Dry Dock vs Wet Slip

[Hampton]

DRY SLIP - PERIOD

It appears that none of the wet slippers have had dry storage. I've had both.

I call on my way to the boat and tell them if I want ice, beer, soda, etc, and it's sitting there waiting for me ready to go. They'll even fill the gas tank and pump the head. I jump on, start the engines, and the dock guys untie me. (My wife doesn't need to help dock) When I return, they catch my lines, HOSE HER DOWN and put her up. If they're not busy, they help unload and etc. Fortunately, my Marina has extra guest slips that we can use, so I can have them put it in for the weekend if I want to hang out.

PROS
* Elbows, Risers & Manifolds last a lot longer - Mine (on a '04) have barely any rust.
* Bellows last a lot longer
* Thru hole fittings & etc last much longer
* Dock lines & bumpers stay clean and flexable - they last forever
* Hull stays in pristine condition
* If inside storage, Canvas, upholstery, wax lasts forever. No rain. No black streaks. No bird poop. No wind damage.
* Zincs last forever - still have the originals, going to replace them next year
* Bad weather & hurricanes? - I'm inside protected.
* Salt water? Hull is hosed down and Engines are flushed with fresh water.
* Can wax frequently since it's out of the water
* No bottom paint. No scraping off last years paint. No cleaning out fittings, etc.
* No pull-out fees for cleaning / maintenance, etc.
* Dry & less humid - my boat isn't in the water, and the bilge is always dry, and so is the cabin, etc.
* Most marinas have unlimited "splashes" and work racks to do maintenance, waxing, etc. All for no extra charge.
* No need to worry about sinking or serious damage if your zincs, manifolds, through-hulls, bellows, scuppers or other things fail
* Dry-storage boats generally have a better resale value (especially if unpainted)
* Seriously, I could go on and on.

CONS
* If your dry storage doesn't have wet slips, this does suck.

I agree completely. My next boat is staying in the show room. I won't have any wear at all. Sorry for the comletely sarcastic and un-called for reply. You have made several valid arguments for dry storage.

I visit my boat at least 3 days a week. In the winter, I watch sunset almost every day, from our slip, looking over the barrier island. When we got back to the dock today, I fresh water rinsed the engines, rinsed the outside, put the dinghy away, then sat down to brunch with my wife. We visited with friends as they passed our slip. Sometimes I work nights. If I'm going to miss my family anyone, some times I'll head down to the dock after work and watch the stars and the little critters in the water. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, wet slip.

We live in N Fl. I had the bottom paint re-done 2 years ago Jan (2007). Last week, I commissioned my first power-scrubbing (did the rest myself). Though we had the running gear re-done last Jan (2008) along with the zincs, Rob told me that the paint looks great (2.2 years) and the zincs are fine (1.2 years).

You will need to keep on top of it, but it's no problem. Like I've posted here before, our boat can cost up to $235/hour to run it, but costs about $20/hour that we're on it. Them are some good numbers.

 

[NautyDog]

I agree completely. My next boat is staying in the show room.

haha!

There's some truth in that - everyone comments on the condition of my boat - and I don't do any cosmetic work except wax it once a year.

A dry slip isn't very different then keeping it on a trailer or on a lift - except you aren't the one putting it in the water. Also, there's no trailer or lift that you have to purchase and maintain.

FYI - I have BOTH a wet and dry slip

I keep my 21' at the dock at my house, and my 280 is in the dry slip at the marina. So I'm very familiar with both types of slips. I love wet slips, but with a dry slip I can spend more time & money on boating. Ideally, I would love to have a wet and dry slip at the same marina because there are so many advantages to both.

Also, my 280 is in Florida on the gulf. So I have different perspective then somebody who boats on a fresh water northern lake for only 4 months out of the year. There's more potential for damage from salt water, tropical storms, Hurricanes, tides, Florida sun, and strong currents.

 

[keokie]

Nautydog,

Nicely done. Great Points. Convenience of a wet slip is absolutely unmatched. However, a dry stored boat stays nicer.

 

[JeffM]

All of Nautydog's points are good ones, but not all dry-stack facilities are as convenient as Nautydog's. We were in a dry stack for three years, at a facility with no wet slips available. They would not put our boat in the water until we were there, and the forklift hours of operation were rather limiting. There was limited space to tie up after hours, and over the years we found numerous dings and even a couple of large scratches on the boat after leaving her in the water in the evening.

If I were in a facility like Nautydog's I'd certainly use the dry stack!

 

[GOOD FOR NOW]

Well everyone has given me a lot to think about. I can see both sides on the issues. The marina I am thinking about moving too is on the ICW and it is part of a resort. Along with the marina we have full access to the properties water park including a zero entry pool, lazy river, lap pool, tiki bar and weight room. Not to mention the are running a deal where fuel for boats docked at the marina is sold at cost. With a 5 & 9 year old it makes it hard to turn down for the summer. Thanks for all the good advice.

 

[comsnark]

WITHOUT DOUBT. . .consider the marina amenities. I have friends in a nice marina in the Chesepeake (3 hour drive for me!). One weekend when we were down, we spent all of Friday night at the poolside bar and 1/2 of Saturday in the pool. I was frankly SHOCKED we were not underway by noon. The marina simply had everything we needed.

I wish I had a viable drystack option for my boat. I looked seriously at installing a lift a few years ago for many of the maintenance issues noted above-> but it just was cost prohibitive (after considering piles, electrical, and permits).

My view is that a Marina can be really cool. If you are in the right one. A pain if you are in the wrong one. Drystacking / Wet slip can rapidly become a secondary decision.*

*But if I was in FL-Tx area and had to pull the boat for every hurricane, whereas Insurance would cover the boat while in a stack. . .that would really influence the decision.

 

[Bridog]

The marina I am thinking about moving too is on the ICW and it is part of a resort. Along with the marina we have full access to the properties water park including a zero entry pool, lazy river, lap pool, tiki bar and weight room. Not to mention the are running a deal where fuel for boats docked at the marina is sold at cost.

What's to think about? That place sounds like Friggin Wally World. I'm moving!!

 

[Turtlesboat]

me too. Where do we sign up.

 

[sprink56]

Well everyone has given me a lot to think about. I can see both sides on the issues. The marina I am thinking about moving too is on the ICW and it is part of a resort. Along with the marina we have full access to the properties water park including a zero entry pool, lazy river, lap pool, tiki bar and weight room. Not to mention the are running a deal where fuel for boats docked at the marina is sold at cost. With a 5 & 9 year old it makes it hard to turn down for the summer. Thanks for all the good advice.

Sounds good but.....for me good old Orange Beach is too cold in the Winter:thumbsup: I am 1/2 owner in a condo at Phoenix IV in Romar Beach and rent it out in the Summer. I thought about bringing my boat up there in the warmer months but....Freeport and Grand Bahama Island are a lot closer. I like my wet slip at Soveral...my 390 is too big for their fork lift and Logger Head is the only fork operator in town with a fork lift that will handle 8 Tons & up, besides that I don't know of any dry racks that will take a 14' beam.:huh: Guess I'm stuck....

 

[NautyDog]

The marina I am thinking about moving too is on the ICW and it is part of a resort. Along with the marina we have full access to the properties water park including a zero entry pool, lazy river, lap pool, tiki bar and weight room.

Good 4 Now - I'm 2 minutes from Orange Beach (Perdido Key). I'm guessing that you are currently at Sportsman's and you're thinking of moving to the Wharf? Is that right?

http://www.thewharfal.com

I love the Wharf - we're there all the time! It's a great choice! I keep my boat in the dry slip in Perdido Key, and dock it at the wharf for the weekend. That Marina has...

* New state of the art floating dock that can handle hurricane swells.
* An amazing ampitheatre for concerts
* For boats, concerts can be heard free all summer long which are amazing!! (that could be a pro or con). This summer they have Earth/Wind/Fire, Chicago, 311, Wide Spread Panic, Styx, REO, etc. etc.
* Movie Theatres
* Fireworks are fantastic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVYBOui3Udw
* Women love the shopping
* Lots of great restaurants (i.e. Guy Harvey's, Live Bait, etc), ice cream stores, sports bars, etc.
* A Cigar bar/cafe with leather couches, walk in humidor, great selection of beers, etc.
* Lucy Buffett's (Jimmy's sister) restaurant is just a mile away on the ICW
* You can rent/buy a condo right next to your boat for you or guests.
* The water park you mentioned (pool, river, etc) However, you have to walk a few blocks over concrete to get to the pool, tiki bar, etc, and there's no shade (the new palm trees are still too short to provide much shade). But, it's a great little park. They have booked youth groups all summer long at the new convention center, so the water park will be very crowded.
* MarineMax / Sea Ray dealer is onsite.
* Marina has mostly large yachts (45+) on brokerage, but there's a small section of Sea Ray 320's, 340's etc. and those folks are very nice.


The only "bad" thing I can think of is that their rates are super low now, but they will sky rocket once the economy bounces back. Also, you're a little far to the inlet, but it's not too bad.

It's a great choice !!!

 

[capt_jack]

For you guys who wet slip, what do you do about your electronics and other gear when your not on the boat? I always worry someone will go rummaging through my boat while im not there. Do you guys not worry about this? Have you had any problems with missing stuff? I mean afterall the boat is sitting right out in public ready to float away.

 

[sprink56]

For you guys who wet slip, what do you do about your electronics and other gear when your not on the boat? I always worry someone will go rummaging through my boat while im not there. Do you guys not worry about this? Have you had any problems with missing stuff? I mean afterall the boat is sitting right out in public ready to float away.

That's a great question. At my marina we have 24 hr security. All security people are off duty police officers with power of arrest. There have been no issue that I am aware of.

I remove my electronics from the helm and lock in the cabin.

 

[Kurt]

For you guys who wet slip, what do you do about your electronics and other gear when your not on the boat? I always worry someone will go rummaging through my boat while im not there. Do you guys not worry about this? Have you had any problems with missing stuff? I mean afterall the boat is sitting right out in public ready to float away.

I first try not to think about it or I will just worry all the time. We also have 24hr security which would be hard to cover all 500 boats at once so I try not to advertise what I have.

 

[GOOD FOR NOW]

You guessed right Nauty Dog, we have no complaints about Sportsman. With two small children we wanted to try something else for the upcoming summer. We go to The Wharf all the time and with all the amenities we figured why not. I will definetly keep an eye out for you this summer at The Wharf.