Marina Dock Age, March 2003

Marina Facilities Cash in on Transient Dockage
by Ron Stone

In recent years, the marina industry has paid increasing attention to the benefits of catering to transient boaters. This may run counter to conventional thinking that the real money is in long-term or seasonal slip rentals. However, it has become clear that the most profitable marinas are the ones with a healthy mix of long-term tenants and transient guests.

In the past, many owners and managers took the view that transient dockage was simply more trouble than it was worth. But industry trends have shown that transient boaters may be a valuable source of revenue in their own way. The impulse for marinas to seek alternate revenue sources—with such diverse ventures as boat sales, marine stores, restaurants, gift shops, and service centers—is one that is well served by transient boaters. Transient guests tend to stay on their boats overnight and will patronize facilities that are convenient-and nothing is more convenient than running to the store or boatyard right at the end of the dock.

When you take into account the growing popularity of cruising vacations and the increasing size of cruising yachts, it becomes clear that transient dockage can be a serious profit center.

A pleasant surprise for marinas is that they will often have the support of their communities when they attempt to expand transient dock capacity. Waterfront communities seeking to increase tourism have awakened to the powerful potential for guest docks to attract visitors who like to travel by boat. These tourists, and the dollars they spend, are good for the whole community, not just the marinas they choose to berth in.

Government money for marina development

Currently, one of the greatest driving forces for building, renovating and maintaining transient dock facilities is the Federal Boating Infrastructure Grant program (BIG). Adopted by Congress in 1998, this program has funneled $32 million to states to provide facilities for transient, non-trailerable boats 26 feet or more in length. The program emphasizes projects that facilitate boater access to sites of cultural interest. Continue »