Following decades of planning two spectacular waterfront communities 1,000 km apart recently opened in Australia. Wyndham Harbour and Trinity Point are bold in scope and vision. Creating “something out of nothing” marina developments requires persistence, talent, and patient investors. Each is an example of how to build stunning new marina-based living communities on raw land and unimproved coastline.
Wyndham Harbour, 39 km (driving) southwest of Melbourne, Australia
Wyndham Harbour is located near the town of Werribee between Geelong and Melbourne. To understand the logic behind Wyndham Harbour one must take into account the phenomenal growth, cultural diversity and economic vibrancy of Melbourne.
Located 39 km from Melbourne, Wyndham Harbour has taken advantage of the economic vibrancy of the city.
According to Australia’s largest newspaper, the Herald Sun, Melbourne (population 4 million) is the fastest growing city in Australia and has been voted the world’s Most Livable City for five years running. Built on the Yarra River at the northernmost reach of Port Phillip Bay, the city spread southeastward for a century and a half. West of the city, however, is lightly populated. There is some industry near the city and farming as one travels farther west.
The developers recognized that Melbourne was bursting at the seams, bogged in heavy traffic and constrained by a shortage of affordable housing. They saw an opportunity for both a new living community and a new marina. The new marina would enhance the boating experience for all of Port Phillip Bay. Continue Reading…
Bellingham Marine is sponsoring its 10th annual international marina photo contest. The contest celebrates marinas and boating facilities around the world.
Bellingham, Washington, USA – June 27, 2016 – Bellingham Marine invites boaties and budding photographers from around the world to enter the 2016 International Marina Photo Contest. Don’t miss this opportunity to have your marina or photo featured in Bellingham Marine’s 2017 Marina Calendar.
The contest is open to all individuals over the age of 18. Images must include a Bellingham Marine pontoon (a.k.a. dock) or other Bellingham product to be eligible. Images must be of high resolution to be selected for inclusion in the calendar.
Winners will be announced in October. The 2017 calendar will be mailed out late November.
“Bellingham Marine’s annual photo contest has become a celebrated opportunity for marinas and boaters to show-off their facilities,” said Bellingham’s Manager of Business Enhancement, Roxie Comstock. “It’s fun to see the enthusiasm that’s developed around the world for this calendar and the source of pride it gives individuals who are a part of it. That’s what keeps it going.”
All photo entries should be submitted to bmi@bellingham-marine.com by September 9, 2016. The name of the photographer and /or individual submitting the photo, contact information, the name of the marina, and its location must be included with all entries.
As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine specializes in floating dock, floating platform and floating wave attenuation systems for marinas worldwide. The company also produces dry storage systems for the upland storage of boats.
The popular northern California resort traded its worn-out boat docks for modern docks with upgraded amenities.
Geyserville, California, USA – June 23, 2016 – Lake Sonoma Resort has replaced the dated timber docks in their marina and upgraded all utility services. The marina now has Unifloat concrete floating docks that offer both covered boat docks and open slips. This means a better boating experience for the marina’s boaters and a high potential return on investment for the owner.
“The marina was in need of new docks,” said Rick Herbert, owner of Lake Sonoma Resort. “We wanted to make an investment in our facility that would add to the long term value of the property and improve our customers’ experience. The marina’s docks were a wise choice.”
The marina’s 28-year-old timber docks were replaced with a state-of-the-art concrete floating dock system from Bellingham Marine. A roof structure was installed on three of the docks. “It gets hot in our area during the summer months. A covered dock is an amenity that is greatly appreciated and to some extent expected,” shared Herbert.
Although lightweight dock systems are a more traditional choice for inland, seasonal marinas, primarily for financial reasons, concrete docks are becoming a viable alternative. According to Herbert When Bellingham’s price for their Unifloat system came in competitive they were his first choice. “I think they are the best and they last a long time,” said Herbert. “We estimate a 60 plus year life for our marina.”
“No other dock system can handle a roof structure and related load requirements, like a concrete dock can,” said Bellingham Marine Manager of Project Development, Steve Canaday. “Once long term maintenance, performance, useful life, and user experience are taken into account, the Unifloat concrete system offers the best value for an owner wanting a covered marina whether it be a coastal or inland facility.”
One of the challenges of the Lake Sonoma site was the required anchoring system and fluctuation in water height. “The marina needed the ability to be moved in and out with changing water levels, which can be up to 40 feet,” said Herbert. “We needed some flexibility in the system’s main connection points. When you move a 361-slip marina, it has to be done in sections.”
Bellingham Marine designed a fifth-wheel connection that is used where each arm connects to the main walkway. This unique connection allows the docks to pivot slightly, which greatly reduces the loads and stresses placed on the connection point when the docks are being moved.
Lake Sonoma Resort is located in Lake Sonoma, a reservoir, in northern California. The resort includes a marina, campground, boat rental, general store, restaurant, and a handful of other services and amenities. The marina was rebuilt in 2016 by Bellingham Marine with 361 slips for vessels up to 30 feet.
As the world’s leading marina design-build construction company, Bellingham Marine specializes in floating dock, floating platform and floating wave attenuation systems for marinas worldwide. The company also produces dry storage systems for the upland storage of boats.
Here’s a question. Is it better for the marine environment to (A) build a marina basin with a concrete floatingdock marina, or (B) leave the bay, riverside or estuary with no development at all? Years ago the answer was obviously (B). No longer.
“Marinas made of carbonates are artificial reefs,” said Todd Turrell, principal at Turrell, Hall & Associates, an marine and environmental consulting firm in Naples, Florida. “Concrete docks, piles, bulkheads and riprap are habitat. They’re colonized by bivalves, tunicates and other filter feeders that remove particulates and pollutants from the water. That allows sunlight to penetrate the water column so photosynthesis can take place, add oxygen to the water and promote plant growth. If your marina has adequate flushing, there is a good chance that the water is as clean as before it was built. Of course, there can be a negative impact from boats in a marina, but that is typically minor compared with the benefits to the ecology.”
Blue Haven Marina in the Turks & Caicos boasts crystal clear water.
Carbonate-Structure Habitat
Turrell’s firm was commissioned by Bellingham Marine to perform a detailed study of the effects of introducing a concrete floating dock marina into the environment and to identify the types and quantities of marine life that colonize such a structure. The study was conducted at Regatta Marina in Naples, Florida. Apart from the extensive list of species found, the study verified the overwhelming benefits to the environment of providing habitat with concrete structures. In the case studied, the marina replaced a barren mud bottom and a seawall. Continue Reading…
Odds are good that marketing conditions that existed when your marina was built have changed. You may have a “problem child,” a section of the marina that is underperforming. Or, you may suspect there is an opportunity you could capture if you could repurpose part of your marina.
You’re not alone. Around the world owners are adapting their facilities to welcome superyachts, and it’s paying off. In some cases a marina’s existing floats can be reconfigured and reused without additional pile. That usually avoids reliving the lengthy permitting process.
Why superyachts?
Heavy Duty Walkways Rybovich Marina are perfectly suited to handle superyachts.
Superyachts may offer the promise of increased revenues and improved brand caché. The prestige of becoming a superyacht marina can make your marina more competitive and allow you to charge more. Revenue from large yachts may be more consistent than vacancy-prone small slips. Marinas that cater to larger boats can expect higher revenues from fuel sales, supplies and services. They are also unlikely to be burdened with derelict or abandoned vessels.
There are limitations. Reliable channel and basin depth, maneuvering room and ample electrical power are required. 480V 3-phase is essential, as captains do not like to run generators in port. High-speed, high-capacity refueling nearby is an asset.