live aboard priorities for a marina

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by schoonerdog

... Live-aboards come in two different groups, one is the family cruiser with professionals, the other is the bitter barely employed divorced guy drinking on a boat.

Geeze, that's a big drop off between #1 and #2 .

[slug]

I see three different types.

Professional seaman

Successful , Retired , lifelong sailors

And escapists

The latter are typically Pencil neck software developers , with too much money , who grew bored with their Porsche’s plus gizmos Lifestyle , And decided to bring that Failed lifestyle down to the waterfront and start a “new life “

[JPA Cate]

1. Protection from bad weather.
2. Fresh, potable water.
3. Toilets.
3B. Washing machines & dryers.*
4. Electricity one can access.
5. Access to public transportation, or grocery shopping within walking distance. Big plus if there is a good chandlery nearby. *public laundromat nearby would substitute for 3B.

Ann

[gonesail]

Originally Posted by slug

Pencil neck software developers , with too much money , who grew bored with their Porsche’s plus gizmos Lifestyle , And decided to bring that Failed lifestyle down to the waterfront and start a “new life “

you must have a specific marina in mind

[chrisr]

Originally Posted by slug

With more than one live aboard the place develops the ambience of a trailer park

Barking dogs , boat junk on the dock , angry wives and decrepit boats

we resemble that remark !

weekend warriors are far more of a nuisance...

as far as priorities for the marina ;

1. easy access to public transport / town for shopping
2. well protected
3. floating pontoons
4. good security

(i'm assuming good electricity & water is a given)

cheers,

[Simi 60]

Sutera harbour for the win.

[LittleWing77]

Originally Posted by redhead

We wanted/needed to work on our boat and told the marina. They asked us if we "minded" going to the commercial dock and we have been happily sanding,grinding, painting ever since along with all the other boats fishing and pleasure ever since.

What a nice response! Wherever that is, I would say they're gold.

Good luck with your projects,
Warmly,
LittleWing77

[Greg Mason]

I noticed security wasn't on the list. When we lived aboard in downtown Vancouver one of the nicer security items were the gates. They were key in and key out, so anyone landing in the marina by dinghy couldn't get out off the docks. Amazing what you can't carry out when the gate won't open.

[svMarite]

Originally Posted by slug

With more than one live aboard the place develops the ambience of a trailer park



Barking dogs , boat junk on the dock , angry wives and decrepit boats

Your choice to live there....
Poor management of marina for sure.

[CamWrenRoo]

Our priority is none of the above, although those amenities do sound nice. My #1 priority, hands down, is friendly people! I guess my second is wifi, but that's because my school/work depend on it.

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

1. Protection from bad weather.
2. Fresh, potable water.
3. Toilets.
3B. Washing machines & dryers.*
4. Electricity one can access.
5. Access to public transportation, or grocery shopping within walking distance. Big plus if there is a good chandlery nearby. *public laundromat nearby would substitute for 3B.

Ann

I didn't notice that most of these essentials were missing from the list. I guess over our years of cruising in areas with all these basics, we didn't consider them not being available. You made me think of another though, - 'the ability to enter or exit the marina at all times of the tidal range.

[billgewater]

Be wary of recently built marinas that are surrounded by expensive real estate. As a generalization, the owners of the up market houses will complain the first time someone hangs out the laundry or opens a can of paint.
Sometimes the marina is specifically set up to discourage "live aboards" or boat maintenance.
There is a marina just north of Yorkey's Knob (near Cairns, Queensland) that is an excellent example of very poor facilities. It was built for a real estate company who either did not have a clue as to what was preferential for a successful marina or deliberately set about establishing the marina as an attraction to local investors in land. Probably both.

A feature of some marinas worth looking out for is security. My own experience is that there should be very clear notices to discourage outside teenagers from fishing off the marina and that all entrance from the land should be via a management office.
Another important security feature is from the boat residents themselves. If they are encouraged to ask strange faces if they can "help" i.e. make contact with any strangers on the jetties then the likely-hood of security problems is reduced. A good social environment among the residents is also important and the marina should have an easy access meeting place and some place to do minor works such as sanding, small motor overhauls etc. Nearby parking and good access to toilet showers are also essential.

[PHR]

Clean and peaceful. Restaurant nearby. Other liveaboards on similar boats, some of whom have lived here for a decade or more. They do my mail for me. Parks nearby, low traffic, sort of, but close enough to an international airport to fly for work.
My life is still tied to land, but I get to work from home even without a national virus problem. So the marina has to provide reliable access. That stuff all costs money, and the cost was another factor.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by Greg Mason

I noticed security wasn't on the list. When we lived aboard in downtown Vancouver one of the nicer security items were the gates. They were key in and key out, so anyone landing in the marina by dinghy couldn't get out off the docks. Amazing what you can't carry out when the gate won't open.

You certain? Because the fire marshall would have an absolute fit. I have never seen what you describe, I have always seen the button that opens the gate well back from it, so that no one from outside could possibly push it, but to trap propel on the dock during a fire would not seem to be a good idea.

[contrail]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

You certain? Because the fire marshall would have an absolute fit. I have never seen what you describe, I have always seen the button that opens the gate well back from it, so that no one from outside could possibly push it, but to trap propel on the dock during a fire would not seem to be a good idea.

It's not uncommon and it's one way for a marina to keep track of who comes and goes, if they use a key card. I used to manage such a marina.