Florida Marina Slip and Dry Storage Cost Calculator

Storage is often the largest yearly cost of owning a boat in Florida, and prices swing widely by coast and by type of storage. Most marinas charge per foot of boat length per month. Choose your region, storage type and length to get an estimated range.

How marinas price storage

Most Florida marinas price slips per foot of length overall (LOA) per month, sometimes with a minimum length. Many measure the boat including bow pulpits, swim platforms, outboard brackets and engines, so the billed length can be longer than the advertised length. Ask how they measure. Rates usually drop for longer commitments: daily and weekly transient rates are highest, then monthly, then seasonal or annual leases.

Common add-ons include:

• Electric: metered or flat monthly fee, often by shore power amperage.
• Water and pump-out: sometimes included, sometimes extra.
• Liveaboard fees: if allowed at all.
• Taxes: Florida sales tax generally applies to marina dockage and storage rentals, along with any local surtax. Ask whether quotes include tax.
• Insurance requirements: proof of liability coverage, sometimes naming the marina.
• Hurricane fees or haul-out requirements.

Wet slips

A wet slip keeps the boat in the water, ready to go. It is the most convenient option and the only option for boats too large for dry stack. Costs include slip rent plus bottom paint, diver cleaning and more corrosion maintenance. In Southeast Florida and the Keys, demand for slips is high and waitlists are common at popular marinas. Waterfront redevelopment in some areas has also reduced the number of slips. Private docks rented from homeowners can be cheaper, but check local rules, insurance and access.

Dry stack storage

Dry stack (rack storage) keeps boats on multi-level racks inside a building or under a canopy. You call ahead, the marina launches the boat with a forklift and stores it when you return. Advantages include little or no hull growth, less sun exposure under cover, and often a wash-down and engine flush included. Limits include forklift capacity, boat length and height, launch hours, and limited access during storms or busy weekends. Dry stack is popular for center consoles, bay boats and deck boats. Ask about launch hours, how many launches are included, whether you must notify in advance, and what happens when a hurricane approaches.

Outdoor yard storage

Outdoor storage lots charge much less and suit trailerable boats. The boat sits in the sun, so a good cover and regular checks matter. Security, lighting and access hours vary. Some lots are in flood-prone areas; ask about storm procedures.

Keeping the boat at home

If you have room and your HOA, city or county allows it, keeping the boat on its trailer at home is usually the cheapest option. You will pay ramp fees and spend more time towing, launching and washing down. Check deed restrictions and HOA rules carefully; many Florida communities restrict visible boat storage. See boat trailer costs and ramp fees by region.

Regional differences

Southeast Florida (Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade): the highest-priced region in our model, with dense population, high boat values, strong demand and limited waterfront. Dry stack waitlists are common in season.

Florida Keys: limited marina capacity, high demand from visitors, and significant storm exposure. Many marinas are small and family-run, with wide price variation.

Southwest Florida (Sarasota to Naples): strong seasonal demand from winter residents and some marinas still rebuilding after recent hurricanes. Prices are often high in Naples and Marco Island.

Tampa Bay: a large boating population and many public ramps help keep prices moderate compared with South Florida.

Northeast Florida (Jacksonville to Daytona): lower costs on average, with the St. Johns River and Intracoastal Waterway providing many options.

Panhandle: lower costs in many areas, but popular destinations like Destin can be pricey in season.

These are general patterns and our estimates; individual marinas vary greatly. See our regional guides for details.

Contracts and fine print

Read the storage agreement carefully. Look for:

• Term, renewal and cancellation terms
• How rates can change
• Insurance requirements and liability limits
• Rules for outside contractors working on your boat
• Hurricane procedures, mandatory evacuation or haul-out requirements and fees
• Rules on liveaboards, guests, fueling and maintenance
• Late fees and lien rights for unpaid storage

Florida law allows marinas to assert liens for unpaid storage, so keep payments current.

Hurricane season rules

Many Florida marinas have hurricane policies that require boats to leave the marina, be hauled out or be secured to specific standards when a hurricane watch or warning is issued. Some dry stack facilities keep boats on racks, while others may require removal or move boats to ground level. Ask before signing. See hurricane plans and haul-out.

Saving on storage

• Consider dry stack for smaller boats to save on bottom maintenance.
• Look at marinas slightly inland or up rivers, which can be cheaper and more protected.
• Sign longer leases for lower monthly rates.
• Join waitlists early at preferred marinas.
• Consider a lift at a rental property or private dock where allowed.

Frequently asked questions

How long are dry stack waitlists?

They vary widely by marina and season. Popular South Florida marinas can have long waits; call marinas directly.

Is dry stack cheaper than a wet slip?

Often, though not always. When you add bottom paint and cleaning savings, dry stack can be cheaper overall for boats that fit.

Do marinas charge by boat length or slip length?

Policies vary. Some charge by boat length, others by slip length, whichever is greater. Ask before signing.

Can I do my own maintenance at a marina?

Many marinas restrict outside contractors and owner work. Read the rules before you sign.

Are transient slips priced differently?

Yes. Transient, or short-stay, slips are usually priced per foot per night and cost much more per day than monthly rates. Popular destinations raise transient rates on holidays and during events. If you cruise around Florida, budget transient nights separately.

What does "liveaboard" mean for pricing?

Living aboard means using the boat as a residence. Many Florida marinas prohibit it or limit it to a few slips with additional monthly fees and requirements for pump-outs and insurance. Some municipalities also regulate it.

Questions to ask before signing

• How do you measure length, and is there a minimum charge?
• What is included: electric, water, Wi-Fi, pump-out, parking, wash-down?
• Are taxes included in the quoted rate?
• For dry stack: what are launch hours, notice requirements and the maximum boat size and weight?
• How many launches are included, and are there limits on weekends?
• What is the hurricane policy, and is there a fee?
• What insurance limits do you require?
• Can my own mechanic or detailer work on the boat here?
• What happens if I sell the boat mid-lease?

A worked example

Take a 24-foot center console in Tampa Bay. At our estimated wet-slip range of $15 to $30 per foot per month, a slip runs roughly $360 to $720 a month. Dry stack at 70 to 100 percent of that suggests about $250 to $720 a month, but it eliminates most bottom paint and diver costs. Outdoor yard storage might run about $55 to $215 a month. Moving the same boat to Southeast Florida raises every number significantly. These are estimates; the only reliable figures come from marina rate sheets and conversations with the dockmaster.

Hidden costs of each option

Each storage choice shifts costs elsewhere. Wet slips add bottom paint, diver cleaning, anodes and more corrosion care. Dry stack can add fuel requirements (some facilities require you to buy fuel on site), launch fees and wait times on busy days. Yard and home storage add trailer maintenance, ramp fees and wash-down time, and leave the boat exposed to sun. Add those costs to the storage price before comparing.