Dry Dock Storage... Good or Bad?

[boatingnewbie]

I recently posted a question about whether it's bad to leave a boat in the water year-round. Now I'll ask the flip-side to that question...

I see that "Dry Dock Storage" is becoming a very popular trend in the boating industry. A couple of big ones have been recently built in South Florida...

Basically large warehouses next to the water that remove/drop-in boats to/from the water with a huge fork lift. When pulling the boat out of the water they are placed inside the warehouse on a rack or shelf.

This is mostly for small power boats under 35 feet. But I'm wondering... is this actually a good thing? It 'seems' like it would be. As long as the fork lift machine isn't damaging the hull during its transport to/from the water.

All of those facilities (indoor) are hurricane-proof which is nice. It seems like this Dry Dock Storage trend is only going to grow.

[Suijin]

It’s called “boatel” and it’s popular because you don’t have to paint your bottom and the boat is covered and protected when not in use.

Boats that size are stiff enough that there’s no damage, and provided the lift operator knows what they are doing (and I assume doing it all day long they are) there’s minimal risk.

[john61ct]

Hurricane-proof?

So reinforced concrete underground bunkers?

[boatingnewbie]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Hurricane-proof?

So reinforced concrete underground bunkers?

Yes, lined with 4-feet of layered steel.

[SV Bacchus]

Originally Posted by boatingnewbie

All of those facilities (indoor) are hurricane-proof which is nice.

Referring back to another thread presently running concerning marinas and hurricanes, I wonder if these people make you take your boat out of the facility for named storms?

I used to have a 30' twin outboard power boat in a High/Dry storage facility near St. Petersburg. When I looked closely at the building I quickly determined I wouldn't have left my boat there during a Cane. I'm sure the newer ones are much nicer.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by john61ct

Hurricane-proof?

So reinforced concrete underground bunkers?

No, they are not hurricane proof.

Tons of boats were destroyed during Ivan in Pensacola in these places in the September 2004 Cat 3/4 Storm Ivan. (the eye came directly in Pensacola Pass) But then again, Ivan was a tough one. it took out many sections of the I-10 bridge (surge was 12'-18' depending) It beat on us for 10-12 hours

During that hurricane, I hit the floor several times due to instant pressure changes that I felt as if I was being thrust up a 6,000' - 8,000' mountain in seconds. My guess was tornadoes passing over since my lady friends house where I was staying was on the downside of a hill

https://www.google.com/search?q=pens...=1536873300267

https://www.google.com/search?biw=15...=1536873694786

The other picture is of Sailboats left over after the floating dock on the Navy Base was lifted over it's pilings. I lived about 1500 yards from there until 2 years before the storm

Speaking of Hurricanes, things are getting interesting near Cape Lookout where I've fished many times catching mostly sharks not being from the area

https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_pa...?station=clkn7

[AKA-None]

Dry storage is not a dry dock. One is a shoe rack for boats the other is for lifting ships out of the water

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by thomm225

No, they are not hurricane proof

Yes that was my point, just responding to

Originally Posted by boatingnewbie

All of those facilities (indoor) are hurricane-proof which is nice.

As maybe you intended as well, but you quoted me as if it was my claim.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by boatingnewbie

This is mostly for small power boats under 35 feet. But I'm wondering... is this actually a good thing? It 'seems' like it would be. As long as the fork lift machine isn't damaging the hull during its transport to/from the water.

The thing with these is always the quality of the service that goes with them. Check the hours the service is available. Check the lead time they require, especially during peak periods. Check the duration of the window they'll give you to pick up your boat. Find out what their policy is on overnight docking if you drop off after they've gone home.


The marina where I have my slip also offers dry stack storage. Knowing them and knowing that their dry stack facility is relatively small, I believe that the service is probably fantastic.


Now, the places that have 1000 boats and two forklifts, getting your boat on the 4th of July is going to be a problem.

All of those facilities (indoor) are hurricane-proof which is nice. It seems like this Dry Dock Storage trend is only going to grow.

The one here is hurricane proof by virtue of being 700 miles inland. I am skeptical whether any of the ones within convenient walking distance of a slip on an ocean bay are hurricane proof.