Marina Etiquette Tips for Boat Owners

Being a responsible boater involves more than maintaining your boat and avoiding accidents. You also need to be considerate of other people when you’re using your boat, particularly at your local marina. Having respect for your fellow boaters will, in turn, encourage them to be respectful, and everyone will have a much better boating experience. Here are our tips on how to practice good marina etiquette.

Take Things Slow

Speeding around the marina and splashing up water is not the way to go! Just as you would never enter a parking lot at 60 miles per hour, you shouldn’t race to the dock. Slow your boat down to a reasonable, even speed well before you reach the marina, and when you’re leaving the dock, go slowly and only increase your speed as you reach open water.

Get Moving

Whenever you’re launching your boat or fueling it up, you don’t want to remain at the launch or fuel station any longer than necessary. Take care of your various tasks, like putting on life jackets or organizing your equipment, before you enter the line to launch or fuel up. Everyone is eager to get on the water, so don’t be the slow-poke holding them up!

Don’t Be Disruptive

You should never leave a mess or make a lot of noise at the marina. Always pick up your dock lines and other equipment and store these items in your boat or take them with you. Don’t leave litter or food waste in or around your boat as this can lure in pests and smell bad. If you’re spending time at the marina after dark, be mindful that some people may be sleeping on their boats and be quiet.

We hope that these marina etiquette tips have been helpful. If you’re planning to buy a boat, visit Gordy's Marine at one of our locations in Illinois and Wisconsin. We proudly serve all those in Madison and Janesville, WI, as well as Waukegan, IL.