Anchoring your boat out in the dock is great, but having an adequate space holding it around is a wonderful way of keeping your watercraft securely in place.
Comparable to a camping site, a boat slip is where you park your watercraft. It’s also a great option if you want to live aboard in the marina without your anchor dragging it away from the boat dock. Many marinas offer amenities and hookups to make this possible.
Depending on your location, many boat slips also provide a range of services, such as a gas station, shop, and restaurant directly on the premises. This way, you’ll have access to everything you need, making it more convenient to stay on your boat.
But one of the most common concerns I hear from new boat owners is the cost of renting. The truth is, there’s not a single price to rent a boat slip. It will depend on where you’re from, the size of the boat, the amenities offered by the marina, and other factors.
In this article, I’ll go over everything you need to know about renting a boat slip, including how much you can expect to spend based on your location. I’ll also discuss the different amenities that generally come with the slip cost.
Cost of Renting a Boat Slip
So, how much does it cost to rent a boat slip? As I’ve mentioned earlier, the price of renting a boat slip depends on so many variables, and it would be very difficult to determine the exact price.
On average, you can expect to pay between $150 and $950 per month for boats that are between 30 and 40-feet long. You can plan a monthly budget of at least $10 to $25 per foot. If you’re going to park your boat for a day, you are likely to pay at least $2 to $3 an hour or $4 to $6 per night.
General Cost for Boat Slip in Different U.S Locations
To make it easier for you to explore the prices, I checked different geographic locations around the US and put the average monthly slip rates I gathered in the table below. Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimations. You may spend more or pay less, depending on the location, amenities, and other factors.
| Location | Boat Size (feet) | Monthly Price per Foot |
| Chesapeake Bay, Virginia | 42’ | $200 |
| Bradenton, Florida | 37’ | $900 |
| Georgetown, Maine | 24’ | $2,112 |
| Key West, Florida | 28’ | $500 |
| Long Beach, California | 45 | $750 |
| Marina Del Rey, California | 45 | $750 |
| Miami, Florida | 37’ | $851 |
| Palm Beach, Florida | 37’ | $925 |
| Portland Oregon | 42’ | $157 |
Things To Consider in Choosing a Slip for Your Boat
Finding a good boat slip might not be quite as simple as you think. Some marinas may have restrictions in terms of what you can and can’t do. So, you can expect varying prices based on your preferences. Here are some of the factors you must consider in renting a boat slip.
Security
When renting a boat slip, make sure that the location is well-lit and is in a friendly neighborhood. Renting a slip from high-risk areas might be tempting, but you’ll want to avoid such locations for both your boat’s and your safety.
Minimum Length
If you have a too-small boat to occupy the slip yet prevents other boats from tying up the space, it will cost the marina owner money. Marinas will want to maximize their profit, which is why you’ll frequently notice a cut-off for the slip length.
Having a smaller boat will have you paying extra because even if your boat doesn’t take up the full slot, the marina operator won’t be able to squeeze another boat into it. So if the slip is 25 feet long and your boat is only 15 feet, you’ll still have to pay for the full price of a 20 feet slip.
It will be wise to inquire about the minimum lengths. This way, you can consider multiple rates from different marinas.
Slip vs Face Dock
Marinas occasionally market different spots such as face or slip. Sometimes they will ask you which one you prefer once you get there. Slips, generally, provide a dedicated parking area for your boat. It’s where you may tie it up on all four corners. Face docking, however, is similar to parallel parking.
Hourly vs Nightly
The difference between hourly and nightly fees is something that many novice boaters find perplexing. You’ll be spending the same sum on an afternoon at the marina as you would on a night there.
The marina loses relatively little money by renting a spot for the night at a lower cost than day renting. This is because only a few boats arrive in search of a slip.
Annual, Seasonal, or Transient Slips
Most marinas sell their spots on an annual or transitory basis. You can buy transient tickets on hourly, daily, nightly, weekly, or monthly terms. Annual slips are often paid every month but are long-term leases.
Seasonal passes, instead of yearly passes, are available in Northern states. You’ll also find marinas that offer a flat fee for bundled dry docks storage for the winter season and a wet dock for dry summer.
If you really need a place to park your boat throughout the year, search around and compare slip costs to pick the offer that fits your budget. Annual passes are excellent for marinas as they provide stable income and renters.
It could be a great option since you usually save money. And it can protect you from seasonal price fluctuations.
Marina Operators’ Expertise
You should go for a marina that will look after your boat and provide excellent customer service.
The owners should have a good understanding of their duties and know how to conduct safety. It’s always a good idea to read through online customer reviews. This way, you’ll get a general sense of how effective their security is and how often they keep the location clean.
Types of Amenities and Services
There are many marinas around the country that provide different amenities in addition to the spots that you rent. Availing of most of these amenities and services can cause the fees to skyrocket. These are some of the perks you can enjoy when you rent a boat slip at your local marina.
Power Washing
Salt can accumulate on your boat if it’s been on the water for a long time. Power washing is an effective technique to clean the whole deck. Depending on the marina’s rate, it can cost about $5 per foot.
Private bathrooms, lockers, watertight dock boxes, laundry facilities, dock stairs, as well as other amenities are also available.
Bottom Painting
Many marinas offer bottom painting services. When you place your boat in a slip, the marina can pull it out and paint the bottom. In terms of supplies and labor. It can get pricey. So, you may need to budget roughly $20 to $30 per foot. This is optional and you can go for it only if you feel your boat requires a fresh coat.
Water
Water is really not an expensive item at any marina. You’re likely to spend roughly $10 for 250 gallons of water, and you can also pay a cent per gallon.
Electricity
Convenience is everything. If you’re going to stay at the marina, you’ll want easy access to appliances and charging stations. They can charge you per day and the fee depends on the amount of energy you consume. You can expect to pay between $10 and $50 per day.
FAQs
What does it cost to dock a boat?
If you own a boat, you’re likely wondering how much it costs to dock it. Boat slip fees in US marinas are typically between $12 to $240 per foot of boat length each year. In general, most marinas will rent a site for $50 per ft a year.
Can I anchor my boat anywhere?
Yes, as long as your anchor cable or anchor rode is long enough.
Is renting a boat worth it?
You can tell whether or not renting boat slips is worth it depending on how long you’ll be staying in the location. If you’re staying there for good, getting a boat slip may be a fantastic investment. It can shield you against the rising prices in your location.
Final Thoughts
Whether you feel it’s more cost-effective to rent boat slips on a yearly or transitory basis, what matters the most is that you choose the right boat slip for your budget and requirements. You can also choose a marina slip with fewer amenities and in lesser prime locations if you want to save money.
I hope you find this guide handy in finding the best deals for renting boat slips. Good luck and have fun!
