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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Depending on their location and access, these areas are often ripe for either in-water or on-racks on the dock rental for personal watercraft such as jet skis, kayaks, canoes and the hottest trend at the moment – stand-up paddle boards. Thoughtful approaches for these uses has become a line item in a great number of marinas throughout the world. In addition to facility space for customer owned personal watercraft, many facilities are either renting out or allowing others for a fee to rent out these personal use nontraditional “boats.” In many cases it is acting as a magnate to draw people into the marina, including especially the younger generations. Once frowned upon by many, there seems to be a large trend to peaceful coexistence if properly managed. More importantly, these uses are a stepping stone for many to become more traditional boat owners. Many boat owners’ children, particularly teenagers and college students, love to hang with friends on these boats … especially when the parents are around. Some facilities, particularly for
transient and point of destination facilities, are providing freshly baked muffins, orange juice, fresh coffees and teas, and the morning newspaper delivered to the cabin at customer preselected or facility designated times. Some facilities are charging for this service. Others are including it in their transient slip charge, but it allows a higher charge than neighboring facilities. We know of one facility that made a deal with Starbucks and the facility provides fresh Starbucks coffee. They do not charge but do have a hefty fee for their base overnight
stay, and that coffee seems to have attracted many a transient, with lots of boat owners advertising the “perk” over the airwaves. Others have taken the concierge service to heart and provide such amenities as provisioning, laundry and dry cleaning – again for a fee. For such approaches many facilities are working in concert with local establishments. Bike availability for rent or
free, depending upon the packaging, is a big hit, especially for point of destination facilities. In some cases it may also
make sense to provide access to these services to people who have nothing to do with the marina. Expand that bike rental to an operation renting to the general public. Many facilities have
underutilized space within the building or within the yard that can be rented out or used for auxiliary services, such as upholstery work. However, many times there is insufficient work within the facility to justify the specialty operation. But if, for example, that upholstery work was also available toresidential/ commercial clients beyond the marina, it may well prove a perfect opportunity. Looking for these types of symbiotic relationships can be key, and they do tend to be very site specific. Getting them set up will often take more effort than a simple “For Rent” sign, but the rewards can be meaningful. In urban areas boat club
rentals that have had an on and off again spotty acceptance are becoming more popular for certain markets. This can provide additional slip rentals and use of the ships store and other pay as
you go amenities, but it also provides traffic of other potential customers into one’s facility. More and more facilities are
training their dockhands and fuel service providers with the ability and sometimes with a monetary incentive to ask if they need any sunblock, ice, soda, water, etc. This needs to be done with tact as opposed to overselling and being pushy. The results have been significant, particularly when many of these items can now be found at the fuel dock as opposed to having to walk all the way to the ships store. More and more boat owners
like having dinner on their boat, whether or not they have been out. Many love to grill but do not have grills on board or are not allowed to use their grills while at the dock. Many facilities are now providing on shore grills for free and charging for the charcoal and lighter fluid. Many are also providing lockers with steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs for sale, and some facilities even make arrangements with fish markets for the “catch of the day” or the “one that got away.” Many facilities have a great
waterfront location, but they are not capitalizing on the location for various functions such as weddings and other special events. One location has become so popular that they now have a temporary large function tent on their lawn area and another on their parking lot. Not only do they derive income but they again are bringing in non customers to their facility. On a smaller scale, and well
shy of setting up your own restaurant, perhaps there is a way for your facility to capitalize on the current food truck craze, whether by allowing a truck or
SEPTEMBER 2016 FORE & AFT 51
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