3. Layout Criteria for Marinas. 



a. Layout Planning. The proper siting of the various components of a small-craft harbor 

 is a prerequisite for the functional soundness of the overall plan. The following general 

 principles will provide guidance in determining the best allocation of land area within the 

 confines of the harbor boundary (Fig. 41). 



For several reasons the larger craft should generally be berthed near the entrance. They 

 are less influenced by residual wave action entering the harbor where action is greater near 

 the entrance. Larger craft require greater maneuver space, which is usually provided in the 

 harbor area near the entrance for the larger volume of traffic. More physical space is needed 

 than for the smaller boats, and if the larger craft are berthed so they need not traverse the 

 inner fairways of the harbor, those fairways may be proportionately narrower. The deeper 

 drafts of the larger craft require a deeper channel and basin; hence, the inner parts of the 

 harbor can be shallower if they are not used by the larger craft. This allowance for a 

 shallower inner harbor is also a factor in initial channel and berthing area excavation. 



Commercial craft usually fall in the same category as large private recreational craft with 

 regard to tlieir water area requirements. The bertliing areas of commercial and recreational 

 craft should generally be separated because of different adjacent land use requirements. If 

 possible, commercial boats should be located near the entrance in a separate basin or across 

 a fairway from the recreation craft. A commercial fishing fleet will require special hoists and 

 other equipment for moving the fish out of the holds onto perimeter docks and for sorting 

 and preparing the catch for market. In some instances, canneries or freezing plants are 

 located adjacent to the fleet berthing areas (Fig. 42). The general public should be excluded 

 from these working areas for obvious reasons. 



Charter boats for sport fishing must have adjacent facilities for selling their services, for 

 controlling the boarding and debarking of clients, and for parking cars. Fish-cleaning 

 stations are often provided for clients to have their catch cleaned by professionals. A 

 viewing area for prospective clients to watch the cleaning operations will help to advertise 

 the charter boat service. 



Rental boats should be berthed in the same area and not mixed with private recreational 

 craft. This berthing area should be close to the office where the rentals are handled, with 

 easy access to the harbor entrance. The car parking area for rental boat clients should be 

 separate from the slip rental parking area, but it may be shared with visitors to other 

 faciUties in the harbor complex. 



Sailboats without auxihary power should be berthed in slips that open to leeward of the 

 prevailing winds and that can be reached via wide fairways and channels or routes that allow 

 for sailboat tacking with least interference to the powered craft. 



Ramps or hoists for launching trailered craft should be separated from the berthing areas 

 as far as possible. The boating habits of the owners of these craft are usually different from 

 those of the berthed craft; conflicts may result if the same fairways are used. If possible, the 



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