No matter how many boats you have owned in your lifetime, or whether you are a seasoned sailor or a novice, there is one thing that you can not do without. You will definitely need somewhere to moor your boat when it is not in use.
However, with so many marinas available and so many options to choose from, how do you know what to look for? Are they all alike? Aren’t they just essentially parking lots for boats? Here are a few handy things to look out for when choosing a marina
3 Things to Consider When Searching for the Right Marina
You could be forgiven for thinking that all marinas are the same, however, there are some significant differences between them, and knowing what these differences are is essential for choosing the right one for you.
Of course one of the most important criteria is the marina’s location and its proximity to where you live. After all, they do say it’s all about the location, location, location. However, it is also essential to consider some wider factors such as the parking situation and security in the marina. No doubt you will want your family and friends to join you too on your boating excursions, and knowing that your marina is a safe haven for everyone will give you that added peace of mind.
Since the choice of your marina can have a big impact on your overall boating experience, it is important to take a good look at some of these differences so you can come to an informed decision you are happy with.
1. Convenient Access
One of the first things you should consider is how easily you can access the marina, and once you are there, how straightforward it is to take your boat out onto the open water Furthermore, you need to find out whether there is plenty of parking available, and if there are any necessary amenities nearby?
A Word About Parking
Waterfront land is at a premium, therefore boat owners will typically face some parking challenges. This means that you may also have limited room available for loading and unloading your boat. These challenges can be frustrating, and this is part of the reason why it is so important to always take a closer look at a number of these factors before choosing a marina for your boat. Although there is always competition for the best marinas, they will often offer their customers dedicated and secure parking and loading bays. They will also have modern marina trolleys and the latest technologies conveniently located for customers to make their transition to the water as easy as possible.
Having the Right Amenities Available
Another key factor to consider when shopping for a marina is the availability of essential amenities nearby. You need to think about what essential supplies you could be needing on your boating trip and when you are mooring. Are there any supermarkets, convenience stores, eateries or restaurants nearby? How easily could you get gas should you run out? Are there any mechanics, hipwrights, painters, or marine electricians you could easily call on? Having these services handy means that should you need them, you won’t have to worry about finding them and calling them out to you, or worse still, having to take your boat out of the water to have it taken away to be repaired.
2. Operating Times
Before you sign on the dotted line, always check the marina’s operating times. There will be times when the marina is closed or only open to certain types of traffic, and you need to make sure that this suits your needs. You will have an idea how often and when you’d like access to your boat, and therefore you need to take into consideration the marina’s opening hours especially during the weekends and holidays
You also need to consider the local businesses’ operating hours. Most businesses will do their best to stay open when the marina is busy, but it is always best to ensure that their operating times are more or less aligned with your boating plans.
3. Protecting Your Boat From Exposure
When you moor your boat in a marina, you naturally put your trust in the facility that will protect your vessel, to the best of their ability, from unforeseen circumstances such as acts of nature, vandalism, or even thieves. A reputable facility should always be able to tell you what measures they have put in place to circumnavigate some of these eventualities. For example, there should be measures put in place to protect your boat from extreme weather and winds, even if you are not using your boat at the time Extreme weather conditions can place additional strain on your equipment which can easily result in damage to your boat such as chafing to lines, fenders, and maybe even damage to the body of your boat.
Finding the Best Marina Near You
Taking the time to work through these few suggestions will help you make a more informed decision when choosing the perfect marina for your pride and joy. If you are located in or around Sydney, Australia, Corleone Marinas are just what you have been searching for. We are passionate about what we do and our sole purpose is to offer the best possible services to our highly valued customers.
The reason so many customers fall in love with our marina is because it is a cut above the rest. Not only is it in the most gorgeous setting, but it is also easily accessible and it has a number of useful local amenities on the doorstep, such as shipwrights, mechanics, moorings, wet berths, and slipways for boats up to 60 feet. With us, you are guaranteed to get the perfect combination of luxury and convenience at your fingertips.
For more information on what we can offer, please contact our friendly team, and we would be delighted to help you with any queries and hopefully become your marina of choice and our valued customer.
