Dry dock or slip?

T

TBird

New Member
Apr 28, 2009
65
Newport Beach, CA
Boat Info
2007 Sundancer 340
Engines
8.1 Merc
After having indentified the boat (a 2007 340DA), I now need to find somewhere to dock it. Needless to say, slip fees in SoCal are expensive. I can dry dock the boat for $20/ft/mo or put it in the water for $26/ft/mo.

Is there a significant maintenance advantage to dry docking? Thanks.
 
Typically, there is a maintenance advantage to dry docking - especially in salt water.

Having said that, I think most will state that the reason we have boats is to enjoy them anytime we want. Having the boat in the water and ready to go is by far the most convenient.
 
Can't imagine having a 340DA sitting on the hard waiting to be launched each time you want to go out. But, since it's going to be a salty boat, it definately will save you lots of $'s in maintenance and pro long the life of the boat.
 
Your loaded for bear, its the big holiday weekend, you arive at you marina only to be told; "its not in yet, we're slammed and we'll try to get you wet within the next few hours. So now you sit n wait in the hot holiday sun :smt089

But the boat looks great:smt038
 
I dry stack with a marina that has temp. wet slips available if I want to have the boat in the water ready to go or just want to hang out dockside over the weekend on the boat. Maybe worth looking into.
 
There are pros and cons to each. Everyone is right, the boat will last longer and the maintenance will definitely be cheaper! Then again, time is money and waiting inline to have your boat splashed time wasted. There are times I have a crappy day at work and heading to the marina for a little spin before I get home clears my mind! I couldn't do that if I dry docked...then again my OD might fall off long before yours! :grin:

Look into all the options, ask members at your marina what they think, then make a decision.

Good luck and enjoy your summer!
 
Do you use the boat a lot? Do you have kids? Do you use this boat as your yearly vacation? If yes to any of these questions... Get the Slip!
 
If you don't mind the extra cost of salt water, I'd slip it. Much easier to go out on the spur of the moment.:grin:
 
Thanks all--great advice. I will probably go with a slip for at least most of the year. I may take it out for the off-months and use that time for maintenance. Does anyone take that approach?
 
That and you get to know the folks in the other slips around you. Good for fun times and someone to help keep an eye out for your boat. I noticed a my slip neighbor had the bilge pumps running more often that expected. Turned out he had a seawater line about to fail. Next season he noticed mine running, turned out my hot water tank had developed a split. Good to have friends looking out for each other. That and we all get together during the off-season now too. My wife would think I was nuts if I suggested losing that to save $6/ft. Yeah, it's a measurable amount of money, but it's a bit crazy to be penny-pinching when you've already decided to hemorrhage money owning a boat anyway.
 
A few key factors:

The 34' -> I/O's or inboards? Most of the maintenance headaches are I/O engine specific.

What is the procedure for launching? Many places can be "superfast" with launching. Many have call ahead launching.

Also. . .you want access to transient slips on the weekend.
 
Why not the best of both worlds...... A slip with a boat lift! The only way to go.......
 
2lkmead said:
Why not the best of both worlds...... A slip with a boat lift! The only way to go.......
Click to expand...

This was actually the suggestion from the guy that did my survey today. He likes the devices that lift the boat of out the water while it's in its slip. He also suggested I think about getting a trailer and haul it out for a few months and fresh water flush it. I will check out the trailer forum to see what I might be getting into with trailering a 340.
 
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