Difference Between a Marina and a Boat Yard

Boat yards and marinas are critical if you own a boat. Both serve the purpose of storage and maintenance, but there is a difference between a marina and a boat yard. Marinas are geared more towards luxury and convenience, while boat yards typically have the bare bones when it comes to amenities. Both serve their purposes, but depending on your specific needs one will most likely be a better fit for you than the other.

What are the benefits of marinas?

Marinas are a place where boat owners can keep their boats, either in water or on land, get regular maintenance, and in some situations, enjoy amenities like tennis courts and spas. In some marinas, people choose to live on their boats, an option that is usually not available in boat yards. Marinas are typically geared towards people who are looking for more than just a place to store their boat and get maintenance taken care of. With all these amenities comes a higher price tag, so if you are on a limited budget, some of the higher end marinas might not be a good fit. However, there are some marinas that offer minimal amenities like electricity and fresh water, and these might be able to fit into your budget.

What are the benefits of a boat yard?

Boat yards are a better option for those who want just the basics and don’t want to pay for amenities. Kind of an industrial area for boat maintenance, boat yards are more for boat repairs and storage than they are for luxury. Boat yards are made for you to be able to store your boat, either in the water or on land, and do any repairs or maintenance that needs to be done. Because they typically don’t have all the amenities that marinas do, meaning their prices are often much less expensive. Some boat yards have people you can employ to do maintenance on your boat, such as a marine engineer, along with you having the option to do it yourself. If you are a frugal boater, or you simply do not need all the amenities that marinas have to offer, a boat yard is a good choice for you.

If you are looking for boats for sale, it is a good idea to keep the price of a marina or boat yard in mind. While nobody likes to think about what can go wrong, the reality of the situation is that sometimes boats have issues that need fixing, and you might have to take your boat out of the water in order to fix the problem. Keeping the price in mind will help prevent any unexpected expenses, helping you minimize the stress of your boat ownership. By knowing the difference between a marina and a boat yard you can make the appropriate decision of where to take your boat.