Marina & Boat Storage in Alice, TX
Inland South Texas climate, warmer in summer than Corpus Christi (less Gulf moderation).
For marina & boat storage, the service area covers roughly 40 miles from central Alice.
Common reasons to call
- An owner has no room at home to keep a boat and wants a safe spot near the water.
- A trailer boat is too big or too heavy to keep in the driveway or garage.
- Someone wants a wet slip so their boat stays in the water and is ready to run.
- Hurricane season is coming and the owner wants the boat hauled out and stored on higher, protected ground.
- A seasonal visitor or snowbird needs a place to leave the boat during the months they are away.
- An owner wants covered or indoor storage to keep sun, salt air, and weather off the hull and gear.
Typical work
- Renting an open outdoor spot on a lot for a boat on its trailer.
- Storing a boat in a covered rack or dry-stack building and launching it with a forklift when the owner calls ahead.
- Renting a wet slip at a marina with water and power hookups.
- Hauling a boat out of the water, blocking it on stands, and holding it for the off-season or a storm.
- Indoor or climate-managed storage for the off-season to protect the hull, engine, and electronics.
Typical turnaround
Most spots can be set up within a few days once a spot is open. Wet slips and covered racks can have a waiting list in busy months, so it may take longer to get the exact spot you want.
Materials and equipment
- Boat stands and blocking
- Trailer tie-down straps and wheel chocks
- Dry-stack racks and forklift
- Dock cleats, bumpers, and fenders
- Mooring lines and dock lines
- Shrink wrap or fitted covers
- Bilge and cover support poles
- Fuel stabilizer and light engine prep supplies
Job sizes
Minor
A single trailer boat parked in an open outdoor spot on a gravel or paved lot, rented by the month.
Standard
A covered rack, dry-stack slot, or basic wet slip for a mid-size boat, usually month to month with launch help when you call ahead.
Major
A larger wet slip with power and water, or indoor and climate-managed storage for a bigger vessel, often booked by the season.
Replacement
Full off-season or storm program for a large boat: haul-out, blocking, shrink wrap, light engine prep, and long-term hold, sometimes for a whole fleet.
Final pricing comes from the on-call provider after on-site assessment, with a written estimate before any work starts.
What to expect
- ✓A good facility puts the storage terms in writing, including who is responsible if the boat is damaged and what your own insurance needs to cover.
- ✓They keep clear rules for launch times, forklift handling, and how much notice they need before you want your boat in the water.
- ✓They ask about your boat size and weight up front so the spot, rack, or lift can safely handle it.
- ✓For coastal storage, they can explain their storm and hurricane plan, including whether haul-out is offered and how early to call.
- ✓They keep fire safety in mind for stack buildings and follow local building and fire codes for large storage structures.
- ✓They are upfront about waiting lists and give an honest idea of when a spot may open.
General liability and property insurance, fire coverage for stack buildings, and often a Marina Operators Legal Liability policy. Good operators may follow Clean Marina program guidance and have trained forklift and lift operators for handling boats.
Common questions
What is the difference between wet storage and dry storage?
Wet storage means your boat sits in the water in a slip, so it is ready to run. Dry storage means your boat is kept out of the water on a trailer, in a rack, or in a building, which keeps salt water off the hull. Dry storage often costs less and cuts down on growth and corrosion, but you have to wait for a launch.
What is dry-stack storage?
Dry-stack storage keeps boats in a big rack, stacked several high inside or under a roof. Staff use a forklift to pull your boat and put it in the water when you call ahead. It protects the boat from weather and is popular for center consoles and mid-size boats.
How do I protect my boat during hurricane season?
Many owners ask the marina about their storm plan. A common step is a haul-out, where the boat is pulled from the water and blocked on stands on higher ground away from surge. Ask if they have a written hurricane plan, how much notice they need, and whether haul-out is included or costs extra.
Does the marina cover damage to my boat?
Storage does not always mean the marina insures your boat. Many places carry their own liability coverage but ask you to keep your own boat insurance too. Read the storage contract and ask what is and is not covered, and keep your own policy current.
Can I work on my own boat while it is stored?
It depends on the facility. Some allow light cleaning or small jobs at your spot, and some limit work for safety or environmental rules, like no bottom sanding or oil changes over the ground. Ask about the rules before you sign up.
How do I get on a waiting list for a slip?
Popular slips and covered racks fill up, so call early and ask to be put on the list. Ask how long the wait usually runs, whether a deposit holds your place, and if there is a shorter wait for a smaller or open spot in the meantime.
What should I do to prep my boat before long storage?
For a longer hold, owners often add fuel stabilizer, wash off salt, charge or remove the battery, and cover or shrink wrap the boat. Ask the facility what prep they handle and what they expect you to do first.
Do I need my own trailer to store a boat?
Not always. Trailer storage and dry-stack racks do not need you to leave a trailer, and wet slips keep the boat in the water. If you park on a trailer in an open lot, you will need a trailer that fits the spot rules.