It’s no secret that now, more than ever, marinas are getting creative about attracting and retaining moorage customers. This innovative program might well be a model to make boat ownership more appealing. What do you think? (just scroll down to the bottom of the page to comment) –KH
Here ‘s the press release:
BREMERTON, Wash., – Bremerton Marina is pleased to announce the launch of an innovative program – the Olympic Peninsula Cruising Club – which allows new tenants signing up in 2014 reciprocal rights at three Puget Sound locations. Current tenants will be grandfathered in to the program. Reciprocal rights and yacht club outstations have long been one of the prized benefits of yacht club membership. But who wants to pay for both yacht club dues and marina moorage if they don’t have to? With this new program—which Bremerton Marina is calling the ‘un yacht club’—Bremerton Marina tenants can choose from three locations: the Home Port Marina in Pleasant Harbor, Port Hadlock Marina and Emerald Yachts in Gig Harbor. With these three locations, Cruising Club members will be able to easily explore South Sound, Central Sound and Northwest Puget Sound. Bremerton Marina plans to add more locations in the future.
“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this value-add to our tenants,” said Jim Rothlin, CEO, Port of Bremerton. “With wide berths, huge fairways, sparkling new bathrooms and sweeping views of Sinclair Inlet we know we have a boater’s dream marina. But we also know that cruising is one of the great joys of boat ownership and we have some of the best cruising grounds in the world at our backdoor, so we’re pleased to be able to do our part in helping our tenants cast off and go explore.”
How it works
Reciprocal moorage is based on availability. Moorage is limited to two consecutive nights at any one marina. Cruising Club members may visit each facility up to four times per year giving them a total of a possible 24 nights at reciprocal properties. There are no blackout dates even in the summer months. To book, Cruising Club members simply call the Bremerton Marina Office at 360-373-1035. Reservations may be made up to 60 days in advance, but only one reservation at any given time can be on the books. Tenants are responsible for the cost of power, showers and any other incidentals.
About Port Hadlock Marina
A gem of a marina, Port Hadlock Marina has 600 feet of waterfront, picnic tables and barbeque pits and offers kayaks for rent. Quirky, quaint and locally renowned, the Ajax Café is a short dingy ride away. A QFC (with a Starbucks inside) is a short stroll if you feel like cooking on board but left a few provisions behind. The marina is situated at the south end of Port Townsend Bay close to the entrance to Straits of Juan De Fuca making it the perfect pit stop before heading to the San Juan Islands and beyond.
About Home Port Marina in Pleasant Harbor
Pleasant Harbor is a major stopping point on Hood Canal and particularly popular during the three-week-long shrimping season in May. A short walk from the Home Port Marina gets you to Pleasant Harbor Marina with a well-stocked store (with espresso, ice, bait, tackle, marine hardware and beer and wine) and the Galley Pizza Restaurant.
About Emerald Yachts
Yacht brokers, Emerald Yachts, have graciously agreed to host the Bremerton Marina Cruising Club. Their dock is in a prime location, boasts an incredible view and is a short one-and-a half blocks from downtown Gig Harbor. Gig Harbor is one of the most perfectly protected harbors in all of Puget Sound, and one of the most charming towns with shops, galleries and antiques. Additionally, no visit to Gig Harbor would be complete without a stop at the Tides Tavern.
About Bremerton Marina:
Located on Sinclair Inlet, our state of the art marina offers 220 permanent slips available on a month to month basis as well as room for 80-100 visiting boaters. For more information please visit our website at http://www.portofbremerton.org/marinas/bremerton or our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/BremertonMarina. We can also be contacted at 360-373-1035.
