Pier People

Living in a marina is an interesting experience to say the least. I’m not sure I can even come up with a good analogy becasue it is so different. My first though was trailer park, but while some of the odd stereotypes are true, its just not right. Maybe suburbs, but that’s not good either. Apartment complex? No, it way to diverse a population here. Maybe I’ll have a good one by the end of this post.

To start, Pier people are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. Nearly everyone says hi as you walk past. If you’re out on your boat most people will not only say hi but will want to chat about your boat, or their boat, or your stories, or theirs. We all have a built in conversation starter. Almost all of them have some unique skill that they are more than willing to trade for conversation, or a drink, or whatever your unique skill is. The number of networks I’ve helped setup or tech advice I’ve given is directly proportionality to the engine, electrical, fiberglass, sail, rigging, drinking advice we’ve received.

There are several categories of pier people. Liveaboards, Weekenders, Retirees, Racers, No-shows, Cruisers, and Partiers. The categories are not mutually exclusive, everyone can be some mix of all of them. But they all have their unique qualities.

By far the most common group is the Weekender. They are pretty easy to spot. They show up Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. They always have a dock cart full of bed linens and pillows, one or two grocery bags, and plenty of alcohol. Then sometime at the end of the weekend they just disappear. I don’t feel like I see them leave anywhere near as often as I see them arrive. Its a crap shoot weather or not they take their boat out of the slip, or just use it as a weekend cabin. Their boats are usually identifiable by their clean-ish hull, there is usually a mug or wine glass in the cockpit, but their rigging and lines may not have been touched in months or years.

Retirees are similar to Weekenders, but they come whenever. Usually in the middle of the week while it’s quiet at the marina. Instead of arriving with supplies for the weekend, they usually are fully prepared for life on the boat, so they just come with whatever tools and parts they need for their current boat project. They will often take their boat out and spend the day or even a night out at anchor as often as their boat works, and as with all boats, that isn’t as often as we would like. Generally their boats are very well maintained and looking great. Retirees are also a big portion of the Liveaboard group as well.

Liveaboards are an interesting breed. We come in many subgroups, almost all identifiable by their boat. The permanently at the pier, this is just a cheap minimal lifestyle group. You can usually tell them due to the dirty hull, plant(s) on the deck, random pieces of tarp setup on the rigging to block the sun, and often a jury-rigged air conditioner stuffed into a hatch. The Chosen lifestyle subgroup is a fun group, they are usually the first out at the pier parties, they always have a spare drink available for anyone that comes by and just wants to chat. Their boats are well maintained and clean, but may have many more long term setups like custom made sun tarps and dock steps. The boat is likely in sail ready condition, but it’s not often that it moves. Then there are the Cruisers in prep. They are very similar to the Chosen lifestyle group as they are ready to join the party and well stocked on board, but their boat is clearly ready to sail, or in some state of mess for major work getting it ready to sail. They are away from the pier as often as they can between upgrades and repairs. Unfortunately for them, their cruising life always seems to be “next season” due to this or that.

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That brings us to the smaller categories. Cruisers, are only here from time to time, as they are mostly out cruising, but they return every once and awhile to tell stories and restock/repair. The Racer is always here, but does not liveaboard. There is always work to do on the boat to prep for the next race, there is always crew to be recruited, and there is always a drink to be had while we tell stories of the last race. No-shows are fairly self explanatory, there are many boats that have not seen a human hand in some time. It’s sad to see really. Finally, the partiers. They show up from time to time, usually with a large group. Start to party the moment they arrive, and continue until they leave. Their boats are usually much larger and nicer than needed. We see the cleaning crew and mechanics on board far more often than we see the owners, but you can always tell when they are here.

After all that I don’t think I came up with a good analogy. I think I just have to stick to #MarinaLife. So far I love it. While, unfortunately Shannon and I sit solidly in the Cruisers in prep subgroup, and its true our cruising season is still “Next season”, It is getting closer. Nymeria is ready, now its just time to get us ready.