Should I Keep My Boat in Rack Storage or in a Marina?
When you purchase a boat, one of the first decisions you need to make is where to store it when you’re not using it. If your boat is in the 20′-to 40′-range, two options to consider are keeping it in a rack storage facility or renting a wet slip for it in a marina. Knowing the advantages and drawbacks to each will help you to choose the one that suits you best.
Rack Storage
You can find rack storage or “dry stack” facilities for boats in most coastal communities, as well as on larger lakes and other bodies of water where boating is a popular pastime. These large, warehouse-like buildings are filled with vertical stacks of metal racks. The facility is located on or near a boat ramp, and the staff use a large forklift to transport each boat from the water, up the ramp and into the building, then lift it onto its rack.
Pros: The main benefit of rack storage is that it keeps your boat dry and protected from the sun, rain and wind. It will reduce, if not eliminate, marine growth on the hull, corrosion issues with the running gear, and UV deterioration and discoloration of the gelcoat and upholstery. It also can help to preserve your marine electronics.
Another advantage to rack storage is the ability to call ahead and have your boat launched and waiting for you in the water when you arrive. Of course, keeping it in a marina slip is just as efficient. Both make a highly convenient alternative to having to tow your vessel to the boat ramp, launch it, and park the trailer before you can start your boating adventure.
If you have your boat in a region that is prone to named storms and hurricanes, a properly constructed and maintained rack storage facility also can double as its storm shelter. If you are in a hurricane zone, look for a facility rated for at least 130+ mph winds. Also check with management about the facility’s windstorm, flood and fire insurance coverage.
Cons: The biggest disadvantage to rack storage is restricted access to your boat. The facility’s operating hours dictate when you can pick it up and drop it off. You also may find there are times, like weekends and holidays, when the forklift operators get backed up, forcing you to wait for your boat’s launch or retrieval.
The size of the racks the facility has available also may limit your ability to store your boat there. It’s rare to find a dry stack that can accommodate boats over 40’ long, and the wide beam of today’s power catamarans also may pose a problem.
Marina
The traditional boat-storage solution for owners who don’t have their own dock, marinas lease or sell “wet slips” where you can tie up your boat securely, wash it down and plug it into shore power (if available) at the end of a day on the water. Many marinas also offer amenities like fuel, pump-out, dock carts, WiFi, showers, restaurants, ship’s stores and even swimming pools to their patrons.
Pros: When you keep your boat in a marina slip, typically you have 24/7/365 access to it. Marinas with round-the-clock security give their patrons the entry code to the property and/or the gate at the head of their dock, allowing them to enter at will. This is a great option for anglers who want to head out in the early hours of the morning to catch baits or owners who enjoy simply sitting on their boat in the marina in the evening. It also offers more space and time to work on your boat.
The marina lifestyle offers another big advantage to owners. A wet slip not only lets you use your boat like a waterfront condo, but it also gives you access to a ready-made community – the boat owners in neighboring slips. Many owners wind up socializing with their marina dockmates, as well as learning invaluable boating tips from them.
Cons: The biggest disadvantage to keeping your boat in a wet slip 24/7 is the greater likelihood of marine growth on the hull, corrosion, and general wear-and-tear from being exposed to the elements. This can lead to higher service and maintenance expenses for your boat.
Both rack storage facilities and marinas typically charge owners a monthly per-foot fee based on their boat’s LOA. It’s a common misperception that a slip costs more than a rack. That can be the case in heavily populated coastal areas, but in other regions, particularly inland waters, the opposite may be true.
Taking all these things into consideration, the choice between rack storage and a slip in a marina usually comes down to your boating lifestyle. When you are not out on the water using it, would you rather your boat was “out of sight, out of mind” or available to use as a waterfront condo?