October 30, 2001

Big Boats Having Big Effect on Marinas

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina - Mega yachts are becoming mega popular, and they're having a big impact on marinas. Nearly 500 mega yachts (pleasure vessels 80 feet and longer in length) were under construction worldwide as of January 2001 - a 30% increase since January 2000. And as boat owners gravitate towards larger vessels, marinas are trying to keep up by providing adequate dockage and provisions. "With larger boats come more needs," says Nancy Schilling, senior associate with Applied Technology & Management, Inc. (ATM). "Marinas have to be able to accommodate larger boats. Not only do marina owners need to reassess the size of their slips, they need to rethink their overall strategies."

There seems to be no end in sight to the demand for larger boats. According to Thomas Murray, marine business & coastal development specialist at The College of William and Mary and president of Thomas J. Murray & Associates, Inc., an economic consulting firm, the US nearly doubled annual construction of new mega yachts between 1993 and 2001. "The forecast for the luxury yacht industry is quite positive," Murray says.

Here's how marina owners are adjusting:

Larger slips. Forty-foot slips are no longer the norm at marinas along the East Coast - marina owners are integrating 50- to 80-foot slips, as well as 150+ ft berths, to accommodate mega yachts. Most dock systems are designed for smaller boats, and they can be stressed when larger vessels increase loads. Marina owners must consider loads when they're reconfigured berths for larger boats. "Dock design is constantly improving," says Schilling. "Because boats are bigger, they're farther off the water, and docks need to be sized differently with higher freeboards. Considering the possibility of harsh weather, a higher profile dock can keep a luxury boat more secure."

Increased fuel capacities. As smaller gas-powered boats give way to larger, diesel-fueled yachts, marina owners and operators are adjusting to the increased fuel demands. To meet boat owners' changing needs, marinas are updating their facilities, as well as providing different types of gasoline and diesel. High-speed pumps help increase fueling capacity, and enhanced fuel docks can simultaneously cater to multiple boats.

Upscale amenities. While fresh water and moderate electrical supply, fire-fighting equipment, and life saving equipment come standard at many marina, some are offering key dockside amenities such as high capacity electrical connections, wireless phone/fax/Internet, dedicated wastewater connections, and cable/satellite TV connections. The dock-master's office is no longer the center stage as more marinas are providing concierge services, lodging facilities, restaurants, spas, shops, laundry and shower facilities, swimming pools, and access to car rental agencies.