# Check a marina before you book a berth

A practical method to check a marina before you commit your boat: write a fit sheet, check the route and bridges, ask in writing, visit and compare.

- Level: Practitioner
- Length: 55 minutes
- Exam questions: 9, pass mark 80%, up to 3 attempts
- Certificate: valid for 12 months

## What you will learn

- Write a fit sheet with your boat measures, your stay and your must-have services.
- Check the route to a marina with a NOAA chart, the Coast Pilot and the Local Notice to Mariners.
- Compare air draft with bridge clearance, and find the schedule of a drawbridge.
- Ask each marina the same questions and keep the answers in writing.
- Visit, compare marinas on one sheet and record what is confirmed and what is open.

## Lessons

1. [Write your fit sheet](https://yachtmarinaguide.fyi/academy/check-a-marina-before-you-book/write-your-fit-sheet.md) (12 minutes)
2. [Check the route to the marina](https://yachtmarinaguide.fyi/academy/check-a-marina-before-you-book/check-the-route-to-the-marina.md) (14 minutes)
3. [Ask the marina in writing](https://yachtmarinaguide.fyi/academy/check-a-marina-before-you-book/ask-the-marina-in-writing.md) (14 minutes)
4. [Visit, compare and record](https://yachtmarinaguide.fyi/academy/check-a-marina-before-you-book/visit-compare-and-record.md) (12 minutes)

## Questions

### Do I need a boat to take this course?

No. You can take it before you buy a boat. The method works with the measures of any boat you plan to use.

### Does the course list the best marinas?

No. This directory does not rate or recommend marinas. The course shows you how to check any marina yourself.

### Does passing the exam approve a marina?

No. The certificate of completion records that you passed this site's exam. It does not approve a marina. The choice is yours, based on written answers and your own checks.

Also on the [web page](https://yachtmarinaguide.fyi/academy/check-a-marina-before-you-book).