What do you do when a marina is full?

[Xlantic]

In the Baleares, as a last resort, I would tie up alongside a fishing boat. The fishermen did not mind. The only inconvenience was the need to let them out at 4 or 5 in the morning, unless it was a Sunday or a holiday!

[Terra Nova]

Boat brokers always have extra slips they hoard. And are usually only too happy to collect some rent if they are empty. Also many yacht clubs offer reciprocal mooring/slip privileges for members of other select yacht clubs.

[valhalla360]

In the modern world between VHF and a cell phone, it's almost always poor planning on your part if you arrive with no prior notice.

[msrcal36]

First things first: Handheld VHF under $100. Don't leave the dock without one:
Amazon.com : Uniden VHF Waterproof Two-Way Marine Radio (MHS75) : Vhf Handheld Radio : Electronics
Cheers
Mike

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by Nicks

Hi,

As a new owner of a sailboat I am wondering what you do if you get to a marina and there are no empty guest-slips?

(Note: Small 27 foot sailboat without VHF)

Well, we call first to see if they have room for us. If not, we go to another marina. Anchoring would be another option in some circumstances.

Usually we call a few hours ahead of time so we can make other plans if necessary.

[df1995]

Originally Posted by Nicks

Hi,

As a new owner of a sailboat I am wondering what you do if you get to a marina and there are no empty guest-slips?

(Note: Small 27 foot sailboat without VHF)

You're a fool to sail without VHF. One can buy a handheld for well under a hundred dollars. A VHF is an essential safety device AND you can call ahead to determine if a marine has space.

Marine Waterproof Handheld VHF Radios on Sale

A fixed radio with mast antenna has greater range is costs little more

Marine Basic VHF Radios on Sale

[rognvald]

No marina will refuse you if weather is deteriorating and you are unable to anchor safely. Call them on the VHF and if they tell you they are full, tell them you are requesting "safe harbor" due to changing weather conditions and concern for safety of the captain and crew. Good luck and good sailing.

[hellosailor]

Nick-
Here in the Colonies, things are often different. But the most reliable way to reach marina staff has been the cell phone, for nearly 20 years now. There are usually books, cruising guides, etc. that list all the marinas AND their contact information, and having that aboard is priceless.
The VHF is often with someone on the docks, or on the launch, or simply busy doing other things. The phones tend to get answered more often, in my experience.
Some will reserve a spot, all will at least tell you if they are nearly full up, or where else you can try to dock, moor or anchor. If you ask nicely, if it often possible they will raft you up to another boat, or allow you to use an empty (gone for the day) spot, especially if the weather is nasty, the hour is late, and you really need a spot. Sometimes they'll use a fuel dock or pumpout dock for that, and just tell you that you've got to be gone by first light.


If all else fails, you are in Denmark. Call the local funeral home, tell them that you can give them a bargain on a ship that is all ready for a proper Viking funeral, but they've got to do it TONIGHT. Solves the problem of having a boat that needs to be docked, right? (G)

[hamburking]

This is a trick question. I go to anchorages. Big coves and bays are rarely so full that one more boat won't fit.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by rognvald

No marina will refuse you if weather is deteriorating and you are unable to anchor safely. Call them on the VHF and if they tell you they are full, tell them you are requesting "safe harbor" due to changing weather conditions and concern for safety of the captain and crew. Good luck and good sailing.

Not true. The marina can refuse you if they want to. It happened to me once. I called around and found another marina that had space for my boat.

[Captain Yiannis]

There is no marina with no empty place in the world.
So have in mind that is always important
... what are you asking for
and ....who is at the other end ...

[rwidman]

What's hard for me to understand is, if you have no VHF, what do you plan on doing, cruising into a marina and tying up in any vacant slip? That vacant slip might belong to someone who is out for the day and will be returning, intending to tie up in his slip.

You have to call the marina on the VHF or telephone and find out if they have room for your boat and where they want your boat to be put. It may be on a face dock or T head or it may be in an inside slip.

You need to buy a marine VHF. Buy a portable if you have to but realize that it will have a much shorter range than a 25 watt radio and external antenna.

[Terra Nova]

A handheld vhf is de rigueur in just about every marina and on every cruising dink; if there is a local network of cruisers, they'll be there. And they might know of available, temporary slips and talent.

[cortezsailor]

I operate a transient marina in Canada , as far as I know there are no rules stating you must allow a boat to tie up, we are often full in the boating season and I turn away boats all the time due to it. That being said I would never turn away a boat that needed assistance and I always have a plan if that was to happen 24/7 . I have had folks show up though who for no other reason then they don't like anchoring get quite angry when there is no slip available for them, prior contact through VHF or cell phone is a must.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[Group9]

Just call the dockmaster on the VHF or phone. I know at my marina, it's in our contracts, that they can berth transients in our slips when we are away. I suspect that it is the same in most marinas.