- Large differences in berthing fees for boats in the North
Along the North and Baltic Seas, on rivers or lakes inland - over 100 marinas in Schleswig-Holstein offer mooring spots for both large and small boats. The length of these mooring spots ranges from under five meters at the Sylt Yacht Club to up to 50 meters at the Werftkontor in Flensburg. Prices also vary significantly, as shown by a survey conducted by the German Press Agency.
One of the largest marinas, with up to 1400 mooring spots, is the Ancora Marina in Neustadt in Holstein. It accommodates boats up to 30 meters in length. The daily fee for so-called guest moorings starts at 24.50 euros. The most expensive mooring spot for a 30-meter-long boat costs 130 euros, according to the operators.
In contrast, the Jachthafen Lauenburg at the entrance to the Elbe-Lübeck Canal, with space for 70 boats up to 18 meters in length and a maximum draft of four meters, appears smaller. Here, mooring fees are tiered according to size: "Prices here range between 6 and 30 euros per day," says harbor master Yildiz Frühauf. "Houseboats, which also occasionally moor here, pay between 15 and 40 euros, depending on their length."
The Marina in Heiligenhafen, Kreis Ostholstein, accommodates boats up to 20 meters in length, with daily fees ranging from 14 to 36 euros depending on the boat's length. The Bobswerft on the banks of the Trave in Lübeck-Travemünde offers around 120 mooring spots at prices starting from 17 euros per day. "The majority of boats that moor here are between ten and thirteen meters long," says the harbor master there.
On the North Sea island of Sylt, there's a small yacht harbor with 80 mooring spots for both permanent and guest moorings. Daily prices start at 11.50 euros for a boat up to five meters in length. For catamarans, the mooring fees start at 15.50 euros per day, and for trimarans, at 17.50 euros. Cheaper mooring spots can be found in the harbor of Büsum, Kreis Dithmarschen, where guest moorers pay between 10 and 24 euros per day depending on the boat's length.
Marinas vs. Sportboat Harbors
In practice, a distinction is made between sportboat harbors and marinas. Sportboat harbors are facilities that offer mooring spots along with nearby amenities such as slipways, cranes, and sanitation facilities, according to a guide to the classification of sportboat harbors by the Ostholstein Development Agency (Egoh). A marina, on the other hand, provides a more comprehensive infrastructure, including restaurants, accommodation options, shops, and service and repair workshops. "The expectations of boat owners have changed in recent years," the guide states. "The trend is towards the full-service offering of a marina."
The Ancora Marina in Neustadt in Holstein, located on the North Sea, is not the only option for boat owners. The Jachthafen Lauenburg, situated at the entrance of the Elbe-Lübeck Canal, also offers mooring spots, albeit on a smaller scale, with fees ranging from 6 to 40 euros per day depending on the boat's size.
If you're sailing in the North Sea, don't forget to explore the Sylt Yacht Club. Although it has fewer mooring spots than some marinas, it still provides an affordable option with daily fees starting at 11.50 euros for boats up to five meters long.
