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Use this as a research brief, not a final answer. The ranges, fees, and rules below reflect how wet slip vs dry storage 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.
Wet slip keeps your boat ready to go but accelerates bottom and waterline wear. Dry storage protects the boat but adds friction to every trip. For most U.S. boaters under 35 ft with outboards, the math now favors dry stack.
Wet slip cost: $15–$65 per foot per month, plus electricity, plus annual bottom paint ($1,500–$4,000) and zincs. A 32 ft center console in Florida runs $600–$1,500/month at the slip and $2,000–$3,000/year in bottom maintenance.
Dry stack cost: $10–$25 per foot per month for the same boat. No bottom paint, no zincs, less UV damage. Trade-off: 30–60 minute launch lead time, no overnighting, and weight/beam limits cap at ~14,000 lb and ~40 ft LOA.
Lifestyle: wet slip enables liveaboards, multi-day trips with the boat as a base, sunset cocktails on board. Dry stack is purely launch-and-return — closer to having a car at a valet garage than a waterfront cottage.
Wet slip wins when
- • Boat over 35 ft
- • Boat has cabin/galley
- • Liveaboard or extended cruising
- • Sailboat or inboard
- • Frequent overnighting
Dry stack wins when
- • Outboard center console
- • Under 35 ft
- • Hurricane-prone area
- • Hate bottom paint
- • Weekend day trips