Do Tell, Boatel?

[Sarah]

Hey there,
As I research my local (Norfolk, VA) options, and there are a lot fortunately, I'm in much need of advice/opinions on boat storage for my upcoming 260 Sundancer. Am thinking wet slip 6 months out of year so I can hop on when I please. And then dry storage the other 6. But what's best for the boat? Should I choose a wet slip with a lift? Should I dry storage all year? Would love to wet slip all year but really need opinions from those much saltier than I!! Thanks!

 

[Captn TJ]

depends on how you use the boat and the hours of operation for dry storage ( I assume you mean rack storage?). After having boats in a slip for years we now keep our new to us 280 in rack storage. Don't have to worry about washing, bottom paint etc. It's like valet service for your boat. On the other hasnd my wife misses just sitting on the boat at the dock. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

 

[Sarah]

depends on how you use the boat and the hours of operation for dry storage ( I assume you mean rack storage?). After having boats in a slip for years we now keep our new to us 280 in rack storage. Don't have to worry about washing, bottom paint etc. It's like valet service for your boat. On the other hasnd my wife misses just sitting on the boat at the dock. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

What were your added expenses for keeping it in a slip? Why did you change to rack?

 

[Sarah]

What were your added expenses for keeping it in a slip? Why did you change to rack?

(Other than listed)

 

[Stee6043]

If you don't intend to spend a fair amount of time at the dock enjoying the marina/people/relaxing - rack storage should be a no-brainer. Getting boats up and out of the water for storage when not in use is absolutely the best thing ever. I used rack storage before having a cruiser. Like mentioned above it's like having valet service. Cannot be beat.

If you want to enjoy the community of being in a marina, want to stick a grill somewhere, want to spend nights on the boat, want to just relax - slips are awesome. The downside to slips is that they cost a lot more than rack storage (I assume this to be true in most regions) and the boat gets dirty...all the time.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Sarah, rack storage is probably the best for your boat because it's not sitting in salt water (I'm assuming you will be boating on salt water). Plus, you don't have to bottom paint it and won't have to worry about algae and barnacles growing on the bottom.

Next best for the boat, IMHO, would be a slip with a lift. That gives you the advantage of the boat being out of the water plus you can hang out on the boat in the slip if you want and socialize with your dock neighbors. You will find that's a regular sub-culture down there and there's a fair amount of partying that goes on. Dock neighbors can be a good source of answers to the many questions you will have. If you can find a covered slip where you can put a lift that would be the best of all worlds. But that's just my $.02.

 

[Captn TJ]

(Other than listed)

We use to commute an 1 1/2 hr to our previous boats to spend the weekend on them. Now we live about 5 min away from the rack storage facility. Since we have our old friends/dockmates we can still enjoy their company. FYI our rack storage includes heated storage in the winter so don't have to worry about winterizing plus i can work on it. 12 mos of rack storage is still cheaper than a 6 months. dockage plus we would have to pay winter storage on top of that.

 

[Sarah]

If you don't intend to spend a fair amount of time at the dock enjoying the marina/people/relaxing - rack storage should be a no-brainer. Getting boats up and out of the water for storage when not in use is absolutely the best thing ever. I used rack storage before having a cruiser. Like mentioned above it's like having valet service. Cannot be beat.

If you want to enjoy the community of being in a marina, want to stick a grill somewhere, want to spend nights on the boat, want to just relax - slips are awesome. The downside to slips is that they cost a lot more than rack storage (I assume this to be true in most regions) and the boat gets dirty...all the time.

Fortunately here rack storage is only $1.00 more per foot than a slip. Prices start at about $8 a foot. Have heard some say that when stored you don't need to wash it. I thought a boat needed a thorough washing after a day on salt water.

 

[Sarah]

Sarah, rack storage is probably the best for your boat because it's not sitting in salt water (I'm assuming you will be boating on salt water). Plus, you don't have to bottom paint it and won't have to worry about algae and barnacles growing on the bottom.

Next best for the boat, IMHO, would be a slip with a lift. That gives you the advantage of the boat being out of the water plus you can hang out on the boat in the slip if you want and socialize with your dock neighbors. You will find that's a regular sub-culture down there and there's a fair amount of partying that goes on. Dock neighbors can be a good source of answers to the many questions you will have. If you can find a covered slip where you can put a lift that would be the best of all worlds. But that's just my $.02.

Well spent!

 

[Sarah]

We use to commute an 1 1/2 hr to our previous boats to spend the weekend on them. Now we live about 5 min away from the rack storage facility. Since we have our old friends/dockmates we can still enjoy their company. FYI our rack storage includes heated storage in the winter so don't have to worry about winterizing plus i can work on it. 12 mos of rack storage is still cheaper than a 6 months. dockage plus we would have to pay winter storage on top of that.

Didn't know that about winterizing. That's a real bonus! Sounds like rack storage will save $$$ in the long run.

 

[Todd320]

Fortunately here rack storage is only $1.00 more per foot than a slip. Prices start at about $8 a foot. Have heard some say that when stored you don't need to wash it. I thought a boat needed a thorough washing after a day on salt water.

Yes, always rinse the boat off after boating in salt. Most dry storage facilities will rinse after pulling it out, but I rinse the top off while in the water.

 

[SeaRide]

I have used boatel/drystacks and also had a covered slip with a lift. If your wet slips are covered, the choice would be easy for me - covered slip w/lift. As others have mentioned you are not restricted to marina operation hours. So, you can use your boat, flush the engine, lift it and clean it without restrictions. Plus you can socialize with your neighbors.

If you decide to dry stack, have a good look at the condition of marina bull’s lifting arms. Our marina’s Bull was in good shape. However I still had a few marks left on the hull from lifting the boat and placing it in the stack. They also chipped the chine once. Also, the boat stayed much cleaner in the slip as I didn’t have to clean diesel exhaust sut and rubber from the top sides.

Good luck.

 

[JimT]

I prefer wet slipping. I spend a lot of time on my boat at the dock. When we dry stored the boat was dropped and we were rushed to get off the dock. Same thing when returning. The dock hands were moving our boat around to get pulled while we were rushing to get our gear off and the cover on.

 

[SeaRide]

Jim is right on the money with we have to get your boat lifted out of the water asap. You’ll also want to check on the availability of wash racks. Will availability be a problem if they only have one or two. Also if you are trying to beat a thunderstorm back to the dock, so is everyone else. So, you may be waiting in the rain waiting for space at the dry stack dock. This is not a problem with your own slip.

 

[JVM225]

You’ll probably spend a lot more time on your boat in a wet slip.

 

[Sarah]

I have used boatel/drystacks and also had a covered slip with a lift. If your wet slips are covered, the choice would be easy for me - covered slip w/lift. As others have mentioned you are not restricted to marina operation hours. So, you can use your boat, flush the engine, lift it and clean it without restrictions. Plus you can socialize with your neighbors.

If you decide to dry stack, have a good look at the condition of marina bull’s lifting arms. Our marina’s Bull was in good shape. However I still had a few marks left on the hull from lifting the boat and placing it in the stack. They also chipped the chine once. Also, the boat stayed much cleaner in the slip as I didn’t have to clean diesel exhaust sut and rubber from the top sides.

Good luck.

Thanks for the advice. Found out the the only slips with lifts were too expensive and not a good location. So I guess at the boatels they only lift during hours listed, which is generally 8-5. That's not going to work lol! Do some offer options of pulling you the day before you plan to use the boat? I know I can call around but thought I'd ask. If I go that route, I'll definitely look at the arms.

 

[Sarah]

Jim is right on the money with we have to get your boat lifted out of the water asap. You’ll also want to check on the availability of wash racks. Will availability be a problem if they only have one or two. Also if you are trying to beat a thunderstorm back to the dock, so is everyone else. So, you may be waiting in the rain waiting for space at the dry stack dock. This is not a problem with your own slip.

I guess if you're planning on washing, you'll have to be sure to be back to get that done along with everyone else before closing. Doesn't sound like much fun!

 

[Sarah]

I prefer wet slipping. I spend a lot of time on my boat at the dock. When we dry stored the boat was dropped and we were rushed to get off the dock. Same thing when returning. The dock hands were moving our boat around to get pulled while we were rushing to get our gear off and the cover on.

For a newbie boater that sounds like a nightmare!

 

[Sarah]

You’ll probably spend a lot more time on your boat in a wet slip.

I hope to go out one or two evenings a week. Sunday's we'll be out super early to fish and then hoped to enjoy it well into the evening. And then an overnight weekend trip once a month (or more) So also with boatels I wondered where I'd be able to flush the engine. And how do you flush in a slip? Haven't been able to find much info on that. The pricey storage places here will flush and wash but I think I'd rather wash down my own boat in a slip.

 

[JVM225]

You could always have a flush system installed that would allow you to flush at the dock.