Owning a boat is one of the most fulfilling hobbies out there. At the same time, choosing where to store your vessel it is one of the most consequential decisions any boat owner can make. There are a wide array of storage options available on the market today, and each of them have their pros and cons. In addition, the pricing of each option must be weighed against what it offers in order for boaters to know whether they are getting a good value or not.

In popular boating areas, the cost of certain boat storage options can be greatly inflated. We'll walk you through the pros and cons of each option below and highlight how renting a dock, lift, or mooring on PierShare provides incredible value compared to commercial storage options that are usually overpriced and inflexible.

Out-of-Water Boat Storage: The Dry Rack

Dry storage is the best solution for those who use their vessel infrequently. Professional and personal obligations can sometimes get in the way of using your boat, so if you're just looking to take the family between ten and twenty times per year, leaving your craft in a dry storage warehouse like Haulover Marine Center may be a good option.

Pros of Out-of-Water Boat Storage

1. Your boat is protected from the elements. For parts of the country where the temperature drops below freezing, covered dry storage in the winter is almost always the best solution.
2. Save money on maintenance by not having to worry about washing, waxing, bottom painting, etc.
3. Theft protection
4. Save space in your garage or backyard by storing the boat somewhere else.

Cons of Out-of-Water Boat Storage

1. Dry storage warehouses typically require contracts or minimum commitments. For some boaters this may work, but if dry storage is necessary during a storm it may not be feasible.
2. Potential wait lists in high traffic boating communities, such as Fort Lauderdale or Miami. This often leads to prices that can be as expensive or more than a marina.
3. Every time you want to use your boat you have to wait for a dry storage attendant to lower your boat from the rack and place it in the water. This can sometimes take a lot of time
4. No access to shore-power to keep your batteries charged.
5. Only works for power boats 50 feet and under.

As you can see, the cons of indoor dry storage can very quickly outweigh the pros, and is really only meant for the boater who doesn't want to worry about boat maintenance and uses his/her vessel infrequently. For this reason, we consider dry storage impractical for the average boater who uses his boat semi-regularly or more. If you don't use your boat that often and it's small enough, it's best to keep it on a trailer or in a self-storage unit instead.

In-Water Boat Storage: Renting a Private Slip, Lift, or Mooring

Having your boat in the water, while it does cause some additional hull maintenance that doesn't come with dry-storage, is the best all-around solution for most boaters. The first thought that comes to mind when one thinks of outdoor boat storage is a marina, but in many cases marinas can be overcrowded, inflexible, and a waste of money. PierShare allows you to rent a private dock, lift or mooring that is usually 25-50% cheaper than a comparable marina, while also being more flexible since all of our rentals are day-by-day or month-to-month and allow for pro-ration, with no long leases or contacts to contend with.

Renting a private dock space provides you the best of all worlds, and come with very little downside.

Pros Of In-Water Boat Storage

1. A private dock space is almost always cheaper than a marina. And with PierShare's 30 day pro-ration guarantee you're guaranteed to save money over the local marina, especially by renting a mooring buoy.
2. Many PierShare docks offer 24 hour access, and some allow you to perform light boat maintenance. Marinas typically put restrictions on these activities.
3. Private docks are usually located closer to inlets or main channels of water, and you don't have to worry about competing boat traffic when arriving and departing the space.
4. The owner of the home is alway there to keep a watch on your boat.
5. Shower power is almost always available, and private dock owners are usually willing to upgrade power if needed.
6. Private dock owners usually have parking available for one or more cars, so you don't have to worry about finding a space in the marina parking lot.

Cons of In-Water Boat Storage

1. Private docks don't offer typical marina amenities such as swimming pools, boat maintenance services, or a marine store for extra supplies.
2. Marinas usually offer very powerful shore power options that are typically not available in private homes (for boats 100 ft or larger).
   
   

Before PierShare, the choice between out-of-water and in-the-water boat storage was a choice worth considering, primarily due to costs. PierShare bridges the gap between commercial dry storage and the marina by offering a compelling selection of private boat docks, lifts, and moorings that anyone can rent seamlessly through our platform. So what are you waiting for? Check out our great selection of private dock spaces and get your boat out on the water so that you can finally start enjoying it!