Marinas, especially during the prime boating season, are busy places. As a former 200 ton captain, I spent a significant amount of time at marinas inside and outside of the United States. Marinas are constructed with different types of areas to secure a boat, and they include a slip and a dock. Here is the difference between a boat slip vs boat dock. 

What Is A Boat Slip

To better understand a marina slip, it is a space for a boat to secure via dock lines. However, the slip is enclosed on 3 sides. With that said, the port side, starboard side, and stern, when backing in, are surrounded by a dock. 

Keep in mind that there is one exception: a slip is often designed wide enough for two vessels compared to one. In this situation, dock pilings divide one side from another. For this reason, when docking, the pilings can be used to pivot and avoid making contact with the neighboring vessel. 

What Is A Boat Dock

When comparing a boat slip vs a boat dock, the dock is different in many regards. If you have had the chance to walk the marina docks, the difference is apparent. 

A boat dock is most often positioned at the very end closest to the main waterway, which is why it is referred to as a face dock. The dock, compared to a slip, is not enclosed. Remember, the slip is enclosed on three sides. Conversely, a dock is not enclosed; the boat can pull away sideways, forward, or aft. 

What Are Boat Slips Most Often Used For

One of the biggest benefits of a boat slip is that it offers an added layer of protection for the vessel. For this reason, slips are intended for long term storage versus transient. 

Slip spaces are rented out by marinas across the country. The slip avoids the hassle of the owner needing to launch and retrieve the vessel with each use. 

Importantly, a slip can be fabricated to prevent damage as a result of high winds or boat wakes. Slip owners and renters often fit the slip with permanently mounted fender bumpers. Fender bumpers hold the vessel away from the jagged and hard edges of the dock, thus eliminating the risk of scratching. 

What Are Boat Docks Most Often Used For

Boat docks or face docks play a critical role at marinas because of their functionality. Here are the primary uses for boat docks vs boat slips. 

Large Vessels

When comparing the size of a slip to the size of the majority of face docks, the difference is staggering. Face docks, for the most part, are expansive, sometimes extending for hundreds of feet. 

With that said, large vessels are not capable of fitting into slips. Instead, yachts are required to secure on face docks. 

As a captain, we utilized face docks routinely when securing the 168-foot Feadship or 172-foot Feadship. 

Fueling

Marinas do not place fuel pumps in slips because of the challenges of entering the space. Additionally, fuel docks become busy places, so it would be difficult for boats to navigate in such close proximity. 

For this reason, fuel pumps are positioned on face docks. Vessel operators are better able to maneuver to a fuel dock compared to the slip. Keep in mind that boats are often lined up waiting to fuel, especially on weekends in the summer months. 

Pump Out Station

Another stationary object on the face dock is a pump-out station. Vessels whose black water tanks are full require a pump out. 

Similar to adding fuel, boats pull up to the face dock, secure lines, and pump out the black water. Once the pump out is completed, the operator pulls away from the dock, allowing other vessels to enter. 

Convenience Store

It is important to understand that marina stores are often positioned at a significant distance from the dock. 

A person pulling up to a dock for fuel is challenged to walk away and block the dockage space. For this reason, marinas frequently construct a small outpost store on the face dock. 

The small store often provides the essentials. They include ice, drinks, snacks, and small marine accessories. Taking a few steps to the face dock shop can help save you time when it counts most. 

Boat Slip vs Boat Dock: Each Is Unique

Although both a boat slip and a boat dock serve the purpose of securing vessels, each has its unique qualities. With that said, as a boater, you should know the difference between the two. Dock attendants are likely to guide you by phone or VHF radio on where to tie up the boat. You’ll want to know the terminology to get secured in the proper place.