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.

 

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.

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

 

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.

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.

 

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

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

 

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.

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.

 

- 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.

Just to expand on this, we stayed at the Municipal Marina for few days leading up to the Easter weekend. We were in one of a handful of slips behind the gas dock. We have been there several times, and always reserved a slip way in advance. They don't tie boats together in the slips.

The marina has an expansive mooring field just north of the slips. Because of the crowd, they were doubling and trippling up boats at the mooring buoys. It was an apparently smooth running operation. The next boat in contacted the dockmaster on the VHF, and was told what buoy to move to and what kind of boat to look for. Often the boat on the buoy hailed the incoming boat and said he was getting ready. I found this all fascinating. Also it was quite a sight. From the doc, it looked like boat mating season.

 

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

Let me recall some places, and I'll probably send a PM.

Meanwhile please visit these web sites for marina listings.

http://www.marinapal.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67

http://marinas.com/search/?search=1&q=delray beach

At Marinas.com, you can enter a city & state in the search window, and get a number of nearby marinas. I think I had to register to be able to use everything on the site. The pictures are worth a thousand words. You'll want to contact them for latest conditions, etc.

 

[ From the doc, it looked like boat mating season.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Esteban makes a good point. I have been to a marina where even though i had told them I need 30amp service they had me in a 50 amp slip... the guy handed me an adapter and said I hope that works... luckily it did because it was the only one he had. Otherwise I would have been SOL. Gotta hate spending the night without power when you planned on it :smt009

 

chazaroo,

sent you PM.


Also, here is a link to great arial photos.
http://www.skypic.com/florida.htm

 

I like to go to the website of a marina I plan on visiting and print out a map of their dock layout. Just make it a little easier to find your slip when they give you a number over VHF...