What makes a good marina?

I'm firmly of the opinion that all manner of evils can be acceptable providing the staff are totally resolute in managing the visitor/resident as a valued customer....

I have several marinas that I like in particular, and when I think about it, they are all ones where the staff are very helpful, friendly and thoughtful... and has little to do with the quality or otherwise of the facilities...
 
MoodyNick said:
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
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I thought a 5% tip was a bit stingy, but felt obliged to do the same when it was my turn to pay, so as not to show you up :D

Re your question, I think it's mostly been said. Above all, people want to feel welcome, whether they pay £££££ for annual moorings or are just staying overnight. That's an amalgam of decent facilities, good security, control of anti-social elements at 3.00 am and courteous staff. If marinas provide this, then I think they'll be regarded as providing value for money, even if they are charging premium prices. (I'm talking particularly about the Solent, here, but I expect you guessed that).
 
I was interested to note that security is mentioned in many of the responses. One of the main differences between Britain and the Continent is that in Europe, there is little or no security as we understand it. I remember Treguier when the marina had just opened - the locals used the pontoons as a promenade in the evenings, and you'd be sitting on your boat saying 'bonjour' to Granny and the family. In Stralsund, the marina is on the north mole, and anyone has access to the pontoons, since people promenade along the mole. Even in Poland, there is no great security [they had a bod, called the bosman, there 24 hours a day, but I suspect he's asleep most of the night]. In fact, I can't think of a European marina which has 'security' in the sense of locking off the pontoons and putting spikes round the gates!

Does this say something about Britain?
 
You're right, it is interesting that a number of replies mention security, but nobody has mentioned safety. eg, non-rotting pontoons, lifebuoys in good order, etc. I guess these are things that we walk past, taking them idly for granted.

Not sure about the Britain comment - we bought our boat in Spain, with brand new RIB, engine, solar panels and wind gennie on the back because the lot had been nicked just before we bought the boat. This was in an open harbour, where the boat was by the road, and literally a daylight robbery.
 
If I am visiting these are the factors I look for the most in order of importance:

1) Extremely clean services and showers.
2) Must have pontoons and finger berths
3) Must be sheltered
4) Ease of access to water and power
5) Power included in price


For my annual berthing:
1) Near home (I am afraid this limits the choice)
2) Finger pontoon
3) Shore power included in price
4) Sheltered
 
When visiting, really do appreciate staff who make an effort to find me a nice berth - not a tiny, down-tide, inside one in an empty marina at spring tides (thanks, Port Hamble). And who will give me a hint as to where it is, particularly after dark - is it really so unreasonable to ask for more detail than just the number & which side to in an unknown marina?

At home, all the usual things - plus it's nice to be somewhere with pleasant walks/pubs in the vicinity, for all those weekends when the engine's conked out/it's blowing a F7/HWMBO won't get out of bed in the morning.....
 
It's true that the requirements for your permanent berth are completely different from those as a visitor - I've never even looked at the laundry facilities in my home marina!
I arrive at the boat with a car full of food and booze, so I don't care where the nearest supermarket is. Cruising I anchor somewher nice unless I need to charge the batteries, fill the tanks and replenish stores, so I want all those from the marina.

One thing not mentioned - I do appreciate the chance to freeze my cool packs in the marina's freezer and to buy ice. I have a wee fridge on the boat, but can't really generate enough amps to run it reliably.
 
MoodySabre said:
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.
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Berthed there Saturday night 17th Oct. Very pleasant, nice clean ablutions block. Only complaint - no chocolate available (from the bar, not ablutions block!)
 
After going in to 46 ports around UK in the past couple of years I can only say that there are a few that I would recommend as being near perfect for the visitor. They do depend for their acceptability in my book, mainly on the quality of the staff.
For good'uns try these:
Campbeltown
Ardglass
Ballycastle
Milford Haven
Arklow
Newlyn

and probably the best and unlikely one, in most peoples estimation, is Peterhead.

The Norwegian marinas are having some problems recently in that the 3 ft disease (each new boat is 3 ft longer than its predecessor) means boats are getting broader and unlikely to fit between the pontoon fingers. My modest 10 ft beam manages OK mostly. But this is something our marinas will have to get to grips with too.
 
Not that I am a marina resident ,but I reckon a reciprocal berthing arrangement with all marinas, provided you show your current berthing record,so that you have some priority when radioing in for an overnight berth.
Alternatively, a green or red 'flag' on vacant berths for visiting yachts.
An effort to squeeze you into a berth when inclement weather outside.(Even if it means mooring alongside Snooks
 
Here, Here

Searush said:
What makes a marina better? - Shutting it down & laying moorings?
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I began cruising in the days when Marina was just a girl's name, and that's how I would have liked it to remain. I am glad that in later life I was trusted to skipper yachts too big to get into most marinas and was forced to find a quiet anchorage for the night, or a few days stay.
 
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