I am at the city marina here in Çanakkale, Turkey.

Marina

The winter rate is quite reasonable, the summer rate less so. Looks can be deceiving, but it appears to be well run, with the boaters’ interest placed first. It is a little run down but I have heard that they plan to expand.

There is a reliable 16 amp service, and they have allowed me to tap two outlets for 32 amp service. Currently, the cost is included in the mooring fee, but I expect that to change.

Mostly power boats here, some sailboats.

The marina is just 50-75 meters from the city. Security is tight as they have a “Sea Police” office manned 24/7 with armed personnel. The marina office is also manned 24/7 with at least one person. During this past weekend’s high wind storms, there were two round the clock, and they were kept quite busy.

Canakkale is also a port of entry, where no agent is required, and every service is within a very pleasant walking distance. Renewal of transit logs appears to be a non-issue, just go into the Harbormaster’s office down the street and renew. It seems to be hit and miss as to whether he has a blank transit log in hand for you to buy, but I have heard that if you apply, and he does not have one, he will get one and not “ding” you if you apply after your expiration date.

Lastly, this marina is NOT for people who want to tie up their boat and then leave it w/o care for months on end. If someone wants to do that, then suggest they hire one of the local commercial boat operators / Turkish Captains to care for the boat. Lines need tending, and so do fenders.

The marina staff seems to appreciate my set-up with two pairs of mooring springs on my stern lines, their two lazy lines cinched as tight as a violin string, and fenders all around. Since we live on board full time, they have asked me to help when the weather turns crazy and I am glad to help. Seems that if you scratch their back a little, they scratch back a lot.

Services

There is one or two good stainless steel welders in town, and at least one great machine shop that can work magic with metal and poly. Canvas shops are scarce, but the two boat captains next to me seem to have a good source. Have yet to find an inflatable repair shop. There is one decent marine supply shop who runs a very honest business. There is a great hardware store just around the corner from him.

There are two weekly farmer’s markets (clothes, towels, shoes and household stuff also sold, fresh fish also!)  in town, and we have walked to them a number of times. There is also public transport to them. Grocery stores tend to be small, and family owned, with one not-so-small one next to the movie theater, and a much BIGGER one out of town on the way to Troy (also serviced by public transportation). Become a regular with a local butcher and he will reward you with stuff, not on display.

As this is a university town, cheap eats are in abundance, and so are some decent family run restaurants. There are a McDonalds and Burger King in town, and USD and Euros are dispensed from some ATMs around the port area.

There are plenty of tailors in town, eager to work on whatever indoor fabric project the Admiral has! They have reasonable prices and a reasonable assortment of fabrics to chose from, per the Admiral.

Lee

M/V LeeZe