If you want a house with boat slip

Floating the idea of buying a property with a boat slip? For many boaters, it's the only way to go. "People who have boats would rather put them in their backyard instead of paying a marina an exorbitant amount of money," says Katherine Ferraro, associate broker in the Smithtown office of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

And while some buyers are shying away from coastal areas in this post-Sandy era, there are plenty of die-hard house hunters who only want to live on the water, agents say. "It doesn't matter what disaster they went through -- they want waterfront," Ferraro adds.

Boat slips are desirable features on waterfront houses for docking boats, says Jerry O'Neill, owner-broker of Coldwell Banker Harbor Light in Amity Harbor. Since a boat slip is often rectangular in shape, it's easier to work on the boat from both sides, O'Neill explains. "That's the advantage," he adds.

Slips vary in shape, size and material. Some, for instance, are made of pressure-treated wood while others are grassy. Some even come with a lift, such as the featured Amityville listing. And some properties have multiple slips, including the Great River and Wantagh listings featured here.

So, slip into boat mode and check out a sample of some of the slips that are for sale.

GREAT RIVER, 265 Great River Rd., $2,399,000

Offering deepwater docking on the Connetquot River, this 3.5-acre property has a 1,000-foot bulkhead with two cutout boat slips, as well as a boathouse with heat and electric. The landscape also includes a large brick patio with two awnings and a fenced in-ground pool with a slide.

With the proper permits, the property can be subdivided, says the listing agent. Water views are available from most of the nine rooms of the 3,000-square-foot expanded ranch, which has a wall of windows and several skylights in the living room and formal dining room. There are two fireplaces -- one in the living room and another in the lower-level family room.

The finished basement -- also 3,000-square-feet -- has a gym, sauna, hot tub and laundry room. Set back, the house didn't sustain any damage from superstorm Sandy, the agent says. Katherine Ferraro, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, 631-235-8470

AMITYVILLE, 348 Ocean Ave., $1,650,000

At the mouth of the Amityville River, this 125-by-281-foot property has more than 100 feet of bulkhead, as well as a 20-by-40-foot boat slip with a lift. Since the location is on the fringe of the bay, the water sometimes is wavy -- hence the lift, says the listing agent, noting the dock is equipped with water and electric.

Also on the property is a carriage house, which was originally used for horses. Today, it has guest quarters on the second level.

The main house, built in 1905, is architecturally beautiful, the agent says, noting it blends original details such as stained-glass windows and woodwork with modern features that include radiant heat in the updated kitchen and the 2½ bathrooms.

About 4,500 square feet, the Victorian also has a fireplace, three bedrooms, a south-facing glass sun porch, and a third-floor game room set up with a billiard table, which is staying. Jerry O'Neill, Coldwell Banker Harbor Light, 631-842-8400

COPIAGUE HARBOR, 342 Lagoon Dr., $659,000

Situated at the mouth of Great Neck Canal, which opens onto the Great South Bay, this bayfront property comes with a protected boat slip with a 45-foot gabion and 65 feet of bulkhead with a floating dock. The slip is about 17 feet wide, says one of the listing agents. There are views of Robert Moses State Park, the Captree Bridge and the Fire Island Light House.

The .37-acre parcel is landscaped, with grassy areas, a beachy area filled with pebbles and a deck with a gazebo. New exterior lighting was installed less than two months ago. And since the property is 8 feet above the flood zone, it didn't suffer any damage from superstorm Sandy, the agent adds.

As for the 3,000-square-foot Colonial, it has four bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms. Amenities include central air-conditioning, in-ground sprinklers and a two-car garage. Jason Schultz and Diana Wu, Douglas Elliman Real Estate, 516-945-0203

MERRICK, 2973 Charlotte Dr., $600,000

Overlooking Merrick Bay, this eight-room high-ranch sits on a 39-by-163-foot lot, which is roomy for this area, says the listing agent, noting there is a floating dock and a boat slip. The slip is next to a marina and can easily accommodate two 30-foot boats or one larger one, the agent adds.

The dock was recently replaced because it sustained minor damage from superstorm Sandy. Offering a southwestern exposure, the views are beautiful and the winter sunsets are spectacular, the agent adds.

The house -- an eight-room high-ranch -- features wood floors and sliding-glass doors. It has four bedrooms and two baths. Amenities include a new roof, central air-conditioning and a two-car garage. June Caligure, Meg Smith & Associates, 516-532-2000

WANTAGH, 2362 Riverside Dr., $499,999

Since this 100-by-100 foot property is set at the end of a wide and deep canal, there is little traffic and the water is calm, says one of the owners, who has three boat slips.

The water is brackish, which is less harsh on boats than saltwater, the owner adds. Boats ranging from 24 feet to 27 feet occupy the slips, and water is available on the dock. Ducks, swans, blue herons and egrets are part of the scene.

The house -- an 1,100-square-foot ranch -- features wood floors and a fireplace, as well as two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The updated kitchen is designed with cherry cabinets, granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances and a center island, while the dining area has sliding glass doors.

Although water entered the basement as a result of superstorm Sandy, the house has been totally renovated. The heat and electric systems are new, too. Marlena Schein, Coldwell Banker Homes Realty, 516-763-8942