What makes a perfect liveaboard marina?

[JPA Cate]

I think this is a good starting place:

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


However, the nicest place to stay in a Marina that we've been back to a number of times used to have an active live aboard community. Everybody looked after everybody else, and a bunch got together and fund raised, so there was a eventually a shaded picnic area, with gas fired barbecues, and group potlucks twice a week. Someone donated a little TV, and someone else some foam cushions, and the kids had the TV in the laundry so they could hang out together. There was a small herb garden that everyone took care of and was free to take from. Then the kids grew up, and it changed. People moved into land based housing, and then Covid came. So it's still changing. There's more issues with theft, as well.

Ann

[Lostsailor13]

I liveaboard north of Boston and quite a few marinas up this way allow liveaboards,the one im at now is a pretty reasonable deal,every thing i need is within 10 min drive,my job is 20 minutes,rates are fair and pay monthly,nice showers,laundry,parking,tbe only thing is security there was a handful of things stolen off the boats this summer,and there is a safe harbor in Salem that still allows liveaboards at sljps and the mooring field

[Lepke]

A private dock or a marina you own.

[boatman61]

A good supermarket within staggering distance..
Good Tapa's Bars.. also within staggering distance..

Oh.!!! and good showers..

[Hillbillybuddha]

The last marina I was at. I really loved that place. Miles of hiking trails. Large organic gardens, with fresh fruit, nuts, veggies and eggs available daily for the taking. A free stocked coffee bar. A staff pumped out your boat weekly. Bathrooms and laundry rooms were clean. They had free bicycles, paddle boards and kayaks for your use. Friendly neighbors. But most of all, it was quiet. No late night parties. No drunk arguments. No halyards slapping. It was paradise.

[sagablu]

The marina down the road from where I live has a brewery on site. Certainly an important amenity that all should have access to

[Navi2016]

www.Spruceharbour.com

[Chayal]

For us, it’s access to water and power. That’s all. It seems it’s getting harder to find a live aboard marina in general (Vancouver). We also have a parking spot so can easily drive to a laundry, groceries.

It’s nearly the same price to rent a parking spot in Vancouver than my moorage for a 38’ boat so that’s a bonus.

[BuoyCall]

Anyone regret living in a marina, and wish they didn't sell the house or condo and have a land-based home to come home too? I want to sell everything; wife wants a home base either a house or condo to come home too. I don't ever want to come home, thus the debacle. Trying to visit the nicer marinas when we get out of town to influence her...not sure it's working. Can't see paying for house/condo's upkeep if we are gone for months or a year on end, let alone HOA fees. Ugh

[BuoyCall]

Originally Posted by Navi2016

www.Spruceharbour.com

That's a nice marina right there...only problem it's on the wrong coast..lol

[gonesail]

a nearby hotel (and shopping) is a huge plus. free beer in a nice lounge. the list goes on

[flightlead404]

A sufficient head to headcount ratio, clean and well maintained bathrooms/showers, well maintained docks that don't put stray current into the water, have bumpers that aren't coming off, cleats that don't pull out, and wood that doesn't splinter.

Well maintained laundry facilities with sufficient washers/dryers.

Walking, biking distance to supermarket, good restaurants and also dive bars.

Active friendly non-insular marina community

Solid dependable WiFi, without filtering

Pumpouts in the slip

Friendly helpful staff

On-site security staff 24hrs who'll respond to noise complaints

I'd prefer somewhere well away from golf (despise it and its ecologically destructive)

[Montanan]

What makes a perfect liveaboard marina?

24 Hour Room Service [including bar serivce]
Laundry Service
Housekeeping Service
Concierge Service
Valet Service
Personal Shopper Service
Pet Walker and Pet Sitting Service
Dock Line Tiers
Deck Cleaners
Bottom Scrubbers
Seal and Otter Feeders
Fish Cleaners
. . .

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by BuoyCall

Anyone regret living in a marina, and wish they didn't sell the house or condo and have a land-based home to come home too? I want to sell everything; wife wants a home base either a house or condo to come home too. I don't ever want to come home, thus the debacle. Trying to visit the nicer marinas when we get out of town to influence her...not sure it's working. Can't see paying for house/condo's upkeep if we are gone for months or a year on end, let alone HOA fees. Ugh

You resolved your own question with the first six words. You need not to have stated or pondered further.

First Law of the Sea for Happily Married Couples:

Wife = Admiral / SWMBO She Who Must Be Obeyed

Husband = Seaman, second class [a.k.a., dispatchable deckhand].



The obvious and appropriate and time proven approach: Go live aboard for a year or two then determine if the two of you would desire to sell everything including your [in particular, her] home.

No need to jump into unknown waters with both feet when one can just as easily and more assuredly wade in.

It is typical to have one's home port listed below the vessel's name on the stern of a boat and that is for a good reason, as that is where HOME is, not where HOME was.

If one does not have a HOME to return to, then the vessel should list under its name:

Port - Unknown.

or

Port - Not Applicable

or

Port - TBD

or

Port - Seeking

or

Port - Departed

[BuoyCall]

OMG I am laughing my ass off. Yes you are totally right, which would mean def downsizing from our 4k sqr' home now, won't need this when kids move out. I told them once they walk out the door, you're not coming back, lol. Was needing the money from this sale to buy the boat anyhow then live on my pension while working part time aboard while she sleeps in the aft cabin on facebook. Guess I'll start looking at 1-2 bedroom condos with cheap hoa fees (ugh) somewhere in central Florida's east coast. Cheers!!!