Cardiff Marine Services Dry Stack FAQs

What is the size limit for storing boats in the dry stack?

The dry stack system can take boats up to 30' long and weighing up to 5 tonnes.

How do I organise for my boat to be launched from the dry stack?

The dry stack system is run as a launch on demand service - Simply call up during office hours at least an hour before wanting to use the boat for it to be launched for you. Launching times are 9am-4pm Monday to Friday (Summer) 9am-3pm (Winter). If you want to use your boat at the weekend or think you may like to then call us on a Friday for it to be launched. Your boat will then be afloat for the whole weekend and put back into the racks on the Monday.

What does the price include?

The price includes all of the lifts from the dry stack into the water. The price also includes weekends on a marina berth if the boat has been launched on a Friday and one night stays during the week for the night following the launch. Any prolonged time on the marina berths will be charged at the appropriate mooring rate.

Gold package: Boat owners can choose to have their boat delivered to either Cardiff Marina or the pontoons at Cardiff Marine Village and may leave their vessel at either site upon finishing with it for it to be put back into the racks.

Silver package: Boats are delivered to the pontoons at Cardiff Marine Village only and must be returned here for collection. Boats can be delivered to Cardiff Marina upon request for a return delivery charge of £32.

How do I get access to Cardiff Marina once my boat has been launched?

Access to the marina via land is by a security gate for which you will need to collect a fob which incurs a £10 deposit. Should you need any assistance whilst your boat is on the water the marina office opening hours are:

Summer: Monday to Saturday 9am-5pm
Winter: Monday to Friday 8.30am-4pm, Saturday 9am-3pm

If I am on the Silver Package how do I access the Cardiff Marine Village Pontoons?

There is a secure gate down to the Cardiff Marine Village pontoon that uses finger print recognition software to gain entry. Please be sure to close the gate after you have gained access and do not let anyone else follow you into the quay area.

Where can I moor my boat whilst it's on the water?

'I' pontoon at Cardiff Marina houses the designated dry stack berths. For customers on the Gold package your boat will always be moored there for you to pick up and should always be returned there when you have finished using the boat. You may not leave your boat on any other mooring to avoid you taking up a permanent marina customer's berth.

Can I store my boat for just the summer or just the winter?

Yes we offer annual, six monthly, quarterly and monthly rates for the dry stack. We also offer a 50:50 split between the marina and the dry stack allowing you to keep the boat on the water for 6 months over the summer and then put it into the dry stack for 6 months over the winter. This is charged at the annual rate pro rata for 6 months for the two relevant rates.

What happens if I need to carry out some maintenance work on my boat?

In the same manner that you would call us to launch the boat, call us ahead of time to arrange for it to be lifted down from the racks for you to work on (subject to cradle availability). Please note that for security reasons you will only have access to the boat during the Cardiff Marine Village opening hours of Monday to Friday 9-5pm.

How many launches do I get included?

The rate includes as many launches and retrievals as you want during the period of your contract.

Is my boat safe?

Yes, the boats in the dry stack system are in secure and monitored site and are lifted down from the rack by a specialist marine forklift by highly trained marine engineers.

How do I book a dry stack space?

To book a space all you need to do is sign and complete a moorings/storage form and subject to availability a space will be reserved for you. To obtain a form simply pop into the Marine Village main reception or contact us on 02920 34 34 59 or e-mail Cardiff Marine Services.