Where Can I Park My Boat?Boat Parking and Docking Explained

By Matt Claiborne

Parking a boat only refers to boats on trailers. Just as you park a car or truck in a parking spot, you would “park” a boat trailer. The word “parking” should only be used on land.

Boat Parking 

Floating boats are generally “docked” or “tied up” if they’re attached to shore in some way. They’re either “moored” or “anchored” if stored offshore

Boat Docking

If your boat is too big to put on a trailer, then in-water storage at a marina is your only option.

Boat trailer parking is either very easy or hard, depending on where you live. If you have land and are in the country, you can probably park it at your house for free. But in a city, you’ll be faced with tons of rules to consider and may wind up paying for a parking space.

Where to Park a Boat Trailer?

Start your search for where to park boat trailers near your home. If you have a yard, driveway, or garage, you might be able to store the boat for free right at your house.

Finding a Spot to Park a Boat Trailer

An alternative for trailerable boats is an in-out marina, sometimes called “rack storage.” At these facilities, your boat is stored on a cradle that is sometimes three or four boats high and launched with a special forklift. 

In-Out Storage Marinas

If your boat is too big to put on a trailer, then in-water storage at a marina is your only option. Keeping any boat in the water means more maintenance costs. Saltwater is an acid that attempts to eat away at everything, including your propeller and through hull fittings below the waterline

In-Water Storage