Where you keep your boat is often just as important as what boat you decide to buy. Some factors are obvious. Is there a pool? Are the slips big enough for your boat? And, of course, how much does a slip cost?

But there are some other details you may not discover until it's too late. If you want to find the perfect parking spot for Mom's Mink, do thorough research. Use Google and the other search engines to learn about marinas and what prior slip holders have to say; walk the docks; and bend some ears.

And as you look around that marina, here are some things to consider.

LENNY RUDOWLook for planks that don't match, to discover if the dockmaster maintains them or waits, then fixes.WATER, POWER AND FUEL

Having a pool in the marina is nice. So are restaurants, ship's stores, and bait and tackle shops. Some marinas have all of the above, and others have little more than an ice machine and garbage cans. How important each convenience is to you, naturally, is a matter of personal preference. But there are a few key items to bear in mind.

You can go to the food store or the tackle shop on your way to the marina, but buying fuel for the boat is a different story. Does the marina you're considering have fuel docks? If so, how many pumps are there? Single-pump stations are sure to mean a wait on beautiful Saturday afternoons, when you'd rather be boating than sitting in line.

Also check to make sure the fuel makes the grade; the majority of on-the-water pumps have low-octane fuel, and some engines, such as Mercury's Verado series, need high-test to perform properly. If, for example, you have a 250-horsepower Verado on your transom and you pump 87 octane into the tanks, the engine will de-tune itself, and the price could be as high as 50 or so horsepower. Finally, fill up before you decide whether a fuel dock meets your needs. Some have painfully slow pumps, and you won't know how fast any given pump is until you give it a try.

Another key consideration is a good freshwater supply. Don't laugh – some marinas have a single faucet servicing two or more slips, which makes for low pressure and long washdowns. Do you care how your boat looks? If so, you'll want to find out if a marina has particularly hard water, a common problem that causes ugly spots that will require you to chamois your boat after washing it down.

Electric service is another convenience that may make or break a marina. Sure, most have electric, but do they also have separate meters, posted at every slip? You'd better hope so. Otherwise you'll have to accept the marina's electric bill without question. You don't think that's such a big deal? Consider this: A few years back, I received a bill for my slip's electric use over a three-month period at a certain marina – even though my boat was a small center console that didn't have a dockside power system and couldn't be plugged in.

LENNY RUDOWCovered lift slips like this one are prime.Finally, consider whether the marina in question has a service shop that can handle your type of engine. The newer your boat, the less likely this is, since more modern engines are more complex and require dealership service or a highly trained mechanic. If you can get basic service done on site, consider it a significant bonus. If you have dealer-certified service, consider it a minor miracle that outweighs an avalanche of negative aspects the marina may have.

SAFETY

A marina can be a dangerous place, especially if you have kids who run up and down the docks. So, why didn't we make this the number-one item? Most modern marinas are pretty darn good when it comes to safety concerns. They have to be in order to get insurance in this day and age. Still, there are a few give-away tidbits of information that will help you ascertain whether the marina you're considering is as safe as it should be.

Fire is a natural hazard around boats because they all carry fuel. Many carry several types of fuel, such as gasoline, propane and alcohol. If a fire breaks out while your boat is in the marina, how far will you have to run to find a fire extinguisher? Some have an extinguisher within reach practically at all times. In others, you may have to run 50 or even 100 feet to get to one.

While you're running down that dock, you'd better hope your leg doesn't go crashing through old, rotted planking. Most marinas re-plank piers every so often, but this means you'll have a few good years, followed by a few bad ones. Safety-conscious marinas regularly maintain their planking, instead of re-planking all at once and then forgetting about it. When you're checking out a marina, look for sections of newer and older (but in good shape, of course) wood planks that don't match. This indicates a dockmaster who's constantly maintaining, instead of waiting and then rebuilding.

Protection from open water is also something to look for. It's bad enough getting tossed around at sea – but in your own slip? Actually, this is far more dangerous because we often become complacent while we're moored. And if your marina faces open water, an unexpected boat wake can turn that complacency into an injury. Marinas that are fully protected by seawalls, jetties, or bulkheads are best. Slips that are several piers deep in a marina enjoy some protection from waves, too. Speed limits are great, but someone's going to violate the no-wake zone sooner or later, so you can't depend on them for protection.

GOOD BOATKEEPING

Life in a marina can be tough on a boat, and if you want to maintain yours properly for years to come, there's a lot to consider.