West Alton Marina has been serving the Lake Winnipesaukee community since 1962 as a family-owned and operated marina in Alton Bay, New Hampshire. With 400 annual in-water slips and comprehensive boatyard services, the marina has built its reputation as a full-service facility offering winter storage, summer docking, fuel, and boat maintenance.
Operations Manager Nathan Shrider has overseen the marina’s digital transformation, moving from manual, paper-heavy processes to a connected digital ecosystem. DockMaster Web and e-signature tools now serve as the operational backbone, supporting everything from dock management to contract processing.
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Key DockMaster Features Driving Success
Mobile Access and Real-Time Dock Management
With DockMaster Web, marina staff can access vessel information, customer profiles, and work orders directly from their phones. Instead of returning to the office, Shrider and his team now handle customer inquiries instantly while walking the docks.
“I can pull out my phone, look up bow numbers, and see the latest work orders and docking assignments,” says Shrider.
This real-time access has streamlined daily operations, reduced delays, and improved responsiveness.
Customer Portal for Insurance Management
Managing insurance certificates was one of the marina’s most persistent challenges. Previously, certificates were tracked manually, creating compliance risks and extra work. DockMaster Web’s customer portal now allows boaters to upload their own certificates, receive expiration reminders, and keep records current.
“Customers will be able to upload their own insurance certificates and be reminded when they’re set to expire and renew,” Shrider explains.
This feature reduces administrative effort while ensuring regulatory requirements are consistently met.
E-Signatures and Digital Documentation
Contract management has seen some of the most dramatic improvements. In the past, agreements were returned inconsistently: some printed, others emailed or dropped off. DockMaster’s e-signature tool now allows contracts to be sent and signed electronically, with secure storage and automated tracking.
“In three days, we sent out all 400 of our unique agreements, and they started coming back immediately,” Shrider recalls.
The streamlined process eliminated paperwork bottlenecks, simplified customer onboarding, and provided one centralized location for all signed contracts.
DockMaster Web also supports digital vessel documentation, maintenance histories, and insurance records, ensuring comprehensive and accessible data management.
Responsive Development and Customization
When Shrider requested the ability to send unique agreements instead of bulk contracts, DockMaster’s development team quickly adapted the tool.
“Within one day, they had already come up with a solution. Three days later, we were sending contracts exactly the way we needed.”
This responsiveness highlighted DockMaster’s flexibility and commitment to addressing real-world operational needs.
Operational Benefits
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Faster workflows: Contract turnaround times improved significantly with e-signature capabilities.
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Reduced paperwork: Administrative tasks such as insurance tracking and contract management shifted online.
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Centralized records: All customer documents, histories, and agreements are stored in one secure system.
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Customer convenience: Boaters benefit from easier contract signing, self-service portals, and transparent access to records.
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Staff efficiency: Mobile access and integrated modules reduce repetitive tasks and improve service response times.
Why West Alton Marina Relies on DockMaster
Shrider sees DockMaster as both powerful and adaptable: “It’s akin to a classic car: lots of horsepower under the hood, but also the ability to tinker and make it your own.”
Unlike other systems that require ongoing outside support, DockMaster enables the marina to customize and adjust operations while maintaining an interface that staff find easy to use. The positive response from customers confirms the value of this modernization effort.
Conclusion
West Alton Marina’s transition to DockMaster Web and e-signature illustrates how marinas can move beyond manual processes to create an integrated digital ecosystem. By addressing challenges in mobile access, insurance management, and contract distribution, the marina has reduced administrative workload, improved compliance, and enhanced the customer experience.
For West Alton Marina, DockMaster is more than software, it’s the foundation of their operational efficiency and a partner in adapting to evolving customer expectations.