Buying my first boat... question about slips

I am in the process of purchasing my first boat and i have decided to go the route of renting a slip at a local lake.
The covered slip is $199 and an open slip is $150.
Seems a small fee to keep my boat protected from the sun. Any opinions?

Thanks

Re: Buying my first boat... question about slips

Sounds about right cost wise. Covered is always nice, but I stay on mine all the time and enjoy seeing the stars at night.

Re: Buying my first boat... question about slips

A covered slip will add years to the life of your boat, and your cover. I say definitely go for it!

Re: Buying my first boat... question about slips

Thank you. I am finding that i need someone's advice on every decision through this process. Not like buying your first car..... so many questions.

Thanks again.

Re: Buying my first boat... question about slips

Covered saves your own cover taking the impact of the weather. Wish they were available here.....and at that price !!!

Re: Buying my first boat... question about slips

$480/year sounds like a lot for "sun protection." I don't know what the snow issues are there.
Some boats are made so they don't need sun protection; consider one in your buying decision. And even with a roof you get blowing water and dirt, so you will need to clean it (perhaps more--a thinderstorm is agreat carwash for my boat!) or cover it.
It's really the same choice as keeping a car in a garage, or paying extra for a covered parking space at work (would you pay $480/year more for one for your car?).
So while obviously a covered slipped boat will hold its "newness" better, it's a cost/benefits question.

Re: Buying my first boat... question about slips

Home Cookin' said:

$480/year sounds like a lot for "sun protection." I don't know what the snow issues are there.

Click to expand...

Since I'm assuming those slip charges were per month, very few people are lucky enough to be in an area with a 12 month usable season. (given the username of pennstate and that its on a lake, yep, probably not 12 months)

So in reality it might be only 5 months or so, making the difference quite a bit less. In the winter you wouldn't have it in the covered slip anyway, so snow doesn't apply.

Re: Buying my first boat... question about slips

right--location location location. Also whether the marina has monthly rental, annual or minimums. Some charge year round because they can; some you have to keep year round or lose your spot!

Re: Buying my first boat... question about slips

Covered slips are nice. If you come in during a storm you can wait it out or be in the dry while covering the boat (it's still a good idea -imho -to put on a cover on in a slip...Keeps prying eyes off your boat's contents, helps hold down on cleaning, helps avoid sun fading, ect...).

You can clean your boat (eat lunch, drink beer, wait on fiends, ect.) on a sunny day without roasting yourself.

If a duck flies over your slip and feels the call of nature, your cover (or boat interior) doesn't get covered in duck feces...

I have an open slip (and love it, but) I've regretted NOT getting a covered slip (first hand) for the above reasons.