Although some of us may want to be on the water every day, weather and life have other plans. If you’re ready to join the 12 million registered boat owners in the United States, you may have some questions about where to store your boat.
When you have to store your boat for short or long periods, there are several different ways you can do it — it all depends on where you live, your budget and what storage options are available to you. It also depends on the method of storage you prefer as well as whether you’re looking for short-term storage or winter storage for several months.
In this quick guide, we’ll go over some of your boat storage options and help you find the one that’s best for you.
Probably the most popular choice across the United States is to keep your boat outside. Boat owners choose this option if they plan on going long periods without using their vessel and because it’s the most cost-effective. Let’s get into the types of outdoor boat storage and their pros and cons.
If you have room on your property and your homeowner’s association allows, some owners choose to store their boats at home on a trailer. It makes it easy to work on your boat, and you don’t have to drive to a storage facility to pick it up.
It’s not for everyone and not best for every type of boat, though. Unless you have a small boat or a large piece of property and space from neighbors, you’ll probably want more room.
Pros
Cons
If you’re lucky enough to live in an area where winter never gets too harsh, you may want to opt for an outdoor self-storage facility to store your boat. They’re usually the most cost-effective option and still offer better security than storing your boat on your property.
Pros
Cons
A step above completely exposed storage facilities, covered storage lots are still accessible and allow you to keep your boat more protected from the elements. These facilities can usually accommodate boats of all sizes and are also a good choice if you have limited space on your property.
While they’re still technically outdoors, these types of storage offer structural shelter from sun and rain and are a good in-between option for those looking for a little more protection.
Pros
Cons
While the cost of storing your boat inside is going to be more than outside options, it may well be worth it to protect your boat. Depending on the harshness of your area’s weather, the cost you save in other maintenance because of outside storage could make up for the difference in price. Let’s take a look at the different kinds of indoor storage and their pros and cons.
Stacked storage warehouses keep your boat inside and filed away for safe-keeping. They store several boats in their facilities that are stacked and moved with a series of lifts.
While your boat isn’t as accessible as it would be in self-storage, if you call ahead, these facilities are usually able to have your boat ready to go by the time you get there.
Although covered facilities protect from the outside elements, some may still experience freezing temperatures, which means you still have to winterize your boat before storage.
Pros
Cons
This one is only an option with smaller boat models, of course, but if you have the organizational courage and the ability to do it, it’s a great option. Not only do garages provide the best accessibility and convenience for working on your boat, but the warmth of an attached garage can also help reduce the risk for wintertime freezing problems.
Pros
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Warehouse-style storage facilities are excellent options if there’s one in your area. While they tend to be more expensive than the racked storage system — because they can fit fewer boats per the amount of space — the convenience and ease of access may be worth it.
Note — If your boat isn’t too big, you may be able to keep it in an individual storage unit instead of a warehouse-style facility.
Pros
Cons
For short-term storage and ease of use, there’s no better option than keeping your boat in a marina slip. You can head down to your boat on a whim and take it out for a few hours or a few minutes, and you won’t have to deal with pulling it out of storage or using the launch ramp.
In-slip storage can be a viable option for winter, too, if your region doesn’t get below freezing. But, your boat will need regular attention and exercise through long periods of disuse to keep its systems functioning well.
Most slips are priced based on their length, and some can be quite costly depending on where you live. But if it fits into the budget and climate, we highly recommend this option to maximize your use of your boat.
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If you like the idea of your boat being ready-to-go at your slip but may not want to head down to check on it very often, you may want to consider a boat lift. Lifts raise your boat up and out of the water to minimize some of the problems that come with in-the-water storage.
Lifts aren’t viable on every kind of dock and aren’t allowed in some marinas. But if it is permitted, you may want to consider it as a way to protect your vessel.
Pros
Cons
Some harbors have lift storage facilities that will store your boat in the marina. This is a great option to use for long-term storage and easy transfer back to your slip once the off-season has ended.
They often provide some type of coverage but are often not enclosed storage facilities, so you’ll have to protect your boat accordingly.
Pros
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Now that we’ve covered the typical types of boat storage, here are a few easy tips to help your boat smoothly transition from storage to use and vice versa.
Your routine for preparing your boat for short-term storage can either greatly increase your boat’s longevity or the opposite. If you follow a few easy steps every time after you get done with a day on the water, your boat will continue to run and look nice for a long time:
If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere that has mild winters, you may be able to get away with storage methods that others can’t. But if you’re putting your boat away for the winter, there are a few things you should do to protect your boat’s mechanical systems — specifically if you live somewhere that experiences sub-zero temperatures:
No matter what storage type you choose, make sure it’s convenient for you, and always make sure your boat is properly protected and ready to get back to warm weather fun.
Formula Boats has been a family company since the Porters started running things in 1976 — that’s why we take business personally and want our customers to maximize their boating joy.
When you buy a Formula boat, you become a part of our family, and we want you to feel that way when you work with us.
We produce nothing less than the best because it’s what we want when we go out on the water. When you don’t cut corners and don’t settle, you end up with a functional, beautiful boat that’s built to last.
If you have any other questions about where to store your boat or would like to speak to one of our friendly staff about our models, please contact us today.
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