What makes a perfect liveaboard marina?

[michaeltorras]

What amenities and services does the perfect liveaboard marina have in your opinion?

[ixnax]

Originally Posted by michaeltorras

What amenities and services does the perfect liveaboard marina have in your opinion?

A well stocked Gourmet foods and Fine Wines shop with reasonable hours and an on call attendant. An attended first class bathroom*and shower facility supplied with decent thread count Egyptian cotton towels and appropriate amenities. An experienced*concierge for local recommendations supported by sane jitney drivers providing transport. Free 5G, Netflix and a bikini barista kiosk at the end of each dock. A Tiki Bar and a marina wide no bug policy. I think for starters that should get you up to speed.

[SV DINGO]

Originally Posted by ixnax

A well stocked Gourmet foods and Fine Wines shop with reasonable hours and an on call attendant. An attended first class bathroom*and shower facility supplied with decent thread count Egyptian cotton towels and appropriate amenities. An experienced*concierge for local recommendations supported by sane jitney drivers providing transport. Free 5G, Netflix and a bikini barista kiosk at the end of each dock. A Tiki Bar and a marina wide no bug policy. I think for starters that should get you up to speed.

What about a drop off Laundry?

[Rucksta]

Supermarket, bars, cafes, specialty shops & restaurants within walking distance.
Liquor store within staggering distance.
Stable dock trolleys.
Laundry.
Decentralised amenities blocks.
Undercover parking
Access to sporting amenities (country club) by golf cart.
5 star resort hotel.
Good neighbours.
Security.
Chandlery & marine trade suppliers within dinghy range.
40 min drive to airport.
Brackish water to inhibit marine growth.
One hour or less from cruising grounds or ocean access


Sanctuary Cove Hope Island, Marina Mirage and Versace all come close but none have it all.

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by Rucksta

Supermarket, bars, cafes, specialty shops & restaurants within walking distance.
Liquor store within staggering distance.
Stable dock trolleys.
Laundry.
Decentralised amenities blocks.
Undercover parking
Access to sporting amenities (country club) by golf cart.
5 star resort hotel.
Good neighbours.
Security.
Chandlery & marine trade suppliers within dinghy range.
40 min drive to airport.
Brackish water to inhibit marine growth.
One hour or less from cruising grounds or ocean access


Sanctuary Cove Hope Island, Marina Mirage and Versace all come close but none have it all.

Sounds expensive!

[bobnlesley]

Is it not so much about the facilities - well, other than a bar and perhaps a Supermarket too within staggering distance - but who you're sharing the marina with that makes the difference?.

[Joh.Ghurt]

It really depends on where you are.

Where I am, I really don't need a car for anything, everything can easily done by foot and bicycle. So all those parking space requirements are of no importance.

Gourmet food stores? What are those? I'm in Spain, food is probably always gourmet for those American nekulturny. And every supermarket has tons of decent vines to try at reasonable prices.

Sporting amenities? Why run on a treadmill when you can run along the beach or swim in the sea?

Why the hell would I need a 5-star hotel resort or fancy bars in the marina? The place I stay is basically in the town centre. If I want to go out, I just choose from whatever bar / restaurant there. I haven't visited the marina restaurant in the past year (tried it once and it was only ok)

My list of important features ordered by priority:

• Good security
• Good access to shopping and bars / restaurants without car
• Good neighbours
• Friendly and helpful staff
• Pleasant location
• Clean showers / toilets
• Being able to receive packages easily
• Laundry
• Car parking
• Access to Chandlery close by
• Reasonable transfer to next major airport

[Coquina]

Floating docks is #1!

[Spindrift NH]

Any marina that allows live aboards

[steamgoat]

I think you are at a pretty good one!

[Joh.Ghurt]

Originally Posted by Coquina

Floating docks is #1!

Is this really so important in areas where you have 20cm tides? If so, you'll find no quality marinas in the Mediterranean.

[Rucksta]

Originally Posted by Tetepare

Sounds expensive!

$750 - 1,000 AUD /month for 43' monohull
Electricity & parking included.
Multi hull +50%

[Shrew]

I think this depends on who you ask.

Someone with no ground transportation is going to put a value on proximity to resources like groceries, restaurants, bars, marine services, etc.

Someone with kids is going to put a high value on a pool, beach, playground, arcade, etc.

Someone in the middle of a major refit is going to put weight on access to trades, services, parts, etc.

We've been in marinas with fixed docks and a 3 foot tide. We've been in marinas that are exposed to swell and a lot of wake traffic. For us, floating docks if we are in a tidal area, in good condition, in a well protected marina.

If there isn't access to regular pump outs, then a nice, clean bath house within a reasonable walk is important.

[slugsgomoo]

My marina isn't perfect but I have:

clean bathrooms
free & clean showers
laundry facilities (which have a tv lounge, couch & kitchen, and a deck, if you want to get off the boat for a bit)
easy dinghy access to multiple bars & restaurants
marina staff will come pump your boat in your slip for $5
good security
nicely maintained docks
friendly neighbors (who add to the security as well).

As for floating docks, that's gotta be location dependent. This summer we had -3 to +13.1, and with that kind of swing, they're not optional!

[PLANET EXPRESS]

Just a Marina that allows live aboard so many are stoping that now.