Reading this page
Use this as a research brief, not a final answer. The ranges, fees, and rules below reflect how transient vs monthly dockage typically work across the U.S., but every marina sets its own policy. Verify the specifics in writing with the dockmaster before you put money down.
Transient is the right call for short stops; monthly is meaningfully cheaper once you're spending two weeks or more in one harbor. Snowbirds and Loopers often combine both — monthly home port, transient on the route.
Transient: $2.50–$10/ft/night. Easy to book, easy to leave, but expensive over time. A 40 ft boat at $5/ft/night = $6,000/month if you stayed all 30 nights — vs $1,200–$2,000 for a monthly contract.
Monthly: $20–$65/ft/month at most US markets. Includes parking, dock-cart access, often Wi-Fi. Breakeven vs transient is roughly 12–15 nights at most marinas.
Transient wins when
- • Stay under 2 weeks
- • Route-based cruising
- • Testing a region
- • Stopover en route
- • Maximum flexibility
Monthly wins when
- • Stay 2+ weeks
- • Local cruising base
- • Liveaboard or work nearby
- • Snowbird winter stay
- • Lower per-night cost