Snag-a-Slip emerged in 2015 as an innovative solution to a perennial headache for boaters: securing transient slips on short notice. Founded by Dan Cowens during his time at the University of Maryland’s business school, the platform started as a simple online marketplace connecting boat owners with available marina berths across the U.S., Bahamas, and Caribbean. Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, it quickly gained traction by offering a user-friendly app and website that allowed real-time bookings without the usual phone tag or hidden fees. By 2017, Snag-a-Slip had partnered with Marinalife under the Oasis umbrella, expanding its reach to include concierge services for longer voyages. The company’s growth spurt continued in 2019 with the acquisition of SlipSure, a same-day reservation app, positioning Snag-a-Slip as a one-stop shop for spontaneous seaside adventures.
For many in the boating community, Snag-a-Slip became an indispensable tool that democratized access to waterfront docking. With listings for over 700 marinas and private slips, it functioned like an “Airbnb for boaters,” enabling users to browse availability, compare prices, and book fee-free in minutes—often praised in app reviews for eliminating the frustration of endless callbacks. Mariners appreciated its role in fostering a wider network, from weekend cruisers plotting Great Loop itineraries to families seeking last-minute spots near popular destinations. Marinas, too, benefited from the platform’s low-cost booking system, which streamlined operations and attracted transient traffic without hefty commissions. While some users noted occasional app glitches or a preference for direct marina calls, Snag-a-Slip’s convenience earned it a loyal following, transforming how hobbyists and professionals alike planned their time on the water.
However, as the boat dock-sharing market heated up, Snag-a-Slip struggled to maintain its edge against aggressive competitors with weird names like Dockwa, a venture capital-backed rival based in Newport, Rhode Island. Launched around the same era, Dockwa rapidly expanded through partnerships like one with Marinas.com, offering robust reservation tools, integrated payments, and a broader network that captured significant market share—estimated to dominate much of North America’s marina bookings by the mid-2020s. Forums and reviews increasingly favored Dockwa for its reliability and local knowledge integration, leaving Snag-a-Slip in a crowded field where it couldn’t secure enough financing or user loyalty to compete. This culminated in a stark downturn, with the company filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on October 3, 2025, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (Case No. 1:25-bk-11798), signaling a voluntary liquidation of its no-asset estate. Boaters who recently reserved stays through Snag-a-Slip are urged to contact the company or their destination marina immediately to verify reservation status and ensure safe harbor amid the uncertainty.
Yup, Grok wrote this because I was just too damn tired! Also big ups to Jeff Deem of the Potomac River Misfits group on Facebook for the heads up!