Selecting a marina for your boat and crew is a decision that affects your budget, needs, and long-term plans. Many believe it’s simply a place to park your boat, but it offers plenty more benefits than that. So, how will you choose? Here are several considerations to aid your search.
Type of Storage They Offer
When looking for a marina on the South Coast, look at the boat storage available. Do they offer wet slips only? What about slips with boat lifts? Some marinas only offer dry stack storage, where the boats are stacked vertically as a space-saving measure. Some have land storage. Carefully consider these options, depending on your vessel, how you prefer to use it, how often, and more. Not all marinas offer the options you like. That’s where research comes in handy. Determine which option suits your needs and filter your choices from the get-go.
Calculate the Drive Time
Consider how long the drive is to get to and from a marina on the South Coast. The last thing you want is to spend too much time on the road. Also, do you often have to go through congested areas? Can you avoid traffic-heavy routes? Make the most of your time by choosing a marina that is easily accessible. Factor convenience into your choice. If you love spending time in your boat, a marina you can quickly get to should be at the top of your list.
Location of the Marina
Location is a chief consideration, too. It’s not enough to choose a marina on the South Coast. Is the marina ideal for your plans? If you love saltwater fishing in an open bay, that could mean fishing grounds you need to access through a cruise, adding another leg to the trip. That means more travel time, expense, and effort. If you love water skiing and fishing, most experts will advise you to steer clear of marinas near a large, open, windswept bay. Also, some marinas are located too close to other places with heavy commercial traffic and could cause future concerns or issues. Read up and research to know what to expect.
Security of the Facilities
Remember to look at the marina’s security. Do they have overnight protection? What access procedures do they have to prevent unauthorized access to and use of your boat? Will they protect your boat from natural hazards, especially when weather conditions turn rough? Are there speed restrictions in the marina to protect the anchored boats? How big is the body of water in the marina? That matters, too, if you want to learn more about the possible damage that your boat might sustain from big boat wakes.
Additional Amenities
Some marinas offer fuel docks, ship stores and bait and tackle shops which are ideal if you love to fish and want to have easy access to much-needed supplies. Do they offer WIFI access, too? What about nearby restaurants or a pool? Some also provide floating homes and houseboats for sale. Consider these options if you want to get more than one boat or are ready to live on a boat in a marina. Remember, though, that the more facilities they offer, the higher the fees.
Waterside Retreats
Some marinas also provide waterside retreats. Does the thought of living on a boat in a marina that’s part of a community appeal to you? Or maybe you want to avoid community events and spend time retreating from the rest of the world? A retreat where you spend the entire week or two just relaxing and recharging your batteries away from the stress and responsibilities of work and life sounds perfect. If you want a getaway residence from the world, consider waterside retreat home.
Boat Services
Not all marinas offer boat services, too. Do you require maintenance and repair services, and not only storage options? It’s convenient to have experts fixing your boat so it’s always ready whenever you want to use it. That’s something you should keep in mind when searching for marinas that hit the mark. Some marinas also offer boat lifting services and antifouling packages. Review the information carefully, so you’ll know if they suit your needs.
Unique Attractions
What about choosing a marina located in a historic city town centre? That’s also another option to consider. The location sounds unique and can be an added incentive to move into the area. Are you interested in buying a boat for a home? Do you plan on living there for a few weeks or months a year? Or do you want to turn that into your permanent residence? Many marinas help make that possible. You can even get an address, making it easier to establish a home on the water. If you’ve always had a dream to live on a boat, living in a marina can be the perfect solution, providing the freedom and security you want.
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