change provider if necessary
turn off stopcocks when not at the boat
double up the warps
use larger warps than normal sized for the pontoon
marina access codes
fit (additonal) galvanic isolator if leaving shore power on
ascertain optin for lecky meters


and then a couple more from me that haven't been mentioned

inform Insurance folk that the boat's moving from storage on the hard to a marna and no doubt pay them some extra dosh

we're keeping the trailer locally so need to find the nearest slipway and hard where we can drag the boat out and scrub her bum, do maintenance etc. should keep lift out fees to a minimum if we do this.

 

[SpottyDog5]

thanlks guys, so to summarise, additional things to sort out are:

decide on marina - done (Ocean Village)
marina contact details -done
give them mine - done
give them the spare set of keys
mooring rope protection to prevent chaffing
ascertain if permissable, fit permanent fenders to the pontopn
take Roy up on his kind offer of fenders
select berth next to short/thin boat - done
checkout mobile phone signal in the marina, change provider if necessary
turn off stopcocks when not at the boat
double up the warps
use larger warps than normal sized for the pontoon
marina access codes
fit (additonal) galvanic isolator if leaving shore power on
ascertain optin for lecky meters


and then a couple more from me that haven't been mentioned

inform Insurance folk that the boat's moving from storage on the hard to a marna and no doubt pay them some extra dosh

we're keeping the trailer locally so need to find the nearest slipway and hard where we can drag the boat out and scrub her bum, do maintenance etc. should keep lift out fees to a minimum if we do this.

Then have a cup of tea.....

 

[oGaryo]

Then have a cup of tea.....

lols.. just spent 3 days hoteling it.. had enough lemonade, tea, lime and soda etc to last a friggin lifetime.. was gagging for a beer by day 3

 

[gjgm]

If you are going to get some larger warps, just check the size of your cleats.. not much good having big rope and small cleats !

No need to go crazy though.. I dont think OV is renown for major storms ripping boats of their berths.
I wouldnt bother leaving shore power on when away.. maybe on a seriously cold spell, but def not Spring-Autumn, so I question a galv isolator.
A meter you can get off ebay fairly often, but MDL seem to sell them new for about £80 anyway.
BTW, there is a speed limit til clear of Hythe Pier, and usually a big Harbour Master launch lurking just inside the line

 

[harstonwood]

Would consider a blown on pontoon Gary, if you have a choice.
So I guess in the Solent you would be mooring west of the finger?
Makes a big difference up north, blown on you really get an advantage using fixed pontoon fenders, and blow off get a lot of warp wear (and creaking!)

 

[kid's inheritance]

Depends on the way the staff operate but I make a point of being on good terms with anyone who can keep an eye on your fenders, ropes etc.
Buy a dog.
This means on each trip you HAVE to wander slowly around each pontoon.
My pal does this and is the font of all gossip. Adapting the "knowledge is power" , gossip = instant popularity!
Looks a nice marina, we did a bit of tight 180 degree work in there for our Day Skipper
Regards
Rob

 

[colingr]

we're keeping the trailer locally so need to find the nearest slipway and hard where we can drag the boat out and scrub her bum, do maintenance etc. should keep lift out fees to a minimum if we do this.

Nearest usable slip is up the river just past the Itchen Bridge, port side by the sailing club.

 

[stuhaynes]

Any particular reason you need to buy a metered lead ... the only reason I could see is because the marina require it .. we don't have one and the metering is done by the marina equipment.

.

I doubt that the marina would allow you to supply your own meter lead (apart perhaps as a secondary check on their meter). We know to our cost just how far out some can be.....