Taking Your Boat Out? Here’s What You Should Look for in a Marina
Next to picking the perfect boat, picking the right marina is one of the most important decisions that a boat owner will have to think about. If you are new to the boating world, then you might not realize the effect the marina you pick will have on your boat trip. Choosing the right marina is much more than just the convenience of location, many other factors will affect the decision of what is the perfect marina for you.
Too many boat owners don’t enjoy their boating experience because they made the wrong choice when they picked the marina. With a bit of research though, it’s not hard to find the right marina for you. There are loads of marinas out there that will be suitable for you and tick all the right boxes. But before you book a spot, make sure you check out all the little details just to make sure that it is the right place for you.
Shelter from the Wind, Waves, and Boat Traffic
If you are after a comfortable stay on your boat, then you should make sure that you have enough shelter from the wind and waves. If your slip is too close to ocean conditions, then you might find that docking your boat can be incredibly difficult, and staying on your boat won’t be an enjoyable experience. If you are planning on taking your friends and family on your boat as well, then you should make sure you pick a marina with calm waters.
You should want you and your guests to be able to enjoy the experience on the boat, so calmer waters are better. You will also find that if you stay in a place where it is very windy, then this could damage your boat equipment, such as chafing to the lines, fenders, and the side of your boat. You might also find that picking a more sheltered marina will mean being out of the way of boat traffic, which will make things a lot easier for you when you want to leave your slip.
Dock Utilities
When you dock your boat, you will want to connect it to the shore power. This is the first thing that you should make sure you do, as not only will this keep your batteries charged but it will allow you to keep your systems (e.g. air conditioning and lights), running for as long as you stay aboard – without having to worry about sorting out a generator or running out of power.
You should check to see if they have any other utilities as well, as you should want to make your stay as comfortable as you can. For example, having easy access to external water makes washing your boat after a saltwater excursion a lot easier. You should also double-check to see if they have things like WiFi, as this way you can stay connected whilst you relax on the water.
Marina Location
Obviously, the location is something which you really need to think about. The location will depend on how you want to spend your time on your boat. For example, do you like to head out into the ocean to fish and look for whales and dolphins? Or do you just want to cruise around the harbor with your friends and have good food? As with any trip, if the location isn’t right for you, then your trip won’t be perfect.
If you are planning a long trip in particular, then these are all things that you should consider. Admittedly, for a shorter trip, it might not matter if you have to travel several miles to get to where you want to go, but if you have to do that every day for a week or two then it might become tedious.
At the end of the day though, there will be a perfect marina for you. Just make sure you take your time and choose your marina carefully. As a side note, if you are a sea enthusiast, then you should check out this article here to learn more about your boat.
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