Thinking about the possible ideal retirement, once the most intense stage of work activity is over, is something that at any given time anyone considers and there are as many «perfect» plans as there are tastes and preferences. 

There are many who see the sea as the best environment for active aging, combining relaxation with their favorite hobbies, from fishing to the simple pleasure of sailing.

To make your dream come true, you not only need a sport or leisure boat, of more or less meters in length, but also a safe place to leave it. Finding it can be more complicated (and expensive) than buying your own boat from a supplier like Marinemax .

What legislation applies to mooring points?

Before launching into the reality of the idea you have always had in mind, you should know how a marina works. These ports, located in areas considered maritime – land are public interest assets with special legal protection. 

They are owned by the state although competence for their construction, remodeling or management has been transferred to the autonomous communities.

In turn, each community can decide whether to take charge of the port itself, through direct management, or to assign it to a company for a certain number of years. 

Until a few decades ago, the maximum time for this transfer was generally 30 years, although some communities have already implemented regulations to extend it to 50 or even 75 years, as the Spanish Federation of Tourist and Marina Associations points out.

Lawyers specializing in this area explain that the mooring points work under a concession, that is, even if you buy one, in reality what you acquire is a preferential right of use during the years the port concession is in force. After this time, you would have to renew your right to moor.

It is also possible to rent it, either for a short period (days or week) or for long periods (months or years). In this case you would have the same rights as the «owner».

How much do they cost and what expenses are involved?

Like any other good, the price of a mooring point will be determined mainly by supply and demand. The differences in rates, both for buying and selling and for renting, are very different and depend mainly on where the marina is located and the services it offers. 

It is not difficult to imagine that the prices of a berth in Puerto Banus, in the Balearic Islands, in the Port Vell Marina in Barcelona or in Sotogrande in Cadiz, will be considerably higher than others you may find in less quoted coastal areas. 

In this sense (and so that you don’t get scared) there are many towns that have several ports of this type. Next to the super exclusive yacht port, there are usually, not too far away, others with less «power» but perfect for docking your Marinemax «boat» with the same guarantees.

The mooring point offers some facilities and also a series of services, in whose maintenance the «owner» must collaborate obligatorily by means of the corresponding quota. Cleaning, electricity supply, security personnel, ease of repairs… 

As far as rights are concerned, the first of course is to be able to leave your boat moored whenever you want and in most marinas it is possible to rent this space to third parties if you consider it appropriate (you should always consult the specific regulations of each port).

What should you look for when choosing a mooring?

Logically, the ideal port is the one you can access most easily because it is closer to your usual place of residence or summer resort, but sometimes, for a price, you can compensate by acquiring the mooring in another one that is a little further away. 

It is also obvious that you will have to acquire or rent one that is appropriate for the dimensions of your boat.

It is very important to take into account the security conditions offered by the port, both in terms of protection against possible inclement weather (dikes of proven effectiveness against storms and large tides) and in terms of possible surveillance services, which will ensure that your boat is protected while in port. 

Generally, the port is not responsible for any mishap or damage that your boat may suffer.

Also check that the facilities are adequate and that there are extra services that are especially useful: changing rooms, showers, electricity and water points for the boat, gas station in the port itself, bar or restaurant…

Finally, if you are not an expert skipper, check out the ease of mooring at the time of docking. As with the parking spaces, some allow you to leave the boat perfect and «at first» and others require complex maneuvers. 

If you can choose, the best ones are the ones with «finger», that is to say, with a small separation, type mini pontoon, between boats that perfectly delimit the space that corresponds to each one of them, and avoid any damage in your Marinemax boat.