How much does it cost to dock a boat, and what affects the price?
I'm looking at buying a 10-metre sailing yacht and trying to work out what keeping it in a harbour will cost. How much should I budget for a permanent berth or occasional overnight stops, and what extras should I ask about?
Answer
For a 10-metre boat, budget roughly £3,000 to £8,000 a year for a UK marina berth or £25 to £60 for a visitor night, with premium locations costing more. The main price drivers are location, the boat's charged length and beam, the berth type, and whether electricity, winter storage and lifting are included.
Check what the quote covers
Start with the harbour's tariff and your boat's overall dimensions. These determine the basic charge before you compare facilities. The figures above are broad budgeting ranges, not current quotations; local prices can fall well outside them.
Most marinas charge by length overall, often per metre per night or year. Some charge by berth-size band, impose a minimum chargeable length or multiply length by beam. Ask whether bowsprits, davits, bathing platforms and an outboard extending beyond the transom count towards your charged length.
- Annual berth: check whether it covers 12 months afloat or only the summer season.
- Visitor berth: check the departure time, minimum charge and any seasonal or event surcharge.
- Quoted rate: confirm whether VAT, harbour dues and access to facilities are included.
At a hypothetical annual tariff of £500 per metre, a 10-metre boat costs £5,000 before extras. If the marina charges for a minimum 12-metre berth, the same boat costs £6,000.
Location and access set the price
A walk-ashore pontoon berth with all-tide access, shore power, showers and parking usually costs more than a tidal harbour berth or swinging mooring. Popular cruising areas and convenient transport links also tend to command higher prices.
A club or harbour mooring might cost hundreds to low thousands of pounds a year for a smaller boat. Add membership, tender storage, a water taxi where needed, and any separate mooring inspection or servicing charges before comparing the total with a marina.
Drying berths can save money, but the boat must be suitable for taking the ground and the bottom must provide appropriate support. Deep draught can also restrict your choice of harbour or mean paying more for a berth with sufficient depth.
One illustrative ownership budget in Denmark allowed 7,000 DKK a year for the harbour berth and boat lifting combined. The example dates from 2021. It shows which budget items to include, rather than what to expect at today's prices or in every harbour.