What makes a good marina?

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BlueSkyNick

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When visiting a marina, what aspects make it better than another?

I am thinking:
Being allocated a berth with clear instructions on how to find it, side to, etc
Decent facilities especially loos and showers
Welcoming and intelligent marina staff.
Access to shops, pubs and restaurants.

Also, what about as a permanent base. Does this change the priorities?
A safe and secure berth would be top of my list.

Just interested in what others think .....
 
For a permanent base.

1) Sheltered in all wind / sea directions.
2) Good security aganst the rif raf trying to break in
3) attentive dock masters to do the rounds and make sure nothing untoward happening
4) Price
5) Good Access to the road network. ( i.e. no 30 minute crawl through rush hour traffic to do the last 2 miles)
6) Good Laying up / refit facilities.

For a visit.

1) Sheltered against expected wind / sea
2) Access to "entertainment" of your chosen kind
3) Showers & Toilets that won't make you ill.
 
MoodyNick said:
Being allocated a berth with clear instructions on how to find it, side to, etc
Decent facilities especially loos and showers
Welcoming and intelligent marina staff.
Access to shops, pubs and restaurants.
Click to expand...

Not sure who wants shops. Otherwise you describe Shotley to a tee. Whilst waiting in the lock the HM comes down with a plan of the marina and a highlighted route to the berth. If you are rigged portside to then he will try to give you a berth the same. The best and most helpful I have seen.
 
Wide fairways
Marina staff actively silencing clanging rigging
Enough cleats in the right places
Breakwaters for wash
Security taking some action if party boats make a racket after midnight
Basic items like milk and bread available in the marina office or onsite
Showers and toilets within reasonable distance from berth
 
How about easy access in and out, as opposed to access for one hour before high water?

Alternative temporary moorings nearby in case you don't quite make it back in in time. Or just because it's not convenient to stay out for 12 or 24 hours...

(These two seem like priorities to me right now. It's not a great feeling when you're struggling back with a dodgy engine, no one answering on the VHF, and you get there ten minutes after the gate shut with nowhere else to go.)

Other than that, a decent bit of water in the marina to practice stuff with the kids is nice.

A secluded place is nice too, rather than somewhere with a promenade and a shopping centre above, for everyone passing by to lean on the railings looking down into your boat, eyeing up your electronics and checking out just how easy it is to climb around the security gates.

Other people to chat with and ask advice from makes a big difference too, rather than some of those ghost marinas where you don't see anyone and don't hear anything other than the mournful clacking of rigging on masts...

;)

Steve.
 
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Internet access to weather sites.
Dockies happy to take lines if requested
Recognition that some boats have restrictions on manoeuverability, and a willingness to put them in easier berths
Smiling faces
(for visitors)Loyalty discounts
Plenty of water hoses
Free electricity
A surfeit of trollies
Anti bird-roosting measures
Clean pontoons
Open cleats, not loops, and plenty of them

Oh, and topless go-go dancers
 
MoodySabre said:
Not sure who wants shops..
Click to expand...

Shops are where SWMBO has to go to restock the fridge with food for you to eat, or even beer to drink.

Not sure about the IQ level in Shotley. A recent example in the restaurant.

Me to waitress at till: "i'll pay for my mates dinner we both had the same at £9.50 each" (holding out a £20 pound note)
Waitress: "Thank you very much that will be twenty pound"
Me: "ermm .... how do you work that out?"
W: "2 times 9.50 is twen...... no it's not, its £19" (blushes)

She gave me £1 change which I immediately gave back. Of course, none of us laughed at all, despite having had a few beers ! :D
 
Neighbours that frap their halliards, and don't park with their anchor overhanging the walkway.
Oh, and a boat over the other side of the marina that holds an overwhelming attraction for the birds, so that they all go and sit on it, and not on my boat. That's the feathered variety. :)
 
Ample supplies of bog paper in the bogs.

Soap/shampoo dispensers in the showers.

Showers where the dry part of the cubicle remains dry.

Showers with good ventilation - no point in trying to dry off if sauna-like conditions exist post shower.

Showers with elbow room for big lads.
 
MoodyNick said:
When visiting a marina, what aspects make it better than another?
Click to expand...
Based on visits in a wee Westerly Jouster, I'd say

1. Security. That means both locks to the pontoons and reasonable number of other people around/nearby to discourage the casual robber.

2. Peaceful. A bit of bustle is fine, but major partying can be a bit wearing

3. Good showers. Hot, clean, lots of water, nice changing facilities

4. Petrol available at a pontoon or nearby.

5. Friendly staff

6. Cheapness

I'm not too concerned about the berth, because a 1 ton boat with a fin keel and a steerable outboard can get in anywhere!
 
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