When you’re out on the water, you have to remember that you and your friends or family aren’t the only people there. On a very busy, warm day, there could be dozens of boaters crowding your local marina. Inevitably, some people will start to experience anger, frustration, and impatience, but it won’t be simply because of the crowds. No, the true problem is bad marina etiquette. Committed by both boat operators and their passengers, bad marina etiquette could mean cutting someone off by zooming in front of them without warning, playing music loudly and shouting, leaving a mess at the dock, or being generally rude to other boaters, swimmers, and water users.
Fortunately, the solution to this problem is fairly simple: learn what constitutes good etiquette at the marina, then practice those skills at your next boat outing. To help you out with this, RVs and Boats For Less in Chubbuck, Idaho has prepared this guide to good marina etiquette to ensure that you and your passengers can demonstrate respect and patience for others when you’re at the marina.
Slow Down
You’d never careen into a parking lot at 50 mph with your car, so logic dictates that you wouldn’t want to do this with your boat. As you approach the dock, whether you’re towing out your boat or heading for a slip, slow down well in advance of reaching shallow waters. You want to be cautious as you approach the marina and be on the lookout for smaller boats, swimmers in the water, watercraft users, and obstacles that you should avoid. Slowing down also means you won’t knock anyone overboard or splash them with the waves emanating from your stern.
Don’t Linger
Keeping your car parked in front of a gas pump well after your tank has been filled would be extremely rude, since you’d hold up other customers. By the same turn, it makes no sense for a boat operator to linger at the fuel station or marina when they’re blocking someone else’s path. Set sail as quickly as you can, dock your boat expediently, and leave the fueling station as soon as you’re done.
Keep The Docks Clear
If you dock your boat carelessly, you may end up with the bow taking up valuable walking space on the pier. To avoid doing this, use spring lines to control how your boat moves as you’re pivoting around the dock. Otherwise, try docking your boat stern-to-dock to keep your bow from overhanging.
Once you’ve docked, don’t leave a mess next to your boat! Coil up all ropes neatly, pack up and carry away trash and food so your boat doesn’t smell, put away watersports or fishing equipment, and properly store your life jackets. A tidy boat area can help reduce the risk of theft, too!
Show Respect
Finally, if you want others to treat you well, treat them well in return. Be patient, courteous, and polite to other marina users. Don’t blast music or party late into the night on your boat, and keep everything tidy. It’s easy to enjoy time at the marina quietly without disturbing others.
We hope our list of etiquette tips helps to make your next marina visit a pleasant one. Come down to our Chubbuck showroom today if you’re in search of a great new or used boat! If your boat needs service or parts, our maintenance department has you covered. Contact us to look up parts or schedule a boat service appointment. RVs and Boats For Less welcomes our customers coming from Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Twin Falls, Idaho. We also proudly serve the cities of Logan and Salt Lake City, Utah.
