The ideal boat slip size will be longer than your boat, have enough width to make tying down your boat a breeze, with some room to handle weather related movement, and a depth with at least a foot of water below your draft to avoid grounding or kicking up earth. If you are looking for a slip on the southwest side of Florida, you might need to be more flexible than the ideal fit.
After you decide on the location that you want to cruise the waterways from, you will need to locate a boat slip, dock, or Marina to park your boat. I’ve helped many people buy and sell boat slips. There are important considerations including whether your boat will fit in the slip. [If you're looking to sell your boat slip, Call Scott.
Scott: 941-882-5494 Ext 701]
- BOAT LENGTH
- BOAT WIDTH (BEAM)
- DRAFT / WATER DEPTH
- DOCK LINE LENGTH
- BUYING A BOAT SLIP
- BUYING AND SELLING SOLUTIONS
BOAT SIZE MEASUREMENTS:
BOAT LENGTH:
Measure the overall length of your boat, including any extensions or attachments (dive board etc.).
The ideal fit for a boat is within the slip's boundaries, without extending beyond the pilings. In the real world, it’s often hard to avoid.
If your boat sticks out too far past the pilings, you risk obstructing other boaters.
Some slips are built at the end of a canal within a T shape. If your slip is not directly on the canal part of the T, you will have either a seawall, rip-rap, or other slips on the opposite side.
If your boat is too long for the slip, you can have issues maneuvering in and out of the slip and you may obstruct other boaters.
A key question is how much room do you have to maneuver in and out of the slip? If there are other boats the same length as yours, that is a good indication that you have sufficient space.
If you are looking to buy, sell, or have questions about Boat Slips, Docks, or Marinas, call Scott for useful solutions:
941-882-5494 Ext 701
BOAT BEAM:
The beam (width) of your boat is another important measurement. It is the measurement across the widest part of the boat's hull. Usually at its broadest section,
which is often somewhere toward the middle of the boat.
You are going to want to make sure that the boat slip is wide enough to accommodate the beam of your boat comfortably. You don’t want to squeeze into your new slip. You want a little slack.
I rented a slip to a boater on behalf of the owner of the boat slip. The guy who rented the slip (seasonally on an annual basis) told me that he has a very tight fit but loves the location. He did not care that the fit was tight.
If you’re buying the slip, you might care more about the width than someone renting short term.
DRAFT / WATER DEPTH:
What is the water depth of the boat slip?
While selling a slip, I used a marked stick to approximate the depth of the water for a potential buyer. Water depth information is available online, but it is not always current, it does change, and it is seasonal.
You need sufficient depth to accommodate the draft of your boat. There should be enough clearance under the boat, including anything that extends below the hull, to avoid kicking up the ground surface or damaging
the hull.
DOCK LINE LENGTH:
The length of your dock lines is also a factor to consider. Dock lines are used to secure your boat to the slip. Ensure that the slip is long enough to accommodate the length of your boat plus the additional length
required for attaching the dock lines securely.
There are agents who will correctly market your boat slip. We are one of those agencies that will put our time and money into marketing your properties
(House, Acreage, Lots, Residential or Commercial).
If you're ready to sell, call Scott for full service marketing info: 941-882-5494 Ext 701
BUYING A BOAT SLIP:
PRIVATE BOAT SLIP COMMUNITIES:
Some slips are owned by individuals and can be bought and sold without restrictions.
There are locations outside of Marinas where you can buy a boat slip that are not part of an association and do not have official regulations. Some slips have lifts, and some don’t.
If you need to install a lift, you will often need a wider slip than what is readily available for sale.
When it comes to the location of a slip on a T canal, which are usually in a private boat slip community, the slips closest to the canal will usually sell for more money.
Depending on the layout, a corner slip may be tricky due to the potential for obstruction issues.
Buying a bigger slip than needed can make tying down the boat more difficult. Being able to detach and secure lines when going out for the
day and reattaching them when you return can become a royal pain if the slip is too wide for your boat. It's something to be aware of.
MARINAS:
If you are buying a slip in a Marina, the seller should supply you with a written copy of any regulations. If not and if you have questions about the regulations, make sure to speak with the Marina’s staff, Dockmaster, or your real estate agent.
Marinas in Florida offer docking, mooring, and other services. They typically rent docks, piers, or slips where boats can be safely
parked or stored on a short-term or annual basis. Many have dry storage available for rent.
Most Marinas have refueling available on-site, maintenance, and repair services, showers, restrooms, restaurants, and supplies for boaters.
For any type of property including Lots for Docks and boat slips, knowing the data for the area you're interested in can be the difference between a buyer paying the right price, or a seller sitting unsold for endless months vs getting it sold fast. (We can help - Call Scott)
BUYING AND SELLING SOLUTIONS
As a buyer, there are approaches in addition to basic searches that can give you an edge.
As a seller, you need to understand how your property (house, Lots, acreage, boat slips etc.) fits in the market along with what's really
going on in your area so that you can maximize your return.
If you want to learn tactics that help you buy or sell to improve your price, call Scott to discuss how we can help you.
Phone: 941-882-5494 Ext 701