Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale. A tale of two key factors every boater should know: how much it costs to dock and how safe the waters really are.
As boating season kicks off, weekend cruisers and seasoned captains are heading out in search of good weather and open water. But depending on where you go, a day at the dock can come with very different price tags and risks.
To help boaters plan smarter trips (and maybe avoid a three-hour tour gone wrong), we analyzed data on docking costs and boating accidents. The goal: find the states where boating is both more affordable and safer.
In the sections below, we’ll break down the states where it’s cheapest to dock your boat, the places with the highest accident rates, and what types of incidents are most common across the country.
The Most & Least Expensive States to Dock Your Boat
Whether you’re planning a weekend on the water or taking your boat on a longer trip out of state, costs can add up fast. Especially when finding somewhere to dock for a bit. To help boaters understand what to expect, we analyzed docking costs to determine the average daily cost of docking a boat across the country.
Across all slips analyzed, the average cost came out to $82 per day. But depending on where you’re headed, that number could vary substantially.
States With the Highest Average Docking Costs
- Connecticut – $178.50
- Rhode Island – $152.14
- Delaware – $120.00
- Massachusetts – $113.25
- Florida – $105.00
Several of the most expensive states for docking are clustered in New England, a region with no shortage of high-end coastal destinations. From Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket to Watch Hill and Cape Cod, these towns are known not only for scenic shorelines but also for catering to a luxury boating crowd. Florida’s inclusion is no surprise either, given cities like Miami have a year-round boating season and a dense marina network, supporting both fishing charters and luxury yacht weekenders.
States With the Lowest Average Docking Costs
- Indiana – $30.00
- Iowa – $30.00
- Pennsylvania – $30.00
- Kentucky – $41.25
- Louisiana – $41.25
Coming as no real surprise, some of the most affordable states for docking are located inland. While they may not have the same draw as coastal harbors, many of these states offer access to lakes and rivers with quieter marinas and less demand, leading to lower prices for boaters.
The cost differences highlight a clear pattern: states on the coast tend to charge more for docking, likely due to a combination of higher demand, limited space, and the tourism economy that surrounds many of these destinations. Inland states, by contrast, often offer less crowded waters and more budget-friendly marina options.
Next, we’ll take a closer look at boating safety by analyzing accident data to determine the most dangerous states for recreational boaters.
The Most Dangerous States for Boating
Not every day on the water goes according to plan. From unpredictable weather to crowded marinas, boating comes with risks. To find out where those risks are highest, we analyzed recreational boat accident data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics covering a 10-year period from 2014 to 2023.
Across all 50 states, the average was 1.28 boating accidents per 100K people each year. Some states saw significantly more incidents, while others stayed well below that threshold.
States With the Most Annual Boating Accidents
- New Hampshire – 3.4 per 100K people
- Rhode Island – 3.3
- Florida – 3
- Alaska – 2.7
- South Carolina – 2.7
Many of the states with higher boating accident rates have extensive coastlines or strong boating cultures. Florida and South Carolina draw millions of recreational boaters each year, especially during the summer months. Alaska’s rate reflects its heavy reliance on boating in some of the roughest waters in the country. And New Hampshire, despite its small size, is packed with popular lake destinations like Lake Winnipesaukee that get heavy seasonal traffic.
States With the Fewest Annual Boating Accidents
- Pennsylvania – 0.4 per 100K people
- Illinois – 0.6
- Indiana – 0.6
- Texas – 0.6
- Colorado – 0.7
Lower accident rates don’t necessarily mean less boating, but they often point to calmer, inland waters and fewer high-traffic coastal zones. States like Indiana and Pennsylvania are home to major inland lakes and rivers but lack the kind of year-round or ocean-based boating activity that might drive up incidents. Texas is a notable outlier, with a long coastline but relatively low accident rates overall, likely due to a large land area and more distributed boating activity.
One state that stands out across both metrics is Rhode Island, which ranks second in both average docking costs and accident frequency. That combination of high demand and high risk feed into each other, making it a destination for boaters that seems to be worth the risk.
Looking at the bigger picture, coastal states dominate the list of higher accident rates, while inland states generally report fewer incidents. This trend mirrors the broader relationship between access, demand, and safety.
Next, we’ll dig into more specific insights, breaking down the types of accidents and causes behind boating incidents across the U.S.
A Closer Look at Boating Accidents Across the U.S.
Boating accidents can happen for a range of reasons, and the outcomes vary widely from minor damage to serious injuries and fatalities. To better understand the nature of these incidents, we broke the data down into several key categories, highlighting where certain types of accidents are most common.
States With the Most Accidents Involving Alcohol
National average: 7.4% of boating accidents involve alcohol
- West Virginia – 17%
- Kentucky – 17%
- Iowa – 16.2%
- Alaska – 15.2%
- Montana – 13.4%
While boating under the influence is illegal in every state, alcohol continues to play a role in a fairly significant number of boat accidents. The states topping this list aren’t necessarily the biggest boating hubs, but many are home to popular lakes and rivers where local recreational use may increase the likelihood of drinking on the water. Rural or less-patrolled areas might also contribute to the higher rates we observed.
States With the Most Fatal Accidents
National average: 13.7% of boating accidents result in fatalities
- Alaska – 61.1%
- Vermont – 46.7%
- Montana – 31.1%
- Colorado – 28%
- Hawaii – 27.6%
States with the highest fatality rates tend to have challenging environments. Limited access to emergency services in some of these areas, whether it’s the freezing, remote waters of Alaska or the large lake systems in Montana and Vermont, may increase the severity of outcomes when accidents happen.
States With the Most Accidents Causing Injuries
National average: 41.5% of boating accidents cause injuries
- Nebraska – 56.7%
- Maryland – 53.6%
- Oklahoma – 51.8%
- Pennsylvania – 51.2%
- Minnesota – 51.2%
These states report the highest rates of injuries during boating accidents, which could reflect busier waterways or more congested recreational areas. Minnesota and Maryland, for example, both have strong boating cultures where higher traffic can increase the chance of collisions that result in injuries.
States With the Most Accidents Causing Property Damage
National average: 44.7% of boating accidents cause property damage
- Rhode Island – 67.8%
- Louisiana – 61%
- New Jersey – 59.6%
- Ohio – 54.6%
- Massachusetts – 54.4%
Rhode Island again appears near the top of our analysis, this time for property damage. That trend, paired with its high accident and docking cost rankings, suggests heavy boat traffic and high-value vessels. States like New Jersey and Massachusetts, both with dense marinas and strong tourism seasons, likely see more fender benders in crowded harbors.
Taken together, these numbers show that the risks associated with boating vary by region and waterway. Whether it’s alcohol, injury, or property damage, understanding where different types of accidents are more common helps paint a fuller picture of boating safety in the U.S.
If you’re ever involved in a boat accident, knowing your legal options is key—especially in states with higher incident rates.
“Sorting out who’s responsible in boating accident injuries isn’t always straightforward,” says Keith Stachowiak, attorney at Murphy & Prachthauser. “Whether it’s related to alcohol, congestion at the marina, or poor judgment on the water, things can get complicated quickly. Knowing your rights and talking to an attorney who understands maritime and personal injury law is so important.”
Closing Thoughts
Boating is a popular summer pastime across the country, but where you go can have a big impact on both your wallet and your safety. Our analysis looked at average daily docking costs and boating accident rates across the U.S., revealing where the risks (and prices) are highest.
From coastal states with packed marinas to inland areas with lower costs and fewer incidents, the data shows just how much boating conditions vary by location. It also highlights the importance of being prepared, whether you’re planning a weekend on the lake or a longer trip along the coast.
For those navigating the legal aftermath of a serious boat accident, having experienced representation matters. Murphy & Prachthauser has a long history of helping injury victims in Wisconsin and the surrounding area.
Methodology
To determine the most affordable and safest states to go boating, we analyzed daily docking slip costs from Snag-a-Slip and boating accident data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Docking slip cost data was available in 29 states. We calculated the average daily cost for each state this summer. All docking data is based on a 30 ft. boat to keep comparisons consistent across locations.
Boating accident figures are based on annual averages from 2014 to 2023, including overall accident rates and specific details such as whether incidents involved alcohol, caused injuries, resulted in fatalities, or led to property damage.