What is a boat slip?

The short answer

A boat slip is a parking space for a boat. It’s a stretch of water along a dock, usually between two narrow walkways called finger piers, where you tie up your boat and leave it. Marinas rent slips by the season, by the year, or by the night for visitors.

People sometimes say berth, especially on the coast. On most American lakes, slip is the word you’ll hear.

How a slip is set up

A typical slip is a rectangle of water with a walkway on one or both sides. You tie the boat to cleats on the dock with lines at the bow, stern and sides, and step on and off from the finger pier.

• Finger pier slips sit side by side along a main dock, each with its own narrow walkway.
• Side ties let a boat tie up parallel to the dock, which suits larger boats and visitors.
• Floating docks rise and fall with the water, which matters on lakes where the level changes through the year.

Kinds of slips

• Covered slips have a roof over the boat. They keep off sun, rain, leaves and birds, and usually cost more.
• Uncovered (open) slips have no roof and fit boats of any height, like those with towers or masts.
• Houseboat slips are larger, often with water and more power.
• Transient slips are rented by the night or week to visiting boaters.
• Dry storage isn’t a slip at all: the boat is kept out of the water on a trailer, a rack or a dry stack, and launched when you want it.

Size: length, beam and draft

Every slip has limits. The length limit is measured against the boat’s length overall, from bow to stern. The beam limit is the widest the boat can be. The draft is how deep the boat sits, and the slip needs enough water under it, even late in the season when lake levels drop.

Most marinas assign slips by boat length, and many price them that way too. When you call about a slip, have your boat’s length, beam and draft ready.

What usually comes with a slip

It depends on the marina, but common extras include shore power from a pedestal on the dock (usually 30 or 50 amps), water, a pump-out station, parking, a fuel dock and a store. Some marinas allow boat lifts in the slip.

Renting a slip: what to expect

Most lake marinas rent slips on a seasonal or yearly lease. You’ll usually sign a slip lease, show proof of insurance for the boat, and pay for the season up front or on a schedule the marina sets. Many marinas renew the same tenants every year, so popular lakes often have a waitlist.

Before you sign, ask about the lease dates, what happens at renewal, whether rates go up, what insurance they require, the rules for guests and liveaboards, and what’s included.