Marina Etiquette Basics Every Boater Should Know

Bad marina etiquette can turn a memorable day on the water into an awful experience. To prevent this, follow this guide created by our experts at Hampton Watercraft & Marine. It highlights a few tips to be a great neighbor at the docks. If you need more ideas, visit us at one of our dealerships in Hampton Bays and Eastport, NY. We happily welcome our patrons from Eastern Long Island, so stop in today.

Take It Slow

The first rule to follow when pulling into a marina is to remember to slow down. You might be tired at the end of the day, wanting to rush out of the water before it gets too dark. However, blazing in at high speed would be reckless, and it can create a disturbing wake, causing other boaters to become unsteady. Also, this will make it harder for you to spot an obstacle or make an adjustment in case something pops up in your way. So, to avoid jeopardizing your safety and the safety of others around you, drive slow when you’re in the area around the dock.

Don’t Linger

Next, you’ll want to exit the marina as soon as you have finished filling up your tank or stocking up on supplies. It’s the same experience as refueling your car at a gas station, where you’d want the vehicle in front of you to make way for you as quickly as they are done with the job.

Promptly moving ahead will keep things smooth at the marina, and you’ll come across as a fantastic neighbor who’s considerate of others.

Keep Your Dock Area Clear

More importantly, you’ll want to keep the dock area free of clutter.

Boating requires that you bring a lot of gear on the water, including life jackets for each member of your crew, tow ropes, and various pieces of watersports equipment for your wakeboarders or inner tubes. However, when you dock for a meal, don’t leave your extra equipment lying all over the place. This will not only block everyone else’s walking path, but it can also create a slip hazard for others on the dock.

Remember to coil your dock lines and hoses and pack away your life vests. Also, avoid leaving any trash or food on your boat as it can create unpleasant smells and bother any passersby.

Be Mindful of Noise

Another thing you’ll need to be observant of is the atmosphere at the marina. Do what others around you are doing, or you may end up causing discomfort to them.

When you arrive at the dock, take some time to scan out its ambiance. If people are quietly enjoying their time, you’ll want to keep your noise down, too. However, if you see that many other boaters are playing music and no one seems to be complaining about the noise, you can probably be a bit louder.

We hope these tips help you create memorable experiences at the marina. For more advice or help upgrading your vessel to the latest model, visit Hampton Watercraft & Marine. We’re in Hampton Bays and Eastport, NY, and we proudly serve those from Eastern Long Island.