Boat Slip Rentals & Storage

Find a marina or storage facility for docking your boat or yacht. We have found facilities that accept long term, short term, transient and live aboard vessels around Florida. Many marina's offer a wonderful call ahead service where they will get your boat ready for your arrival, complete with ice and topped off with fuel!

Many of us in Florida are lucky to have a dock in our back yard. For those of you who do not have a dock, we have many options in Florida for docking and storing your boat. Docking your boat out of the water, and if possible out of the sun, is the best option to reduce maintenance and to keep your boat in pristine condition. Be sure to read about your storage options further down on this page.

Restrooms Ship Store Bait Available Fuel Liveaboard Transient Slips

Types of Boat Slips

Wet Slips are boat docking in the water at either a private dock or a marina. Usually electricity and water are provided on the dock. This is the only option if you have a large boat.

Dry Slips are storage facilities that store your boat on their property or on a rack. Some facilities have indoor storage racks that keep your boat out of the elements.

Boat Lifts are the norm for waterfront houses in Florida, they keep your boat high and dry. In the summer, your boat's hull can get covered with barnacles in as little as 3 days if it is sitting in the water. A boat sitting in the water also is exposed to increased moisture which effects equipment and erodes the body of your boat. So, if you can get your boat high and dry, this is the best option.

Covered boat slips are limited but an excellent option to keep your boat out of the sun and weather. The sun rapidly fades paint, canvas, and other boat accessories. The weather can dirty your boat and birds can make of mess on it.

Covered boat storage can either be a wet slip or dry slip with a lift. Some communities still have grand-fathered covered boat docks which cannot be rebuilt if destroyed due to new DEP regulations. If you are lucky enough to live in one of these communities or can rent one of these dock spaces, they are an excellent storage option.

Boat Storage

If you use your boat seasonally or infrequently, storing your boat is an great option.

Boat and Trailer's can be in your back yard if allowed in your community. They can also be stored in your garage or out building for added protection against the elements. Storage companies will also let you park the boat/trailer setup on their property for a monthly fee. Some marina's offer this same option of dry storage.

Trailers are always a challenge to find storage. Many smaller boats come with trailers, but are used infrequently if you dock your boat at a backyard dock or marina. Some counties only allow trailers to be stored in your back yard behind the foot print of your house. Some communities go further and do not allow them unless they are fully enclosed in your garage. You can store the trailer at a storage unit property for a monthly fee, a marina with facilities for trailers, or sometimes a property owner with a large amount of land will offer storage for a nominal fee.

Some Marina's offer dry rack storage where they put your boat on a rack and charge a monthly fee. The fee's vary widely by facility as some will provide boat wash down service. The draw back of this option is you have to call ahead to get your boat in the water and you have to return before they close. This option is also the most expensive. If you want to store the boat when you are out of town you could negotiate a shorter term, many marina's are very flexible.

Marina wet slips are a wonderful option. These slips are at the marina's docks and you can come and go as you please. They usually offer security and keep an eye on your boat when you are out of town. They usually offer electricity, fuel, ice and snacks, rest rooms and usually repair services on site.

Private boat docks can be rented on a monthly basis from individual homeowners, hotel properties, or private boat clubs. Some come with lifts or even covers to keep your boat out of the elements. You usually rent these docks at your own risk, so research carefully and check to be sure the lifts are in good working order as they are holding a lot of weight.

Hurricanes and Tropical Storms

We have severe storms during Hurricane Season which can be a concern for boat owners. Hurricane Season in the Atlantic begins June 1st and ends November 30th. When you leave for the season or extended period of time during hurricane season, be sure you boat is tied to the lift and dock securely. Adding boat whips to your dock also helps to keep your boat safely away from the dock during rough weather. If you will be securing your boat and have little experience doing so, recruit an experienced boater or call your local fire station for help.

In the picture to the right a boat was left on it's lift during Hurricane Wilma in 2005. The owner never tied the boat to the lift (then the lift to the pilings) so the strong winds caused the cables to snap sinking the boat.

The Sea Ray boat to the left sunk in it's slip even though it was tied securely. The boat filled with water from heavy rain during the hurricane.

Always have a plan which includes someone in Naples that can check on your boat. A great option is to use a dry storage facility to store your boat during your extended absence from the area.