Dry stack vs In water

F

FYN409

New Member
Jul 16, 2007
222
West Michigan
Boat Info
88 Sorrento 25 Sundancer 26

330 HP 7.4 L Mercrusier
Engines
7.4L 330 HP
This past season we spent some time in a rental slip and we really enjoyed it. Looking ahead to the 2009 season we are considering our options. One thing we are looking at is dry stack. A couple of marinas we have spoken to state there is most always slips available to rent for the weekend, and if we dry stack they offer a decent discount to rent the slips. The other option is normal season rental of a slip. Kind of looking for the pro's and con's of each.

Some of the pros that I see for the dry stack is it is cheaper for the season, and boat is out of the water when not is use (easier on the boat equipment as it is also stored indoors). Some of the disadvantages are different slips each time we are out there (no common setup, no "personal" storage). I have seen some accidents that have happened to dry stack boats with taking them in and out.

I like the idea of having the same slip for the season. We can setup lines the way we want, we would have a option for a dock box for storage, ect. While we won't be on the boat every weekend, we hope to spend several weekends a month on it.

So please help me out with some recommendations, experiences, ect.

FYI the price for dry stack is about $1500 for the season, and a slip rental in the same area is around $2600-$3000 for my size boat.

Thanks,
Ryan
 
If I understood you correctly, you are saying that you would not only use the boat most weekends (3 out of 4 each month)- but you would be staying aboard.

If that's the case, it's a no-brainer. Why pay for dry stack AND a wet slip? Get the seasonal wet slip. Dry stack isn't for people who liveaboard on weekends.
 
Our marina has several piers, and even though we dry stack we are able to stay on board all weekend tied up to one of the piers at no charge. Seems like I'm getting a pretty sweet deal...

Michael
 
I dry-stack at our marina and am very happy. I think this is due to a large part on the quality of the crew involved - very high (Smith Boys, Tonawanda, NY) Usually, from the time I show up at the the dock, I am in the water within 15 minutes. They also typically put the boat back on the shelf within the same amount of time. I can also stay in a transient slip without any problem. If you want to sit on the boat on a hot day and watch the scenery at the marina you can also hook up in a transient slip. I think - again - because of the quality of the crew its a great experience and i would highly recommend it (would probably have second thoughts if they seemed like knuckleheads).
 
I agree with the above post, it is a no-brainer rent a slip and be done with it. I dry stacked last year and the fork lift kept marking up my boat. The rental slips are never guarenteed especially on holiday weekends. I also enjoy the "dock life" that involves boating neighbors. I would never dry stack again!
 
Depends on the drystack setup. If it is covered then the UV wear and tear you are going to save is worth it to me. I called one hour prior to arrival and the boat was ready to go. BTDT, loved it. If it is open then you are not really saving much shy of bottom paint.
 
Goltta go with the 'dock life' as well. We have progressed from transient slipping to seasonaly and now have a 'permanent' slip near our friends and on what we consider a fun dock. Makes the little bit of extra $ worth it having a place of our own.
 
One of the neat things about this site is seeing how different boating is in different parts of the country, or the world, for that matter. If you use your boat during the "season", then I would leave it in the slip. It is nice having the lines on and off quickly, and shorepower convenient. In the South, covered slips are the norm, except, of course, for the ragboats. Florida is the exception, and notably, a big one. Saying that, my boat stays in the water year round, under cover. If my boat had no bottom paint, a lift would be in order.
 
Great information so far, and keep it comming. This is why I posted, I am kind of torn. I like the idea of dock life, but also like the idea of the boat being stored inside when I am not using it (this dry stack is all indoors). Up to this point I have been a trailer boater, so dry stack is like a "step up" from what we do now. But again I am also leaning toward just renting a slip for the season........

-Ryan
 
Geez. . after seeing the condition of my Outdrives a weekago. . . I would say "dry stack". . . but only if a weekend slip was readily available upon demand.
 
We have dry stacked for 5 years. I like the fact that the boat is under cover and out of the water. On my 240, the drive looked brand new after 4 years, and there was no UV degradation on any part of the boat.

There are some downsides though. There is a lot of soot floating around the building from the lift and it gets everywhere. Also, if there is someone above you, the possiblity of something leaking on your boat always exists.

If slips on our lake sold for less than $30K, I would look at that as an option. Our dry stack facility is 50 yards from our condo, so convenience is a factor too.

If you choose go the dry stack route, I suggest you get to know the crew very well. Beer and tips help too. We go out of our way to be nice to the guys at our marina and it pays big dividends. They take extra care when handling our boat, and they always make sure there is a slip for us at the dry stack's courtesy dock when we come in from a day on the lake.
 
majoma said:
Tim,
Are you tipping the guy every time you go in and out?
Click to expand...

No. Just occasionally when they go above and beyond.

More importantly, we take the time to get to know the guys and BS with them. Too many people treat them like the hired help and dismiss them. They forget that these are the guys that handle their boat all the time and it's a lot easier to blow off dinging the boat owned by some guy that's an A hole.

I just started tipping them last year, because they work their asses off and me being nice doesn't pay the bills. I'll drop $200 a season (not even a tank of gas).
 
Highslice makes a good point.

I also tip the guys and joke with them as it differentiates you from guy that views them as just the "help". Besides being the right thing to do anyway, this has paid off as they have been there above and beyond when I have needed assistance (this is my first year of boating). Most tipping occurs early in the season - by the later times they refuse to take it. (I still try anyway).

My dry slip also happens to be on the top shelf so I get no seepage from other boats (though its a bit disconcerting the first few times you see your boat suspended 30 feet in the air by a pair of tongs). Facility is enclosed so its also out of the weather.
 
The new info is makes it a tough one. I had my 2465 Regal in dry stack and had a slip for weekends. My cost for both would have been far cheaper than what yours would be at full retail. However, because they had a slip and a stack rented, they cut me a decent break. Something to consider.

Another thing is how much are you really going to use the boat during the week. I seldom did even when gas was cheaper. Something else to consider is tieing up along side an outboard boat. With Saint Max, If I go to a friends marina, I tie up outboard of him and plug in to the marina power. The marina is fine with it. Plus I am only paying for power for the weekend and not for a slip that will not be on his dock anyhow.

I have had two boats in fully enclosed facilities. Nothing beats them. They ended up going for sale in showroom condiditon. Neither marina had any problem with me tying up to the fuel dock for the night.
 
Another question, how may of you have had their boats damaged by an in/out service? I have seen a couple of boats lose their windshields, and even one that was dropped off the forks of the lift (these were not at the marina I am looking to use).

Also who is typically responsible if they damage your boat? I know that will be a question for my insurance company, but just wondering what some of you may have run into.

Thanks,
Ryan
 
I haven't had any damage. I have seen some boats with a little dock rash, but nothing major. The liability is yours, check with your insurance agent. My policy covers "stupid": run aground, hit another boat, lift operator drops the boat etc. Usually the marina will make you sign an agreement that they aren't liable regardless of their negligence. It wouldn't hold up in court if they were indeed negligent, but it makes them feel better.
 
We do dry stack, but we are in salt water. Paying for the slip, bottom paint and monthly barnacle scraping is way more pricey. Not to mention the faster corrosion of everything. It's worked out well for us. Our marina has slips available if you want to spend the night. Good luck with your decision!
 
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