What do I need to bring when checking into a marina?

C

chazaroo

New Member
Dec 4, 2006
415
Florida
Boat Info
1996 Sundancer 250
Engines
single 5.7 w Bravo III
We're planning a little trip and will stop at a couple marinas as we head south from Stuart Florida. What do I need to bring in the way of documentation/equipment that is liable to be required by the marina?

-Chazaroo
 
I’m going to follow this thread.

By us, you need only one thing – cash. Often you need correct change or you forfeit the change you cant make. Say you only have a $20 and overnight slipping is $10, you are out $10. Note: Private marinas will be more money. By us, state marina’s overnight with no power is $10. Power is a little more, but not much. Normally you can not stay more then 2 nights.

Often there is no attendant on duty. You pull an envelope out from a box. You fill out the form and on the lip of the envelope is a duplicate of this form. You tear off the top of the form with the duplicate information and display this on your dash. You put the money in the envelope and slide it in the locked slot of the box.

The system and process is the same as the launch fee at the public boat ramps.

At random times someone comes along with a key and takes the envelopes, checks the boats and has towed, at the owner’s expense, any unattended boats that are not displaying the overnight permit.
 
Not a requirement, but if you are a member of BoatUS be sure to take your membership card. Many marinas offer discounts to members on gas, dockage, etc.

I think Sea Tow may have some similar offerings.
 
Most marinas will require proof of insurance to their accepted limits, registration and the good ones will require a safety inspection at the fuel dock or similar area prior to slipping. This basically is just to check electrical and bilge pump etc are working correctly.

I would carry a copy of your insurance along with other necessary documentation of ownership/registration.
 
RT 240SD said:
Most marinas will require proof of insurance to their accepted limits, registration and the good ones will require a safety inspection at the fuel dock or similar area prior to slipping. This basically is just to check electrical and bilge pump etc are working correctly.

I would carry a copy of your insurance along with other necessary documentation of ownership/registration.
Click to expand...

Not to discredit you or anything but I have never heard of any of this, is this common place? I have been all over the great lakes and never come across this.
 
I was thinking the same thing....I've traveled as a transient from the Chessapeake, to the Long Island sound to up the Hudson into Albany....the only documentation I've ever been asked for is my Credit Card....
 
you need to bring:
- cash to tip the dock hands
- cash to tip the fuel dock guy
- credit card for fuel
- credit card for slip rentals

check to make sure you have the right card. not all cards are accepted at all marinas. you will always have your insurance and CG docs on board, but no one will ask for those.

at most marinas, you will hail them on vhf, and they will direct where to go, even if you have an advance reservation.

make sure you have the appropriate shore power cords, and a water hose. if you have a dockside cable inlet, make sure you bring a cord for that - they don't have them there.

any other maintenance stuff - oils, lubes, filters, etc. it is surprising how unavailable these items are at marinas.

other than that, a coupole beach towels (assuming they have pools), a few bottles of wine, some decent vittles, and your best girl.
 
I've heard that the city marina in Delray Beach requires proof of insurance to a specific level and also a coast guard vessel examination report. Not sure if that's for long term or transient or both.

Chazaroo
 
RT 240SD said:
Most marinas will require proof of insurance to their accepted limits, registration and the good ones will require a safety inspection at the fuel dock or similar area prior to slipping. This basically is just to check electrical and bilge pump etc are working correctly.

I would carry a copy of your insurance along with other necessary documentation of ownership/registration.
Click to expand...

We've stayed transient single nights and weekends at nearly a dozen different marinas on the Chesapeake and have never, ever been asked for any of that information. Basically it's just credit card, and most have taken every card presented (a few didn't take Discover).

Now, our home port marina DOES require your current insurance coverage to be on file in the office. They've never inspected anything, but I'm guessing the outrageous slip fees manage to weed out the less cared for vessels...

We keep a whole set of documentation (insurance, warranties, titling, registration, etc) in a ziploc bag. Never know when you'll need it.
 
chazaroo said:
I've heard that the city marina in Delray Beach requires proof of insurance to a specific level and also a coast guard vessel examination report. Not sure if that's for long term or transient or both.

Chazaroo
Click to expand...

Not when I stayed there this past spring
 
Been cruising up and down the Florida ICW for three years. I've never been asked for documentation of any kind.

You need small bills for tips and vending machines, a credit card, and usually a driver's license for the credit card ID.

You need to have about six dock lines and a few fenders, depending on the slip layout.

It's best to call ahead a day in advance to reserve a slip, they will need to know what size you are.

Municipal marinas are usually cheaper.

Showers and amenities vary. Don't count on hotel-grade facilities.

Scenery and experience: priceless.
 
Yep, Just Cash and Credit Card is all the want :smt021
 
Ron,
Thanks for the info about Delray. Actually, I just printed out a copy of our insurance coverage...probably wouldn't be a bad idea to have it on board anyway. While we're on the subject of marinas, what are your favorite marinas? How about ones to stay away from? We're planning on some cruises between Stuart and Key Largo this summer and a heads up on where to go and where not to go could be a real help.

-Chazaroo
 
Don't forget your shore power cord and a water hose.

In some cases, the power at the slip may not match your boat, specially when you go to marinas that cater to larger yachts. Twice I got a 50 AMP slip and I needed 30 AMP service. The first time, the marina gave me the adapter to borrow. The other time I was SOL.

I also once ran into a marina that didn't have a working water hook up nearby. So I had to run two hoses further down, and use a Y splitter because there was already a hose connected there.

Very rarely have I used them, but now I do carry a 50 to 30 adapter, as well as a 15 to 30 (came with the boat), and the Y splitter for the water.

Esteban
 
Docs to bring Along

I agree with those before me, I'm NEVER asked for anything but, length, draft and payment at commercial and public marinas. But at Private Yacht clubs where you may want privledges at a YC credentials along as well.

But, more importantly you'll want to have with you for practical reasons the following in the event you are boared by City, Coubty, State or Coast Guard officials:

Proof of owership: state registration and or Documentation
Make sure your decals are on. (Fla requires crusiing permits for boats from other States as well)
Copy of Insurance Policy, (Coverage Declaration Page only).
Drivers Licenses or Identifcation for each person aboard.
Make sure your vessel meets all federal requirements for safety equip.

Living in SoFla, it seems I'm boarded for inspection every year or two. In SoFla, the marine patrols are very active 24/7 around big holidays and will be located close to ports or around drinking establishments located on the water.

Have a great trip.
 
Esteban,
Thanks for the tip on 50/30 adapter. :thumbsup:

Chazaroo
 
RT 240SD said:
Most marinas will require proof of insurance to their accepted limits, registration and the good ones will require a safety inspection at the fuel dock or similar area prior to slipping.
Click to expand...
I've stayed at several marinas between New Orleans and Destin as well as a few along the Tenn-Tom and never encountered this situation. I think that only applies in some cases to permanent residents.
 
Like many others, I have never provided anything other than money when checking in to a marina. Not that the other requirements listed here are a bad idea, I've just never been asked to produce them!
 
I just got my June 2007 copy of a Midwest boating magazine called Lakeland Boating.

The last few issues have contained the tellings of a boater making the “Great Loop†starting and I assume eventually ending in the great lakes.

In the end of the installment in the June issue he makes it past the midway point and is headed north along the ICW on the east coast.

In this area he makes specific mention of two items:

- Needing a haul-out for some repairs he needed to provide proof of insurance and a recent survey. When he could not product this, I assume the recent survey part, he was turned away from two Florida ‘gold coast’ area marinas. He did not give names.
- In the Vero Beach area Transient boaters were required to allow other boats to raft-up. Initally worried he did end up giving praises to this idea. He said he ended up touring each others boats and sharing navigational hazard information with boaters traveling in the opposite direction.
 
I'll stand corrected, but I know my marina asks for this info from transients if they don't have a working knowledge of your home marina and know that they check your insurance.
 
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