There are marinas around the country that you have to access via a loch or under a bridge. Often this will create height problems for boats with masts.
Some vessels may only have a draft of 0.5m whereas yachts could be up to 2.5m. Most marinas are located in water that rises & falls according to the tides. You must check the LOW tide height for the marina to be sure you are not going to run aground.
It is important to know you can park particularly in the busy season. Don’t get caught having to park at a 2 hour meter!
It is good to know what you will get for your money. Check the marina website to see the range of facilities available that can include, slipping, launching, hardstand, security, patrols, WI FI, sale of ice, dining, sail training programs etc.
It would be extremely rare for a marina to not have electricity, always check.
It would be extremely rare for a marina to not have electricity, always check.
It would be extremely rare for a marina to not have water, always check.
In most cases this cost is included in your annual outgoings charge. In some of the newer marinas around the country individual metering is starting to be more common.
There are numerous levels of security available that can range from fob key access to gates, CCTV cameras, security patrols 24/7 or a combination of all of these. Check with the marina office or Club re level provided.
This is particularly important for people owning boats without an on-board bathroom or where there are no pump out facilities.
This is particularly important for people owning boats without on-board laundry facilities.
Boat fires can be ferocious and spread very quickly to neighbouring vessels, causing horrific damage. Marinas without a fuel dock either within the marina, or close by, that mean boat owners transport portable containers of fuel to their boats are most at risk because of potential spillage resulting in fire. Make sure you know the level of protection in a marina.
Many people assume a marina has fuel but this is not the case…investigate your options.
This varies from marina to marina. Many marinas are associated with Yacht Clubs and insist that they manage the rental of your berth for you, and they charge a fee, often around 10%.
Generally, all marinas permit you to sublease your berth but will require you to gain pre approval from them. Leasing rates vary depending on location, supply and demand and time of the year. Rents will normally include outgoings.
Where the berth is freehold title stamp duty will be applicable at the same rate as charged on the transfer of a house or land.
Ownership of berths is most commonly leasehold (sometimes referred to as licences) because the seabed/riverbed is always Crown Land and therefore impossible to have freehold. Marinas built on private land can be, and often are, freehold. There are some variations to leasehold…for example, the marina holds the head lease from the Government or Government authority and you can then own a Unit entitlement in the strata scheme that entitles you to occupancy of the berth. At the end of the head lease (say, 20 or 25 years), the lease is rolled over and you get another period without having to buy it.
This can vary from being a Yacht or boat Club, Owner of the marina etc. Important to understand who, and if, they do a good job and what their charges are.
Every marina requires every boat that resides there whether overnight, weekly, monthly or permanently, to be fully insured including Public Liability no matter how long you stay, and you will have to produce evidence of this prior to occupying and evidence of annual renewal.
Permanent living aboard a vessel in a marina is permitted in some marinas, subject to quotas and certain restrictions. Casual days, 2 -3 nights, are generally permitted in all marinas. If you plan to live aboard permanently, make sure you check that you can.
In most cases…yes. But don’t be surprised if the marina still wants to charge you a commission.
When it is freehold ownership – yes. When it is leasehold there will be annual outgoings applicable.
Marinas will normally allow commercial vessels to reside in the marina…fishing charter, yacht charter, dive boats etc. However, rarely do marinas permit the operators of these vessels to have their clients board/disembark within the marina. That must be done elsewhere.
Being able to wash down your boat and get rid of the salt is an important part of your maintenance program so it is important to have fresh water at your berth and the right to wash down your boat.
This varies by marina so always check to see if your pet is welcome – especially if you plan to have it on-board overnight.
These are annual outgoings applicable to the marina shared amongst all owners to cover such things as maintenance, security, insurance, sinking fund etc. and will apply regardless of whether ownership is freehold, leasehold or licence – much the same as owning an apartment.
Council rates for individual berths will only apply where ownership is freehold – not leasehold or licence.
Often the answer is YES – especially where ownership is freehold title. In Queensland even the transfer of a leasehold berth involves the Titles Office and can be very complicated, therefore it is advisable to use a solicitor or conveyancer.