subject: Boat Slips - How to Find the Ideal Boat Slip [print this page] Boat Slips - How to Find the Ideal Boat Slip
Looking for a temporary or permanent boat slip to dock your boat? Finding the ideal location with boat slips meeting your boat's unique needs can be challenging, but it does not have to be if you keep the following tips in mind as you search for your next slip:
Know your boat's dimensions - the first step in finding a boat slip is to know all of your boat's measurements, including its width, height and draft. If you are unsure of your boat's measurements, you might end up renting a slip that will not accommodate your boat or is in water too shallow for your sailboat's draft.
Accessibility to the boat slip - another important piece of information, particularly for sailors, is whether the slip provides sufficient access to the water in which you intend to travel. You must know whether there are any fixed bridges or other obstacles that would impede your access to and from the slip. If there are any bridges, research the clearance both at high tide and low tide to make sure your boat's height will allow unrestricted access to your slip. Also, if there are any draw bridges in the area, you need to determine when and how those bridges are opened so that you can navigate to and from your slip.
Marina Slips - if you are searching for a marina slip, there are several factors you will want to consider. For example:
Does the marina slip have a fresh water supply on the dock?
Are there electrical hookups for each slip?
Are liveaboards or transients allowed?
Is there a fuel dock near the boat slip and does it offer the type of fuel required by your boat?
What other amenities are offered at the marina (laundry, internet access, supplies, etc.)
Does the marina provide 24 hour access to your boat slip? What type of security is provided by the marina?
What are the marina's procedures to protect your boat in the event of foul weather? Does the marina offer any type of insurance for both natural disasters and its own negligence?
Dry Docking - if wet slips are difficult to find or too expensive, you may want to consider a dry dock or stacked boat dock storage. Larger marina docks often have dry or stacked boat dock storage. One disadvantage to dry dock storage is that the marina will need to be notified in advance of when you intend to use your boat so that it can be removed from the dry or stacked storage. This is not the ideal situation for those boaters who want to get their boats to sea at a moments notice. However, the cost savings may outweigh the inconvenience associated with dry storage.
Following the above suggestions will take the hassle and stress out of finding the perfect boat slip.
Boat Slips - How to Find the Ideal Boat Slip
By: Jennifer Huff
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