Do you picture stepping out of your Stuart condo, untying the lines, and cruising the St. Lucie River to the Atlantic? If so, the dock beneath your feet matters as much as the view. Dockage rules, fees, and bridge clearances can shape your daily boating and your long-term resale value. In this guide, you’ll learn the essentials of condo dockage in Stuart so your boat, budget, and lifestyle all line up. Let’s dive in.
Stuart waterways: what to expect
Stuart sits on the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River, with the Intracoastal Waterway running north-south and the St. Lucie Inlet providing Atlantic access. These waterways drive where marinas sit, how deep channels are, and how boats move through local bridges.
Depth can change with tides, seasonal flows, and shoaling. The most useful checkpoints are official charts and local notices. Use NOAA nautical charts for published depths and fixed-bridge clearances, and scan the U.S. Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners for District 7 for temporary changes. For bridge rules and opening schedules, consult the Florida Department of Transportation movable bridge guidance.
Deeded vs. leased slips
Choosing between a deeded or leased slip changes your control, costs, and resale story. Here is what to know.
Definitions
- Deeded slip: A property interest that conveys ownership of a specific berth, often transferred with your condo or as a separate marina unit.
- Leased slip: Owned by an association, marina, or third party and rented to residents on a term lease that may or may not be transferable.
Pros and cons for you
- Deeded slip benefits: Long-term control, clearer resale value, and easier packaging with the condo at sale. It can be taxed and financed like real property, and it typically appears on title.
- Deeded slip tradeoffs: You may pay property tax on the slip and still contribute to HOA reserves and assessments for dock work.
- Leased slip benefits: Lower upfront cost and flexibility if you do not need permanent rights.
- Leased slip tradeoffs: Exposure to rent increases, reallocation, or termination, plus lender limitations on valuing the slip.
What to verify before you write an offer
- Transferability: Does the slip automatically convey, or is a separate deed or assignment needed?
- Lease specifics: Term, renewal options, transfer rules, and current rent history.
- Encumbrances: Easements, restrictions, or litigation affecting docks.
- Maintenance: Who pays for pilings, decking, electrical, dredging, and insurance?
- Records: Deeds or lease documents, condo declaration and plats showing slips, and HOA minutes on dock policy or assessments.
HOA and marina fees
Dock-related costs vary widely, so get current numbers from the association or marina manager and review the reserve study.
Common charges
- Slip rent or owner assessments
- Utilities like electric and water, often separately metered
- Reserve contributions for pilings, decking, electrical, and dredging
- Special assessments for major work like bulkhead repairs
- Guest or transient fees for visiting boats
- Boat-lift charges if lifts are shared or community owned
- Insurance-driven costs tied to liability requirements
Cost volatility and budgeting
- Leased slips can see rent increases and policy changes.
- Deeded-slip owners may still face assessments if reserves are short.
- Amenities drive price. Security, pump-out, or fuel service can raise monthly costs.
Questions to ask
- What is the current fee schedule and the last three years of increases?
- When was the last dredge, and is another planned?
- Are utilities metered per slip or allocated?
- Does the reserve study include marine infrastructure, and what is the funding level?
Bridge clearances and route planning
Bridge clearances and opening schedules control how and when you reach open water. Plan your route before you commit to a property.
Why clearance matters
- Fixed-bridge vertical clearance limits tall masts and flybridge air draft.
- Drawbridges open on schedules or by signal. Closures or delays can affect your cruising plans and resale appeal.
- Tides change actual clearance. Published numbers are reference points, not guarantees.
How to verify your route
Practical tips
- Measure your vessel’s air draft and leave margin for high tide and antennas.
- Ask the association if there are restricted departure hours or noise rules.
- For sailboats, confirm mast-up routes and whether lowering is realistic for your rig.
Boat size rules and slip fit
Condo policies usually limit your boat by length overall, beam, draft, and sometimes weight. These rules are typically tied to physical slip dimensions and lift ratings.
Typical condo rules
- LOA and beam limits match slip size and piling spacing.
- Draft limits align with basin depth and dredging frequency.
- Lift and piling ratings set weight and hull-type boundaries.
- Operational rules cover speed, hours, fueling, and pump-out.
- Documentation requirements include registration and minimum liability insurance.
Get the numbers in writing
- Request exact slip dimensions and usable water depth at mean low water.
- Confirm lift capacity, manufacturer specs, and maintenance records.
- Ask for written vessel-type rules and recent examples of approved boats.
- Verify any pending policy changes that could affect your use.
Permits, environment, and hurricane prep
Waterfront infrastructure depends on permits and environmental protections. Storm plans also matter for safety and insurance.
Permitting basics
Hurricane-season expectations
- Associations often require boats to be secured in specific ways or removed above certain size thresholds.
- Find out if haul-out or dry storage options exist nearby and what they cost.
- Clarify who is responsible for damage caused by loose vessels.
Due diligence checklist
Use this quick list to protect your boating lifestyle and your resale value.
- Ownership and rights
- Recorded deed for slip or full lease agreement with term, renewal, and transfer rules
- Condo declaration, CC&Rs, and marina rules, plus plats showing slip boundaries
- Fees and reserves
- Current fee schedule, three-year fee history, and any pending special assessments
- HOA budget and reserve study with marine line items and dredging history
- Technical and condition
- On-site measurement of slip length, beam, and depth at mean low water
- Inspection of pilings, decking, electrical pedestals, and gangways
- Lift capacity, certification, and recent service records
- Utility hookup locations and metering method
- Navigation and access
- Verified route to open water with bridge clearances on NOAA charts
- Temporary restrictions checked via the Local Notice to Mariners
- FDOT bridge opening procedures validated with the operator
- Legal and insurance
- Any board-approval requirements or fees to transfer a slip
- Pending litigation or insurance claims involving docks or seawalls
- Tax treatment checked with the Martin County Property Appraiser
How to shortlist the right condos
- Start with your boat: Note LOA, beam, draft, and air draft, plus lift weight if you plan to use one.
- Pre-screen listings: Ask for slip deeds or lease terms, written dock rules, exact slip dimensions, and fee schedules.
- Validate the route: Confirm bridge clearances on charts and with FDOT rules before you fall in love with the view.
- Plan the budget: Add slip fees, utilities, reserve contributions, and a realistic allowance for special assessments.
- Engage specialists: Consider a marine surveyor for docks and lifts, and a real estate attorney for deed or lease review.
How we help buyers in Stuart
You deserve a waterfront condo where your slip truly works for your boat and lifestyle. Our approach is education first and concierge always. We curate options that match your vessel specs, verify access to the inlet, and request the right documents up front so you can buy with confidence. When you are ready to focus on the best-fit communities and units, we will coordinate the details and negotiate hard on your behalf.
Ready to see which Stuart condos deliver real boat access, not just a marina view? Connect with Evan Sophir to Request a Free Market Strategy & Media Plan.
FAQs
What is the difference between a deeded and leased slip at a Stuart condo?
- A deeded slip conveys as property with your unit and offers long-term control, while a leased slip is rented from the association or a third party and depends on term, renewal, and transfer rules.
How do I check bridge clearances from my slip to the St. Lucie Inlet?
What fees should I expect for condo dockage in Stuart?
- Expect some mix of slip rent or assessments, utilities, reserves for dock work and dredging, possible special assessments, guest fees, and insurance-driven requirements that affect costs.
What boat size limits do condo HOAs usually set?
- Most communities cap length overall, beam, and sometimes draft or weight based on slip dimensions and lift capacity, with written rules that you should obtain before making an offer.
What permits apply to condo docks and lifts in Martin County?
