Short answer
There are three ways to get a berth: the municipal harbour queue, a boat club (membership and usually mandatory work duty) or a private marina at market rates. Join several queues at once and register your boat's beam. It's the beam that determines which berths you can get. See marinas and boatyards in your county under Marinas & boatyards.
Compare the options
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Municipal harbour | Often lower fees | Waiting lists can be long in big cities |
| Boat club | Community, winter storage, mast crane | Work duty, night watch and joining fee |
| Private marina | Services, shore power, berths available right away | Higher price |
| Sublet berth | Quick | Often not allowed, check the rules |
What affects the price
- Beam and length – fees are often charged per metre of beam or per square metre.
- Location – big cities and sheltered bays cost more.
- Type of mooring – Y-boom, mooring buoy or stern anchor.
- Power and water – shore power may cost extra, see shore power on your boat.
- Winter storage – work out your cost with the winter storage calculator.
Always check the harbour's own price list. Fees vary a lot between municipalities.
How to get there faster
- Measure the boat's maximum beam, including fenders, and report the correct figure.
- Join the waiting list at several marinas and clubs.
- Ask about seasonal berths and berths for small boats. These often become available first.
- Join a boat club early. Length of membership can give you priority.
- Check the rules for toilet pump-out and waste at the marina, see pump-out.
Mooring buoy, Y-boom or stern anchor
How the boat is moored affects both the price and how easy it is to get on board.
| Mooring | Suits | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Finger pontoon | Most boats | The finger's length and load capacity must suit the boat |
| Stern buoy | Club harbours, older jetties | Requires good mooring technique and snubbers |
| Swing mooring out in the bay | Sailboats, cheap | You need a dinghy to get out to the boat |
| Alongside mooring | Larger boats | Often more expensive per metre |
Ask the harbour who is responsible for buoys and chains and when they were last inspected. Also check what is required for mooring lines and snubbers. It's worth learning a few knots that hold.
Give notice or report changes in good time if you change boats. A wider boat may mean you have to move berths, and the queue for wide berths is often longer than for narrow ones.
Before you sign a contract
Read the harbour rules: rules on subletting, insurance requirements, work duty and notice period. Check the depth and that the berth suits your boat's draught. If you're planning to buy a boat, see boats and the used boat checklist.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the waiting list for a berth?
It ranges from no queue in smaller towns to many years in metropolitan areas. Ask the marina how many are ahead of you for your beam.
Can I sublet my berth?
It depends on the harbour rules. Many municipalities and clubs prohibit it or require a permit.
Which is cheaper, a club or the municipality?
Clubs often have low fees but require volunteer work and sometimes a joining fee. Compare the total cost per season.
What should I measure before looking for a berth?
The boat's length overall, maximum beam and draft. The beam usually decides which berths you can get, and the draft whether you can moor in the harbour at all.
Sources
- Mottagning av avfall i hamn, Transportstyrelsen transportstyrelsen.se
- Checklista för kontroll av elanläggning, Elsäkerhetsverket elsakerhetsverket.se