On-Land, In Water or Boatel Storage: What's Best for Your Boat?

Jonathan Timianko

— 3 min read
On-Land, In Water or Boatel Storage: What's Best for Your Boat?

Are you searching for the best storage options for your boat? Whether you own a cruiser, ponton, sailboat, cuddy cabin or even a luxury yacht, storage plays a huge factor in boat ownership. Fortunately, you have a boatload (pun intended) of options. Let’s take a look. 

On Land Boat Storage

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Photo: Sandy Allen

Land-based boat storage ranges from a marina’s boatyard to your driveway or garage.

Pros

  • Close by to keep an eye on it (less danger of theft)
  • Good for small boats
  • Convenient for repairs, cleaning and seasonal maintenance
  • Free if kept in your driveway or backyard and less expensive than in-water storage at a marina
  • HOAs may not allow a boat to be kept in the driveway

Cons

  • The boat must be trailered to the water and then returned at the end of the day
  • If kept at a marina, you’re bound by its hours
  • Takes up space in your driveway or backyard

In-Water Boat Storage

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Photo: Sandy Allen


In-Water boat storage is at a boat slip rental or a dock with mooring whips, a sling or a lift. If you’re really lucky, you can find covered boat storage. This is a wonderful arrangement for liveaboard boaters.

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Photo: Sandy Allen

Pros

  • Convenient
  • Easy to hop on and head out for the day – Simply toss your stuff on and be on your way
  • Easy at the end of the day when you’re tired – Grab your stuff, close up the boat and hop off
  • Not a lot of work involved (such as trailering to a storage location)
  • Good for large boats
  • May have water and electrical hookups, restrooms, pools and other amenities

Cons

  • Usually more expensive
  • More weather worries such as hurricanes, wind and currents
  • More prone to visits from pesky critters and marine animals as well as barnacles and algae
  • Bound by the marina’s hours

Boatel Storage

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Photo: Hernando Beach Marina (Facebook)

Also known as a high and dry, this hotel for boats is a great way to keep your boat protected out of the water. Some are fully indoors, and some are covered with open sides. Boats are stacked on multiple levels.

Pros

  • Good option if you don’t use the boat much
  • No need for a trailer
  • Call ahead and they can have it ready and waiting in the water (likewise, staff can put it away when you’re done)
  • It’s out of the sun and harsh rays of the summer and the snow, ice and wind of winter
  • On-site security
  • Less expensive than a marina

Cons

  • Not as convenient to access on the spur of the moment 

Private Boat Storage

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Photo: Sandy Allen

Another option for boat storage is going with a private boat slip rental. You can also find private boat lifts for rent and private boat docks for rent. This is when someone (who’s lucky enough to live on a lake, river or bay or own property on the water) rents out their dock. 

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Photo: Sandy Allen

This is an excellent arrangement for traveling boaters, such as an extended ICW excursion, or those who want a short lease (which sometimes isn’t available with the typical marina). It’s also possible to do a longer lease or make customized arrangements not available with a commercial marina or boatel. You can find private boat slips for rent all over Florida, around the country and even in Alaska. Private boat slip rentals can also offer perks like swimming pool use, electric hookup and late/early access.

Whether you choose in-water, on land or a private boat dock rental, we hope you’ve gathered some advice to help with selecting storage for your boat.

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