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Berths in Barcelona and the Med: wet berth, dry stack, renting vs buying a berth concession

Where the boat lives affects what it costs and how often you use it. Compare a wet berth, a dry stack and a berth concession before you buy.

Updated 1 min read

Key points

  • Wet berths in the water suit frequent use. Dry stacks suit smaller boats and cost less.
  • In Spain a berth "purchase" is usually a concession with an end date.
  • Check berth availability for your boat's length and beam before you make an offer.
An anchor on a nautical chart.

Start with the berth, not the boat

Good berths in and around Barcelona are in demand, and every berth fits boats up to a set length and beam. A boat that does not fit the berth you can get is the wrong boat.

Three ways to keep a boat

Three ways to keep a boat compared. Wet berth: in the water, best for boats used often, a yearly or monthly fee by length, watch for waiting lists around Barcelona. Dry stack: on a rack ashore, best for smaller powerboats used at weekends, a lower fee plus a charge per launch, watch for booking launches ahead and the size limit. Berth concession: the right to one berth until a fixed end date, best for one boat in one port for years, a purchase price plus yearly fees, and its value falls with the years left.

Renting or buying a concession

Spanish ports sit on public land, so a berth is usually offered as a concession: the right to use one berth until a fixed end date. Buying a concession means a large payment up front plus yearly port fees. Renting, year-round or by the season, keeps your cash free and lets you move. Buying can make sense if you plan to keep one boat in one port for many years.

Questions to ask the marina

  • What is the maximum length, beam and draft of the berth?
  • How many years remain on the concession, and can it be transferred?
  • What are the yearly fees, and how do they change?
  • Is there a waiting list for renting?

Ask your broker to check these before you make an offer.

General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check your own case with a professional or ask us.

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