Marina Etiquette Tips

[Presentation]

Based on personal experience and observation I have come up with the below list of etiquette tips for getting along at the marina.

If you have additional suggestions please add them.

- At areas where multiple boaters need to use the same location like the gas dock, waste pump-out station or launch ramp, do what you need to do then move your boat. If you need to go to the bathroom, talk to another person or purchase some supplies do this after you have vacated these areas.

- Keep dock lines, water hoses, power cords and other such items neatly coiled and placed in such a way that they are not a tripping hazard or mess to other people using the docks.

- If it’s a windy day or tight quarters it’s considered polite to help another boater dock. Normally this means someone that is docking within a couple of slips from where you are. This often requires nothing more then holding a line if tossed to you until a person form the boat is able to tie it off the way they prefer.

- Obey no wake inside any marina with plenty to spare. If you are going to error, error on the side of going too slow.

- If you are tying up along a guest wall do so in such a manor that your boat does not hog more room then it should. If there is a 60 foot wall and you have a 28 foot boat don’t take your 28 feet out of the middle. Pick one side or the other.

- Along a sea wall use a spring line in each direction so your boat does not move in either direction causing your boat to hit another boat.

- Turn your VHF radio to LOW power so if you make a call when close to other boats you do not damage other boater’s radios.

- Do not use the VHF radio for boat to land based communications unless it is with a licensed shore station like the marina itself. Not only does this clutter the airways its illegal per the FCC. Use a family frequency hand held or cell phone for this purpose.

- Keep music / TV volume at a reasonable level. Sound travels very well over the water. Keep this in mind when talking too.

- Keep your kids off other people’s boats and under reasonable control. Don’t let them grab and play with other boater’s water lines, dock lines, etc.

- Respect quiet hours. This varies marina to marina. Mostly I see this posted as after 11:00PM but may be different in the marina you are at so check.

- Return dock carts to their proper location when finished using.

 

[sebagoman007]

Those are all excellent. Should be common sense but sadly, all too often that isn't the case.

If I may add a couple:

1.) Same level of courtesy that you describe for the gas dock should also be applied to parking your terrestrial vehicle. Blocking pierheads, restroom access, the dumpster and other folks' vehicle access is just plain rude.

2.) Curb your pets! (noise as well as, um, waste)

I'm sure there are more, but those two hit home for me.

Nice job!

Bill

 

[Nehalennia II]

Doug and Lisa.....and Bill.
Looks like you have it covered. There are a few occasions I have been involved with or adjacent to the "Crazy Weekend" (4th of July-Memorial Day-Labor Day...Canada Day...etc) gathering of boats. Knowing how much many boating people look forward to or plan for these "Cut Loose Party nights" we usually play the role "if you can't beat 'em join 'em" or we are the 3 or 4 boats bringing that Armada party to our favorite Destinations. We are fortunate here to have enough marina's that are known for their civility and others that are known for and welcome that "Happy Boating Community"looking forward to adult time. Either way you can tell what mode everyone is in and adapt accordingly......Common sense indeed.....but like Bill said it's too bad sometimes Common Sense doesn't come in a Coors Light can :huh:
I don't have to much to add, but staying out of the way, being courteous and mindful seem to keep me out of trouble and a good dock friend

 

[osd9]

- If it’s a windy day or tight quarters it’s considered polite to help another boater dock. Normally this means someone that is docking within a couple of slips from where you are. This often requires nothing more then holding a line if tossed to you until a person form the boat is able to tie it off the way they prefer.

Along the same line....a hand getting OFF the dock or OUT of the slip is also appreciated....

 

[sbw1]

I would add keeping your Sealand carbon filter on the holding tank up to its entended purpose so you don't spoil your neighbor's morning coffee or evening happy hour. :smt001

 

[Nehalennia II]

I would add keeping your Sealand carbon filter on the holding tank up to its entended purpose so you don't spoil your neighbor's morning coffee or evening happy hour. :smt001

This one needs to go to the top o' the list.
We were victims of this this last June......we thought our dock-mate neighbors were dropping raw sewage.

 

[Freebyrdjason]

I'm all for helping folks at the Marina and all, but half the time you lend a helping hand and they either look at you like your crazy or are unapperciative! Great topic by the way...

 

[Nehalennia II]

I'm all for helping folks at the Marina and all, but half the time you lend a helping hand and they either look at you like your crazy or are unapperciative! Great topic by the way...

That's when you shove them in the water........ :thumbsup: :smt101 :huh:

 

[chuck1]

I'm all for helping folks at the Marina and all, but half the time you lend a helping hand and they either look at you like your crazy or are unapperciative! Great topic by the way...

That's when you shove them in the water........ :thumbsup: :smt101 :huh:

I was thinking the same thing, just could not bring myself to type it. :thumbsup: :smt043 :thumbsup:

 

[jrirvine]

No Karaoke after 11 PM or after 6 beers – whichever comes first.

 

[Presentation]

I'm all for helping folks at the Marina and all, but half the time you lend a helping hand and they either look at you like your crazy or are unapperciative! Great topic by the way...

Don’t let it get you down. Sometimes the opposite happens.

Once, after helping another boater, the older skipper tried to hand me a TIP. I said ‘no thanks’ but he replied “Take it sunny, I know they dont pay you guys very much†to which I replied “They don’t pay me at all. I don’t work here. I keep my boat here just like you. (pointing) That’s my boat over thre.â€

 

[skolbe]

I think you should always offer to help. But, some people don't want help. I personally would prefer not to have help getting in and out of the slip unless it is super windy. On the gas dock where it is in tight quarters help is always appreciated when the wind blows you back into the gas dock.

 

[sebagoman007]

Skolbe, your point is well taken.

I try to be there when someone is making an approach, but don't grab anything or shove off unless they ask. I take (some) pride in my boat handling, and usually manage fine on my own vessel. However, there have been a few times I've been awfully grateful that a neighbor showed up with a boathook!

Stubborn Yankee pride on my part, I guess...............

Bill

 

[MAKC]

I was helped so much this year as i began to learn to dock and undock, that i always help anyone i see coming into our Marina or any other place where i can safely be of assistance. Ive endeavored to not only pay that courtesy BACK to all those that helped me, but to pay it FORWARD to others as well.

 

[sbw1]

A nice couple helped us tie up our 30 foot weekender a few years ago. The guy commented on how nice the boat looked. Two weeks later he drove it home to his dock. We've been friends every since that common act of courtesy. He just sold it last year and bought a 37 Express. :grin:

 

[rondds]

is there a way we can get all the clueless teenagers that have summer jobs at gas docks to read this stuff? at our marina (and many others i've been to) they just sorta stand there like pilings. on one occasion, as i was trying to squeeze in between two other boats with a 25 knot wind pushing my boat towards the gas dock, this nimrod watched with a blank look on his face as the boat banged into the pier. it is NOT risking life and limb to simply fend off the bow as it approaches at an angle.

these guys should also direct gas dock traffic a bit too. if there's boat hogging up the middle of the gas dock but not yet fueling up, they should move that boat up or back so as to condense space and allow other boats to get into position at the dock.

 

[Chris989]

You'll notice that, at least here in Washtington, the gas dock attendents tend to dissapear to do other busy things once you start fueling. Any sheen in the water, even from a minor ven-burp, is a reportable spill for the facility and vessel. I think for these facilities, it all comes down to a liability issue.

As far as help in and out of slips, it's one of the major benefits of joining a cruising club or yacht club. Most members, as they get to know one another, provide as much or as little assistance as each vessel captain wants. I've had my boat literally surrounded with well coordinated help, backing out of a tight stack in a 25 knot cross wind.

 

[Presentation]

....teenagers that ....just sorta stand there like pilings......

:smt017 hmmmmm

:smt115 I know

Use a cleat hitch on the end of your line attached to your boat cleat and a clove hitch on the teenager. :thumbsup:

 

[jrirvine]

is there a way we can get all the clueless teenagers that have summer jobs at gas docks to read this stuff? at our marina (and many others i've been to) they just sorta stand there like pilings. quote]

The little gas dock females, in bikini tops, expect tips for how they look - not for being helpful. :wink:

 

[rondds]

i havent come across any of those dockhands. i'm talking the 17yo mouth-breathing surfer dude with headphones dangling. you know the type - they make jeff spicoli look like a nobel prize winning physicist. this guy has NO redeeming qualities. at least bikini chicks would be easy on the eyes :smt038 .