HOW TO EVALUATE A POTENTIAL MARINA

EVALUATE A POTENTIAL MARINA
The marina you choose will be your home base: the place where you hang out when you are not cruising, and where you repair and maintain your boat. For these reasons, you want to be comfortable there.

If you need a new home for your boat, the fastest way to precheck marinas that might accommodate you and your boat is to consult a cruising guide for information on water depth, types and numbers Of slips or mooring available, harbor accessibility, and facilities.
Once you have narrowed down your selection, take a road trip to your cruising grounds to check out each possibility. If you are inclined, ask boat owners what they think of the place. Chat with the marina manager or dockmaster to find out what slips or moorings are available for your size boat. If a particular marina seems like a good possibility, obtain pricing info and review the contract. A contract protects you as well as the marina. Is there a discount for prepayment? What are your responsibilities and liabilities? Negotiate changes before you sign.
lys easy to get caught up in appearances. NO matter how well-appointed a marina' s facilities are, it may not be the right spot for you to keep your boat. For example, one marina we called home for several summers had a skinny mile-long channel we needed to travel to reach open water. A sailboating friend there had to wait for high tide to enter or leave his slip to avoid going aground. As you stroll through each facility, envision it from a cruising perspective. Keep sharp eye on the activity in progress, and be sure to ask a lot of questions.
Consider this laundry list Of situations:

What will it take for you to navigate from your slip or mooring to the nearest outlet to a Will you have to deal with bridge openings, tidal issues, or long, narrow channels?
Is the water in the marina too shallow for your boat? Will you have to wait for high tide to depart or return to your slip or mooring?
Is the lift used to launch and pull boats large enough to accommodate your boat?
Are the lanes between d roomy enough to allow boats to maneuver in and out of slips?
Are the slips subject to wakes from passing boat traffic?
Where is the closest fuel dock—on the premises, down the river? Will it be convenient to your future cruising?
What facilities are available for pumping out marine discharge?
Is there a roving pump-out boat for the area? Does your marina have its own pump-out facility?
What' s the neighborhood like? Will your boat be safe when you are not aboard? Is the marina entry guarded or kept locked from intruders?
Is the marina kept clean and neat with few obstructions on the wharves and in the parking areas?
Are water and electricity convenient to areas where boats are stored for the season? You will need access if you plan to bottom paint, wax, and clean your boat while it's on the hard.
What is the marina's reputation for repair work? Will it allow outside contractors to work on your boat?
Can you work on your own boat?
Are the head and shower facilities clean and in good operating condition? Is there a laundry room?
Are convenience items, like carts, provided for hauling gear to your boat? Does it have picnic tables and gas grills for Sunday night suppers?
Is there a restaurant or takeout deli on the premises or within walking distance? A small convenience store for I-forgot groceries, newspapers, snacks ?

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