Traveling Every Port and Marina? Tag & Post Your Way to Identity Theft

How to avoid identify theft risks when boating using public Wi-Fi internet at marinas or making social media status updates

Traveling by boat is a liberating experience, but you have to be vigilant of the same risks that all travelers on land face.

Last year, nearly 12 million Americans fell victim to identity theft. This figure represents a 13 percent increase in identity theft over the past three years, and the U.S. Travel Insurance Association attributes this jump in part to the rise of social media use among travelers.

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Pocket Hose for Boats - Video Demo Review

Boaters demonstrate how to use the Pocket Hose on a boat, showing how it offers quick and easy wash-downs in a lightweight, compact size ideal for transient boaters [VIDEO DEMO]

When we heard our boater friends rave about how much they love their "pocket hose", we knew that it was something worth sharing.

Recently our friends embarked on a two week Intracoastal Waterway Cruise and began talking about how great their new Pocket Hose has been for them on their cruise.

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Marina Evaluation Checklist for Boat Services and Amenities

Here are some essential boat services and dockside amenities to look for when deciding which marina to dock your boat at for the boating season or weekend transient visits

When we first started boating we selected a marina that was relatively safe and cheap to dock our boat for the season. We were new to boating and thought dockside power and a fresh water hook-up was really all we needed from a marina. But as we cruised to other boating destinations for weekend transient visits, we quickly realized that there was a lot more to look for when choosing a home port marina.


Many marinas claim to be “full service marinas” but the definition of that term can certainly vary – or mean different things to different boaters. A full service marina should be more than a basic marina – it should offer all the essential services and amenities a modern boater expects.

A slip rental at a marina for a boating season – or a cruise to a marina for a weekend transient visit – is a big investment in both time and money. Boaters should evaluate everything from dockside services to boat maintenance capabilities or facility amenities when choosing a marina.

Marina Evaluation Checklist for Boaters

Your stay at a marina – whether it is at your home port marina or weekend transient stay – should feel like a true getaway. After all, that’s what boating is all about.

Full service boat marinas accommodate boaters with every modern convenience available while docked at the marina. In addition to basic boat services expected at marinas, boaters are looking for services and amenities comparable to those found in hotels and resorts. With all the money you spend on your boat and docking fees, you want to choose a marina that makes every weekend feel like a mini vacation – whether it is your home port marina for the entire boating season or just a weekend transient stay at another marina.

Use this checklist when evaluating services and amenities at boat marinas to select the best place to dock your boat.

Dockside services:

• Electric and water (with adequate power/amps for your size boat)

• Well-maintained docks

• Numerous and well-positioned cleats

• Cable and internet hook-up

• Free Wi-Fi access

• Mobile pump-out service

• Storage boxes at the slip

• Trash recepticles (emptied daily)

• Dock carts (well maintained, easily accessible and a large quantity available for boaters)


Yard and maintenance services:

• Spring commissioning, dry storage and winterizing

• Haul-out and drop-in services (with capabilities for hauling large boats)

• Reputable well-trained technicians for engine and mechanical repairs

• Pressure washing (available throughout the season)

• Gelcoat or fiberglass repairs

• Painting, varnish or bright work

• Wash, wax and detailing

• Bottom painting

• Yard space for DIY yard service and repair (with access to water and electricity)

Facilities at marina:

• Clean and air conditioned bath houses

• Blocked and cubed ice (with slip delivery a plus)

• Dinghy racks and floating launch areas

• Club house or lounge areas

• On-site laundry

• Pet friendly with dog walking trails

• Ship’s store stocked with essential parts and supplies

• Fuel dock with gasoline, diesel and pump-out (with fuel discounts to slip holders)

Marina location:

• Convenient distance or accessible via drive from home

• Situated near coves or anchorages for afternoon cruises

• Access to waterways or inlets for longer cruises

• Adequate water depth at dock and approaching marina

Convenient Dining:

• Restaurant and bar (with entertainment)

• Outside dining with views

• BBQ grills and picnic tables

• Other restaurants nearby

Variety of recreational options:

• Large size swimming pool and lounge area (with baby pool)

• Access to free or rental bicycles

• Outdoor recreation (tennis, playground, basketball, volleyball, horse shoes and more)

• Shuttle Service to explore town activities (shopping, dining, attractions)

• Marina events and activities (like slipholder appreciation or family fun days)

Sufficient marina staff:

• Security

• Dock hands

• Technicians

• Cleaning crews

When evaluating your next home port marina it’s also a good idea to get recommendations from other boaters if you can. Even better, visit the marina as a transient boater and evaluate the marina’s facilities and services first hand. Of course there are some things you can’t fully evaluate until you spend an entire season at a marina, but a weekend stay will give you a good idea of their facilities, amenities and services and how other boaters feel about the marina.

Finally, check out marina websites, online reviews and social media pages (like Facebook, Twitter or Google+) are also good sources to get more feedback from other boaters. How the marina communicates with boaters through their website, newsletters and social media networks is a good indication of their level of customer service and dedication to making their marina an enjoyable spot for boaters.

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Improving WiFi and Internet Access Options on Boats at Marinas

Boaters can improve their Internet access while docked at marinas using wireless antennas, wireless hotspots or mobile 3G/4G Internet options that boost WiFi signals on boats

These days many full service marinas are now offering free WiFi access to slip holders and transient boaters. Internet access has become a welcomed amenity for boaters that need to occasionally work remotely (at their “office” on the water) or simply want the ability to get online while on their boat.

But the signal strength with WiFi access at marinas can vary depending on where your boat is situated at a dock – especially at larger marinas. Luckily there are several options for improving WiFi and Internet access points at marinas that can boost low signal strength at on your boat or give you better mobile Internet access.

Boosting WiFi Network and Wireless Signals to Boat Docks at Marinas

The WiFi signal at our marina always seems to be low – with one or 2 bars at best. This was mainly due to the fact that our boat dock is located pretty far from the WiFi access point at the marina office. It simply couldn’t deliver a strong WiFi signal to our boat so we could have basic Internet access that was reliable or fast.

The Alfa Wireless Network Adapter
with a high-gain antenna boosts
Wi-Fi signals on boats at marinas.

So after trying a few different options, we found that we got the best result so far using a USB WiFi Wireless Adapter with a high-gain antenna for our computer. It boosts the signal from our marina office so we can actually get online with our marina’s WiFi.

With the Alfa Wireless Network Adapter we simply plug it into our laptop and extend the antenna to capture the low wireless signal from our marina WiFi. It boosts the signal from one or two bars to five bars so we get full WiFi signal strength at our boat. It also comes with a suction cup mount that we place on our radar arch to position the adapter toward our marina office (where the WiFi signal originates).

WiFi Mobile Hotspot and 3G Internet Device Options for Boats at Marinas

Another problem with WiFi access at marinas is the availability of open IP addresses. Even if the wireless signal strength is good, your marina may have a limited number of IP addresses available. In other words, you’ll see the WiFi signal but won’t be able to connect your smartphone or laptop. This is particularly a problem in busy marinas with a large number of people using smartphones and laptops to access the Internet on their boat.

So to solve the problem of Internet availability on your boat at your marina, you may have to invest in a WiFi hotspot or other 3G/4G Internet device.

Here are some more options for improving Internet access while on a boat docked at a marina:

Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 3G Mobile WiFi Hotspot Modem (Verizon Wireless)
If you have good Verizon Wireless coverage at your marina, you can use this device to create a mobile WiFi Hotspot and allow several WiFi enabled devices on your boat – smartphone, laptop, iPad, iPhone, etc. - to use the same data plan.

Novatel MiFi 2372 ATandT Mobile Hotspot 3G WiFi HSPA
Similar to the Novatel MiFi for Verizon, this one works with ATandT Wireless plans and lets you create a mobile hotspot for multiple Wi-Fi devices on your boat.

Sprint Sierra Wireless Overdrive 3G 4G Mobile Hotspot
The Sprint Wireless Overdrive creates a 3G or 4G mobile hotspot – or a 4G mobile hotspot if 4G is available at your marina.



CradlePoint PHS300 Personal Hotspot - Wireless access point - 802.11b/g (Version 2.0/2.5.3)
The CradlePoint is unique because it creates a mobile hotspot for multiple Wi-Fi enabled devices, can provide 3G or 4G coverage and can be used with any mobile service provider that you may currently have for your Internet data plan (Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Sprint, ATandT, etc.)

Kindle DX with Free 3G Internet Access
The Kindle by Amazon is a great ebook reader for boaters because of its anti-glare screen that makes reading easy in even the brightest sunlight. But with the Kindle 3G boaters can also have access to the Internet for basic website surfing... like updating your Facebook status or looking up boating supplies.

The Internet browsing experience on a Kindle is much different than a laptop computer or even a smartphone. Internet usability of the Kindle 3G may seem somewhat limited because of the size of the screen and everything being in black and white... but it can be a good way to access basic sites on a boat.

The biggest advantage of using a Kindle DX 3G on a boat is that it comes with FREE 3G Internet access (no extra data plan required) and built-in WiFi too. The fact that it is a mobile Internet device that can double as an e-reader makes it a good inexpensive option for boaters that need Internet access while at a marina or out on the hook.

Special thanks to our resident technology expert/boat captain (author of ITAdminTools.com) for input on this article!

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Marine Fuel Prices Real Time with Marina Info

Boaters have access to real time marine fuel prices for diesel and gas, marina directory info and more with boating resource powerhouse MarineFuel.com

In the age of technology and information, boaters are able to reap the benefits by saving time and money with sites like MarineFuel.com.

Imagine the savings if you could compare fuel prices at marinas and save as much as $1/gallon on fuel? It could mean hundreds of dollars in savings for one fuel-up... or thousands of dollars of savings in a boating season. I know with our 300 gallon tank, its a pretty big hit when we fill up on marine diesel fuel multiple times a boating season.

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Renting a Boat Slip at a Good Marina

Is finding a boat slip to rent at a marina that is family-friendly, has good service and offers resort-style amenities too much to ask?

Choose a boat slip at a marina that has it all.
Pictured: Hillside view at Skipjack Cove Marina
in Georgetown, MD

People spend a lot of money on their boats and deserve a good place to dock it for the season. But it's more than just the boat slip. A marina should be like a getaway or vacation every time you go to your boat.

I think a lot of marinas need to step it up. Far too many marinas seem to think they can get away with the bare minimum for their boat slip rentals. Bathrooms are not kept clean. Ship stores are hardly stocked. Dock hands are no where to be found. And you certainly can't trust your most valuable possession to the maintenance department that has a bad reputation.

When we first started boating, a boat slip rental at a marina was simply a place to dock our boat. Almost every weekend we would take our boat out on trips. The cruise was always nice and the destination was always fun, but we realized that every weekend we were trying to get away from our home marina so we could go to a nicer marina. On top of our boat slip rental, we were paying for transient fees at other marinas...

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