Association Forum - Transient Courtesies

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Transient Courtesies

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
1484 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/15/2008 : 21:24:54

We are planning some coastal cruising trips and are making reservations at marinas along the way. As this is our first real traveling, we have LOTS of questions on customary procedures when entering a marina (domestic) as a transient?
• Do you hail them as you approach and request a slip assignment?
• Simply pull in to the fuel dock and go into the office?
• What about the dock boys, is tipping expected, how much?

P{lease add-on any other insights as you wish!
Many thanks in advance for all the sage advise about to pour in

Jerry

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 00:13:57

In our cruising we did not have reservations but when we approached a marina we wanted to stay in we hailed them on the VHF. We had a book that listed the VHF channels that the marinas monitored - as I recall it was 68 for most of them. We would make contact and then ask if they had a slip for a 25' sailboat. If yes, then we would specify "bow in and starboard ties." They would then tell us the slip assignment. Our book had diagrams of all the marinas.

Never tipped and never had dock boys. Wouldn't want them.

Go to your slip, tie up, and then go to the office to pay.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 06/16/2008 00:15:05

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 07:47:22

Last time I was out I did not radio first and ended up on a dock under construction

where an employee asked, "why didn't you radio first?" ......... oops

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 07:57:23

Jerry,

Hail the marina on one six and they will ask you to switch to a working channel. If you know their working channel, that's cool. I've heard marina's requesting to switch and answer on 9, 10, 14,68,69,71, etc - those cruising guides have their working frequencies posted.

They will give you your slip assignment then and will send someone down to help with your lines. Take all of the help you can get. Often a new to you marina will be confusing, so they may be waving you in or talking you in on the radio. They will also tell you if it's a port or starboard tie so you can get your bumpers and lines ready. Other useful info includes whether its a fixed or floating dock, depth, current, tides, etc. In Cape May we saw a mega yacht hit a sport fisher becasue of the 4 knot current running under the dock. Let them help, that is their job and you will be less stressed and safer.

I think it is customary to tip a couple of bucks, although we rarely have as the dock hands are older and not trying to pay their way thru college. Usually you should tip them if they dispose of your garbage, assist with fueling and filling water tanks. 5 bucks is plenty in that case... But with dock space running 2-5 bucks a foot a night, I am inclined to consider their assistance part of the fees.

When you leave, you can also request their assistance. This is helpful if you need to make a tight turn, or if it is windy and you don't wanna scratch up a bunch of shiny boats.

Sten

DPO C25 #3220 "Zephyr", SR, FK
SV Lysistrata - C&C 39 - Newport RI

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 09:26:09

In the Pacific North West, many sailors use Charlie's Charts or similar locally produced cruising books that have lots of local knowledge especially about marinas and local sailing features - but also as importantly, where to buy gas groceries pump outs, liqour stores good restaurants etc.
You might want to ask around your marina for what others are using -who knows, someone may lend you theirs.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 12:18:03

Jerry--do you have an Embassy Cruising Guide for the area? I have one for LIS--very helpful. I was just over at Sag Harbor Fri-Sat, and did a quick trip around Shelter Island on my way home Saturday--some great sailing waters over there!

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 17:54:52

I dont think there is anyone you have to tip in boating! Thank god.
Steve A

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 19:19:52

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 I dont think there is anyone you have to tip in boating!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Anyone who pumps out my holding tank gets one.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 20:20:27

Dave - I don't but will look into it...Shelter Island is really beautiful...while going around this weekend, did you see the large three masted ship? I saw it from Greenport, but had a stern view, and couldn't tell if it was the Eagle. Did you see it?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 21:48:14

Yup--several miles E of us on Gardiners Bay--I couldn't identify it from there. My guess was the new [url="http://www.voyagermystic.com/tsm_gallery.htm"]Mystic[/url]--namesake of her hailport.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/16/2008 21:58:09

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2008 : 23:51:22

Tried to tip the pumpout guy at Friday Harbor. He refused - said he was doing his job.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 00:35:12

Always have a cell phone and be ready to call them as well. I found on my trip down the ICW few marinas answered on VHF but all answered the phone.

Rarely tipped fuel dock or pumpout. When you got fuel and a free pumpout and they washed the tank out and cleaned off the deck, then, yes, that was worth $5 to the guy. Or any special service.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 07:32:14

(In the voice of Homer Simpson) MMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, Friday Harbor ........ (dreamdream)

Edited by - DaveR on 06/17/2008 07:32:53

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

1520 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 12:01:12

You might want to call now to plan for the busy summer traffic at some marinas. Some take reservations that can be cancelled without penalty a certain time before arrival, when your preliminary plans change.

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

Members Avatar

USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2008 : 13:55:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 I dont think there is anyone you have to tip in boating!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Anyone who pumps out my holding tank gets one.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Guess I am saving by having a porta-potty.

Steve A

Edited by - piseas on 06/17/2008 13:55:37

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.