Wet berth or dry storage: which suits which boat
Dry storage costs considerably less than a wet berth and eliminates fouling below the waterline, but it suits boats up to about nine metres and requires notice before every outing, which removes the possibility of a spontaneous trip.
gelisted editorial team · Updated 15 August 2026
The short version
- Dry storage suits boats up to 8 or 9 metres.
- It saves 500 € to 1,500 € a year in hull maintenance.
- It requires notice of a few hours before launching.
- A wet berth allows the boat to be used at any moment.
The decision is usually framed as a cost comparison. It is really a comparison between money and spontaneity.
What each one is
A wet berth keeps the boat afloat in the water, ready to use at any moment, with the hull permanently exposed to fouling. Dry storage keeps it ashore on a rack or a cradle, launched by travel lift or crane when required, with the hull dry between outings. The second is limited by the weight and length the facility can handle.
| Criterion | Wet berth | Dry storage |
|---|---|---|
| Annual cost, 8 metres | 2,500 to 6,000 € | 1,200 to 3,000 € |
| Maximum length | no practical limit | 8 to 9 metres usual |
| Availability to go out | immediate | notice of hours |
| Fouling below the waterline | constant | none |
| Antifouling | annual | rarely needed |
| Hull cleaning by diver | every 2 to 3 months in summer | not needed |
| Exposure to storms | higher | lower |
| Annual maintenance saving | reference | 500 to 1,500 € |
What dry storage saves
Beyond the lower berth cost, it removes the whole chain of maintenance associated with a permanently submerged hull: antifouling, periodic diver cleaning and accelerated wear on anodes. In warm Mediterranean water that chain runs to 500 € to 1,500 € a year on an 8 metre boat. It also reduces exposure to storm damage, since the boat is out of the water.
What it takes away
Spontaneity. Launching requires calling ahead, usually a few hours and sometimes the previous day in high season, and the same applies on return. For an owner who sails on a planned schedule that changes nothing. For one who decides at breakfast that the afternoon looks good, it changes everything, and that is the real question rather than the price.
In high season the wait for launching can stretch, since the facility is handling many movements a day.
Which suits which boat
Dry storage for motorboats and small sailing boats up to 8 or 9 metres used at weekends on a planned basis. A wet berth for anything larger, for boats used several times a week, and for sailing yachts with a fixed mast, which cannot practically be handled ashore between outings. Between those extremes, the decision comes down to how many spontaneous trips a year you actually make.
Frequently asked
+Which is cheaper?
Dry storage, at roughly half the cost of a wet berth for the same length.
+What length does dry storage suit?
Boats up to about 8 or 9 metres, depending on the facility's handling capacity.
+How much does it save in maintenance?
Between 500 € and 1,500 € a year by removing antifouling and diver cleaning.
+How long does launching take?
Notice of a few hours, and sometimes the previous day in high season.
+Who should choose a wet berth?
Anyone with a larger boat, a fixed mast, or who uses the boat spontaneously and often.
Sources
- 1Govern de les Illes Balears, Govern de les Illes Balears (August 2026)
- 2Boletín Oficial del Estado, BOE (August 2026)