Saving on Boat Storage: Is Miami the Cheapest Place to Store Your Boat
- laurie2769
- Sep 10
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 22
Thinking about keeping your boat ready to be on the water within the hour for spontaneous trips? Depending on location, boat size, storage type, and extra services, monthly costs can range from just $28 up to $822, with prices also influenced by state taxes and local demand.
Cut costs with top indoor dry stack boat storage options in the U.S
Reddit’s r/boating and r/sailing, boaters looking to cut costs have more options than just choosing the cheapest marina. Across Florida facilities now offer club memberships, which bundle storage with perks like launch services and member events, maintenance. Another smart approach is partial-season storage, keeping the boat indoors only during stormy or off-peak months while taking advantage of the mild winters along the Gulf Coast and Texas lakes.
Miami + Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Miami’s facilities are ideal for those who value proximity to international ports, charter opportunities, and a bustling boating community, plus want to protect boats from saltwater corrosion, harmful UV rays. Fort Lauderdale, meanwhile, benefits those who want a highly navigable network of canals and a more relaxed pace while still maintaining access to full-service marina features, as one Redditor mentioned:
"You're looking at a minimum of $600 a month to park it in a parking lot 20 miles from the ocean."
Local boat storages often necessitate full coverage, including hull insurance, and may require the marina to be listed as an additional insured party.
Surfside Beach, Texas
In Texas, the state boat and boat motor tax rate is 6.25% with no additional local taxes, applying only to the purchase of boats and motors and not to the rental of storage spaces. Storage units for boats usually have strategic location on the Intracoastal Waterway provides quick access to the Gulf of Mexico, making it ideal for deep-sea fishing expeditions. Easy to find both wet slips and dry stack storage caters primarily to sport fishermen and recreational boaters, current options at Surfside Marina and Marine Service Center :
Kemah Boardwalk, Texas
Storm protection is a top priority for clients at boat storage kemah tx, who also value windstorm-engineered buildings rated for 150 mph winds. Kemah's mild winters make it an attractive location for year-round boating. However, boaters should still consider winterizing their vessels to protect against potential cold snaps and to maintain the longevity though some facilities offer climate-controlled units to protect boats from extreme temperatures and humidity. Boaters from Clear Lake and Galveston Bay appreciate engine winterization services, shrink-wrapping, and bottom washing are commonly offered by marina bay harbor. For instance, one Redditor reported winterization costs including engine winterizing at $175, bottom washing at $147, and shrink-wrapping at $338. Though the average cost for a 10x20 RV or boat storage unit in Kemah is approximately $126 per month.
Plan Ahead
Marina guides like Boating Magazine and Dockwa say that In Miami, premium indoor dry stack and wet slips availability often tightens before peak boating season from November to April, when tourists and seasonal residents flock to the area. Strong storms and hurricanes further increase demand for secure indoor storage, making early booking essential. However, the Gulf Coast’s mild winters attract seasonal boaters from Houston and surrounding regions, creating competition for limited climate-controlled and hurricane-rated units.