To quote the immortal wisdom of Water Rate in The Wind in the Willows, “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” If you agree with this sentiment and you’re relocating to Boston, you’re probably tempted by the idea of a home where you can also park your boat to take advantage of Beantown’s copious waterfront access.
That being said, for a harbor city it can be challenging to find a home in Boston where you can dock a personal boat on-site. If you can’t resist the siren song of the high seas, here are some of your best options for living on-property with your boat.
Burroughs Wharf (40-50 Battery Street)
Located between North End and the Financial District, this top-of-the-line luxury waterfront condominium building is one of the most popular choices for powerboat owners due to the availability of on-site marina slips for residents. Perfect for mariners who want home and dock in one place minutes from downtown.
Burroughs Wharf offers both leased and deeded slip possession. In some cases the slip is deeded with the condo.
1-Bedroom Price: From $1,000,000
2-Bedroom Price: From $1,600,000
Rowes Wharf Condos/Residences at Rowes Wharf (10-20 Rowes Wharf)
Many people don’t realize that one of the most active marinas in downtown Boston has ultra-luxury condos in the building. Whereas Burroughs Wharf are condos with marinas, Rowes Wharf is a marina with condos. These residences are a favorite among the yachting class.
Slips at Rowes Wharf are primarily lease-based, with some slips deeded separately. Rarely does a slip come deeded with the condo.
1-Bedroom Price: From $1,700,000
2-Bedroom Price: From $2,300,000
3-Bedroom Price: From $3,800,000
Townhomes: From $3,300,000
Constellation Wharf (1 Constellation Wharf)
It’s hard to imagine a more elegant Boston waterfront living experience than this — 64 townhomes, 3-4 bedrooms on 2-4 floors each, built on their own gated wharf in historic Charlestown. The building is designed to resemble a naval ship, adding extra nautical flair to the exterior. Not every condo includes a slip, but the ones that do are a mariner’s dream.
Some units have deeded slips; most are sold separately, with occasional leased access.
3-Bedroom Price: From $1,600,000
4-Bedroom Price: From $1,800,000
SLIP45 (45 Lewis Street)
One of East Boston’s newest luxury condominium buildings includes boat docks and harbor access among their amenities. It’s more oriented for kayaks and day-boats than for luxury yachts, but still an option to hit the water right from home.
The SLIP45 boat dock is a resident amenity, not a private asset that can be deeded or leased. Keeping your boat at SLIP45 is more of a resident perk, not an ownership estate.
Studio Price: From $525,000
1-Bedroom Price: From $750,000
2-Bedroom Price: From $1,100,000
Bottom Line
Homes with boat docks aren’t ubiquitous in Boston, but you can find them. Launching your boat from home is one of the great pleasures of living in harmony with the ocean in a place like this.
FAQ
Q: Do I get title to the slip when I own a Boston waterfront condo, or do I lease it?
A: It depends. Some condos come with the slip on the deed, but that’s more rare. Slips are either purchased separately, or they can be leased when available.
Q: What if I’m fine living close to my slip? What are my best options?
A: If you’re not strict about living on-property with your boat slip, anywhere in Charlestown is a short walk away from Constitution Marina with its 273 wet slips. The East Boston waterfront, across the channel to the northeast of downtown near Logan Airport, is also a rapidly-growing market with many condos adjacent to harbors and boating infrastructure. The Seaport District, another hotbed of luxury new-build condos just southeast of Downtown, has excellent marina access as well.
Q: What rules do Boston boat owners have to follow?
A: Boats must be registered, authorized, and permitted by the City of Boston and the Harbormaster and follow local harbor regulations, as well as comply with state and Federal laws. Marinas, docks, harbors, and swimming areas have strict speed regulations, and discharge of sewage or pollutants is strictly prohibited anywhere in Boston waterways. Condos with slips often require proof of insurance, safe docking practices, and size limitations.