Be A Good Neighbour

By Dusty Miller - October 2003

A couple of years ago, I went to visit a friend of mine who moored his vessel at a large marina. Down the middle of the 32-inch wide dock was a long strip of masking tape with "my side" written on one side and a nasty name depicting his neighbour on the other. I have no idea what the feud was about, but it reminded me that as friendly and generous as most boaters may be, animosity at the marina can develop for many reasons. That's why it's so important to take time and do some research before deciding to moor your boat at a particular facility.

A marina is like a neighbourhood. It's always wise to take a critical look around (just as you would when buying a house) before you park your boat for any length of time.

One of the first and most important considerations is proximity. Unless there are overriding reasons to the contrary, the marina that is closest to home is usually the best. It's so nice to go for a cruise at a moment's notice without having to make a cross-country trek. On the other hand, if your schedule allows you to spend long periods of time aboard your boat, it might be worthwhile going the extra distance to find another facility with features you prefer.

Another important consideration is whether the marina is sail-oriented or predominantly powerboats. One of the two feuding boats I mentioned earlier was a 40-foot sailboat and a 30-foot sport express. The long-standing animosity between "rag baggers" and "stink potters" is usually friendly - but the two groups do look out different portholes, so to speak. I wouldn't want to be the only powerboat in a marina full of sailboats, or vice versa.

Setting is also important. A marina close to a downtown core offers a choice of restaurants, cinemas, theatres and other entertainment, perhaps within walking distance. Unfortunately, that convenience is often combined with the noise of traffic, sirens and pedestrians. On the other hand, a marina outside a city or town has crickets to keep you from sleeping not to mention geese and ducks to prevent you from walking barefoot.

Once you have decided on the marina you like and moved your boat in the slip, you're ready to make a first impression. But as the saying goes, you only get one chance to do it. If you arrive pushing the lake in front of you, disregarding the "no wake" zones, you've already started off on the wrong foot.

When you tie up and immediately leave your power cable and hose in a tangled heap like a plate of spaghetti or your deck brush and water toys are strewn everywhere, your neighbours might not see the fact that you're a warm and friendly person. It only takes a few minutes to get gear organized, and it will be appreciated.

The more you respect other boater's space, the better you will get along. Let's face it, in a marina you live closer to your neighbours than you do at home, so you have to be extra careful. Take housecleaning for example. You may just be hosing down your boat to get rid of the shad flies that gathered overnight, but if a gusty wind is carrying the spray onto your neighbour's sun pad or in an open window, they might not take too kindly to your cleanliness.

Now we come to entertainment. This is where I think the majority of marina feuds begin. I know you can't always exert as much control as you like over people who visit your boat, but your marina neighbours will hold you responsible for any transgressions they make. So, if your brother-in-law tends to get insulting when he overindulges, make plans to keep his consumption in check or get him off the deck before he says something foolish or obnoxious.

The guidelines are obvious - keep your noise down, especially when it's getting late. Also make sure your guests keep their clothes on - I don't know what gets into some people when they get on a boat. If you're firing up the barbecue, check which way the wind is going. You may enjoy the aroma of pork chops and shrimp on the fire, but you've got to keep the smoke from going across your neighbour's deck.

And finally - your on-board spotlight. When some boaters discover the spotlight on their boat, they think it's amusing to shine it on other boats. It isn't. Actually, it's a sure way to get another black mark on your ledger. Make sure your guests understand that you are the captain and what you say goes. Most people are fine with this. Unfortunately the ones who object are often the ones who will get you in trouble.

The other aspect of entertaining is when you have been invited onto another boat. It's always best to stay inside the behaviour of your hosts. Drink less than they do. Eat less. Talk more quietly. Tell jokes or stories that are a little less risque and leave before they start looking at their watches and yawning.

Finally, if you do find yourself caught up in a disagreement, solve it quickly. Time doesn't heal these wounds, they just fester and spread. Check your pride below and get up on the dock and talk about the situation. The sooner you can get past the anger and insult, the less likely you'll be to buy some masking tape for the dock.

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The above article was originally published in Power Boating Canada Magazine.