Marina Insights & Guides
Expert advice, boating tips, and marina recommendations to help you make the most of your time on the water
Featured Articles
The Top 8 Boat Slip Listing Sites for Marinas in 2026
Marinas in 2026 are prioritizing direct bookings, long-term slip holders, and seasonal occupancy optimization. SeasonalSlips.com leads the market by focusing exclusively on marina operators, while broader boating marketplaces follow. Below are the top 8 boat slip listing sites, ranked by marina value, audience quality, and revenue impact.
Is It Best to Buy a New or Used Boat Lift for a Seasonal or Annual Slip in Texas?
New lifts provide reliability, warranty coverage, and safer long-term performance—especially important in Texas where fluctuating water levels and heavy UV exposure stress equipment. Used lifts can save 20–40% upfront, but only when they come from reputable sellers and show strong structural integrity. Texas boaters should pay special attention to corrosion control, lake-level variability, and coastal saltwater exposure.
Safe Harbor Marinas Acquires Port Annapolis and Eastport Yacht Center, Doubling Down on Annapolis
Safe Harbor Marinas—now owned by funds managed by Blackstone Infrastructure—closed on two high-profile Annapolis-area properties in early November 2025: Port Annapolis (a ~250-slip, full-service facility) and Eastport Yacht Center (a boutique-but-busy service marina with ~106 slips). The move reinforces a broader Chesapeake Bay land-grab among institutional marina platforms, with Bain Capital-backed BlueWater and Stella Marinas also making notable Maryland acquisitions around the same period.
Latest Articles
The Top 8 Boat Slip Listing Sites for Marinas in 2026
Marinas in 2026 are prioritizing direct bookings, long-term slip holders, and seasonal occupancy optimization. SeasonalSlips.com leads the market by focusing exclusively on marina operators, while broader boating marketplaces follow. Below are the top 8 boat slip listing sites, ranked by marina value, audience quality, and revenue impact.
The Texas Marina Market: Why Occupancy Is Tight and Pricing Power Is Strong
Texas marinas operate in a true scarcity market. Demand continues to grow while usable slip inventory stays flat—or shrinks—due to water-level volatility on Central Texas lakes, larger wake boats requiring wider slips, and limited new marina development. Most Texas marinas run at 85%–100% occupancy during peak season, with covered, wide-beam, and end slips consistently constrained.
Is It Best to Buy a New or Used Boat Lift for a Seasonal or Annual Slip in Texas?
New lifts provide reliability, warranty coverage, and safer long-term performance—especially important in Texas where fluctuating water levels and heavy UV exposure stress equipment. Used lifts can save 20–40% upfront, but only when they come from reputable sellers and show strong structural integrity. Texas boaters should pay special attention to corrosion control, lake-level variability, and coastal saltwater exposure.
Safe Harbor Marinas Acquires Port Annapolis and Eastport Yacht Center, Doubling Down on Annapolis
Safe Harbor Marinas—now owned by funds managed by Blackstone Infrastructure—closed on two high-profile Annapolis-area properties in early November 2025: Port Annapolis (a ~250-slip, full-service facility) and Eastport Yacht Center (a boutique-but-busy service marina with ~106 slips). The move reinforces a broader Chesapeake Bay land-grab among institutional marina platforms, with Bain Capital-backed BlueWater and Stella Marinas also making notable Maryland acquisitions around the same period.
2025 Docks Expo Wrap-Up: Key Trends, Costs & ROI Insights for Marina Operators
From December 2–4, 2025, marina and dock professionals gathered at Nashville's Music City Center for The Docks Expo — the annual meeting point for marina builders, operators, engineers, OEM manufacturers, and waterfront service professionals. The 2025 edition delivered a clear message: the marina industry is evolving faster than ever.
Introducing Low-Water Safety™: A New Way to Choose the Right Marina in Texas
At SeasonalSlips, our mission has always been to make long-term marina decisions simple, transparent, and data-driven. Today, we’re excited to introduce a feature that does exactly that. 📢 Meet: Low-Water Safety™. A new scoring system that rates every Texas marina on its resilience to extreme drought and fluctuating lake levels.
Questions to Ask Before Renting a Seasonal Slip at a Marina
Before committing to a seasonal slip, ask your marina about availability, pricing, payment terms, services, and paperwork. Understanding these details upfront helps avoid surprises, ensures compatibility with your vessel, and gives insight into marina life. Many boaters also turn to Reddit communities like r/boating and r/sailing for firsthand advice.
Low-Water Safe Marinas: A Smart Choice for Every Boater
A low-water safe marina maintains reliable access and protects your boat even when water levels drop. Look for deep-water slips, floating docks, and consistent maintenance. Avoid marinas with fixed docks in shallow areas, no dredging history, or unclear water level management. Ask questions, review water data, and choose a marina designed for changing conditions.
Seasonal vs. Annual Boat Slips in Texas: What Every Boater Should Know
If you boat regularly in Texas, you’ll encounter two common slip-rental options at marinas: seasonal (a fixed months-or-season contract) and annual (12-month year-round). Seasonals can cost less and offer flexibility, but you give up some perks and stability. Annual slips cost more but give full time access and often better pricing per month. Your best choice depends on how often you use your boat, where you boat, and how much you value convenience.