Where To Store Your Boat

Why Use Boat Storage

Of course, the biggest reason to use boat storage is to free up space on your property and ensure that your boat is kept in good condition ready for each boating season.

When shopping around, you will find that boat storage unit are not particularly expensive if you do not store the vessel at a marina. Marina storage tends to be extremely pricey.

Regular boat storage units not located at the marina are quite affordable in comparison.

They are also positioned conveniently close to the ocean, bays, lakes, and rivers. This means that you will not have to haul your boat a long way . Simply arrive on the day you wish to launch, collect your boat and head to your chosen spot, which is probably already nearby.

How Do I Prepare My Boat For Long

Where you decide to store your boat is a consideration of cost and services needed. For example, if you have no prior mechanical experience with your boat, you may want to have a professional at a boatyard or marina perform the maintenance or winterization .

The first and potentially most important step, depending on the unique needs of your boat, is to read your owners manual for the manufacturers recommendations on winterizing and long-term storage. If youre only storing a boat for a few warm months, winterizing is not needed. Simply perform any routine maintenance that is pending or will need to be completed during the time the boat is stored. The following tips primarily concern winterization, as freezing conditions can literally destroy an otherwise healthy boat.

Is It Ok To Leave Boat Outside In Winter

So, can boats be stored outside in the winter? You can keep boats outside in the winter if you provide adequate protection against harsh weather. But you cant simply park the boat on your driveway as most people do during the boating season. Leaving your boat outside during the cold season can damage the boat.

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Indoor Boat Storage At Home

The least expensive, easiest choice is to store your boat on your own property, such as in a shed or even a garageassuming you have the space. This doesnt cost any extra money and gives you constant access to your boat so you can easily work on it any time. Plus, the boat will be protected from sunlight, rain, snow, vandals and thieves when you store it indoors on your property.

General Rules For Storing Boats In Water

For those who spend a lot of time on the water, in-water boat storage is the best option. If you want your boat to be in top condition, here are two things that you should remember. Firstly, do not let your boat sit in the water all year round. For example, you can combine water boat storage with dry boat storage as a great way to offset your boat storage costs, all the while keeping it in a good shape. If you prefer to keep your boat close to the water, a floating dock can work well too. And secondly, a good coat of paint goes a long way because, besides the obvious aesthetic advantages, it also protects the boat from damage that comes with consistent use.

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Should You Remove A Boat Battery In The Winter

When you decide to store your boat away for the winter, it is a good idea to remove the battery first. Boat batteries can be extremely expensive. If you want to get your moneys worth out of your batteries. You must take proper care of them to extend their lifespan.

Since you would not be using the boat battery throughout the winter. You must not let it drain out and die. Keeping a battery at extremely low levels or fully discharged over long periods of time, can degrade their lifespan.

In the winters, discharged batteries can also freeze over. The water inside the battery expands when frozen, and damages the battery. This can cause deformation, cracks, and leaks inside the battery body.

For more in-depth information on a freezing battery, check out our article here on Whether Boat Batteries Can Freeze Or Get Wet!

You do not want to take your boat out of storage just to discover that your brand new battery is dead. There is nothing worse than a dead battery to spoil your day when you plan to spend it out on the water.

Putting in a new battery would be an expensive and time-consuming task. You might even have the knowledge and skill to revive the dead battery again and use it. However, this also requires time that you would much rather spend on the water.

Storage Unit Size For A Houseboat

A small houseboat will fit into a 20×40 space, but you will need a specialty storage space if you have a large boat. Since most storage units are approximately eight feet tall, it’s important to remember to take your boat’s height into consideration. When it comes to storing your houseboat, the most common methods are dry lift storage and enclosed storage. Be sure to properly block and stabilize your boat.

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What Does The Law Require For My Boat

The US Coastguard standard requires anybody with a boat under 26 feet in length to have at least one Class B extinguisher ready and assuming its greater than that, however under 40 feet in length you want two at any rate.

This isnt actually enough and wed emphatically suggest that you invest some energy evaluating the danger regions on your boat and putting resources into Store a Fire Extinguisher on a Boat depending on the situation.

Notwithstanding, you ought to know that there are sure components that can show up on a boat that require the establishment of a US Coast Guard fire dousing framework and these include:

• Any gas tanks which cant be moved or lifted by one individual in light of their weight or plan
• Any seat compartments that have motor tanks stored inside them
• An motor compartments that have been completely encased
• Any regions that have been encased for the motivations behind one or the other living or cooking in
• Any twofold bottoms which have not been as expected fixed to the boat on a super durable premise
• An areas on board the boat which cant be loaded up with the proper buoyancy gadgets as well as materials

To go distraught on putting resources into a lot of various fire extinguishers, then, at that point, there is a simple arrangement.

There Are Some Places Only A Boat Can Take You One Of Them Is Called Happiness

Roads and highways can take you to some amazing places, but the route is the same each time, and you dont get to set it yourself. A boat lets you travel to some spectacular destinations, but the real joy is in the journey. Every trip on the water is an adventure, and its never the same one twice.

As you think about purchasing a boat, there is a lot to consider what journeys do you want to take? The answer will help determine which boat is right for you, where to buy and store it, determine if you need to license or register it and, when youre ready to move on, how to sell or dispose of it.

WHICH BOAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

There is much to consider in determining the right boat for you and your family. What kind of boating are you interested in? Do you want to use it for day tripping or long-term cruising? How many people does it need to accommodate? How much do you want to invest?

Our partners at Discover Boating Canada have and in-depth boat selector tool that can help you make the right choice. You can check it out here.

WHERE TO BUY A BOAT IN BC

If you are purchasing a new or pre-owned boat, we strongly recommend you use a dealeror certified broker. They will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensure the vessel has been properly maintained and surveyed and can also assist with marine financing, insurance and offer ongoing support once youre off using your boat on your own.

STORING YOUR BOAT

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Electrical Equipment And Winter Storage

Charge the battery fully before the winter and clean the terminals. An empty battery can freeze and break over the winter. Store the battery in a cool place and charge it once or twice during the winter.

Spray a thin layer of dehumidification and anti-corrosion spray to the electric systems connectors to protect them during the winter.

How Much Does It Cost To Store A Boat Outside

Outdoor boat storage generally costs between $50 and $150 a month, depending on where you live. Other factors that can affect cost include whether parking is on a paved surface, and if the boat storage location is covered or uncovered. Indoor boat storage will cost more, but provide better protection.

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Maintaining Deep Cycle Batteries Over The Winter

A deep cycle battery is designed to undergo extreme discharge levels throughout regular use. Keeping it fully charged all of the time using a trickle charger is a bad idea, and can actually decrease its lifespan.

If you have a deep cycle battery, let it sit inside your house until it has an extremely low charge level. Keep checking the levels every week, but do not do anything until it discharges completely.

Once the battery is almost out of any charge, plug it in to the charger. Charge it up to the maximum level, then let it sit again. Repeat this cycle to ensure the longevity of your battery.

Boat Storage: What’s Right For Your Boat

There may be more boat storage options this winter than you realizebe sure to do your research before making your final decision.

I got into boating with a trailerable boat , but over the years I moved up to boats too large for trailering, which meant winter boat storage became a necessity. Although I enjoy today’s big boats, I sometimes miss the advantages of trailerable boats. There are a number of benefits to having your boat stored outside your back door. You can make snap decisions to head off on impromptu boating adventures at the drop of a hat, take advantage of those warm winter days to work on small projects, and you can even save money by keeping your boat on a trailer. But with larger boats, that simply isn’t an option.

Winter boat storage of boats too big to trailer isnt practical at your own home, so its important to find a safe winter spot thats also affordable.

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Storing Your Boat On A Boat Lift

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For short-term boat storage at a marina, boat lifts are a great way to keep your boat dry and easily accessible. Boats lifts are available in three types: floating, suspending, and bottom standing. The type of boat lift youll need depends on whether your dock is fixed or floating, how deep the water is, and the local climate.

Pros

• You dont have to worry about a boat trailer
• Your boat is easily accessible
• You can get on the water right away

Cons

• This storage option is best as a short-term solution
• Boat lifts may not handle extreme weather
• Boats are vulnerable to flooding, aquatic pests, and the elements

Before You Store

• Make sure to keep your boat lift secure above the water line during the winter
• Winterizing your boat is imperative to keeping it protected while on a lift
• Shrink-wrapping your boat is a good idea

Now that weve covered the most common outdoor and indoor boat storage options, you can choose the one that fits your location, type of boat, and storage preference. Looking for a place to store other vehicles like RVs, campers, or trailers? Check out our guide on where to store an RV!

Need to store a vehicle? Extra Space Storage offers vehicle storage options throughout the nation. Learn more about the different vehicle storage options available and which is best for what you need to store!

How Many Stands And Blocks Are Required For A Boat

First, let us know how many stands and blocks are required for a boat with different lengths, and then we will go for tips .

Number of blocks required for a boat

Blocks Minimum 2 blocks are required for a boat , and the number of blocks needed increases with 1 block for every increase of 10 feet length. See the below table to understand that correctly. .

These boat stands are essential for storing at home. Check the product in amazon OR the image is linked to Amazon.

These boat stands are essential for storing at home. Check the product in amazon OR the image is linked to Amazon. The boat stand in the below picture is for the keel.

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How Much Does Boat Storage Cost

If you do not have space and facilities to keep your boat at home or on your own private property, you will need to think about renting storage space.

And your storage space might need to change in summer and winter, depending on where you live and what type of facilities the storage companies have to offer.

How Much Does Boat Storage Cost?Average boat storage rates for inside storage without a trailer is approximately $ 8.25 per square foot, with a rate of approximately $ 7.25 per square foot for a boat with a trailer. Outdoor storage rates are approximately $ 7.50 per linear foot with a trailer.

Of course, these rates are just approximations and are based on early storage booking rates.

The rates can vary quite drastically from one storage facility to the next. These rates are expected to be particularly more expensive if you only secure your storage spot late.

Lets take a look at some examples of some most common types of boat storage options available and what most boat storage facilities include in the cost.

Cut Back On Expenses By Preparing Your Boat For Storage

Part of the cost of storing your boat includes how much your storage options incur, in terms of later costs/expenses.

If you choose the wrong storage option, or if you do not prepare your boat properly for the storage period, you may find yourself faced with costly repairs and maintenance in the near future.

Below are a few pointers on how to prepare your boat for storage in order to keep costs down:

• Make sure any required repairs are carried out before storing the vessel. Some damage can actually worsen over time or as temperatures change.
• Cover the boat with a tight-fitting boat cover, even if you are storing it indoors. The cover allows airflow into the boat to keep mildew at bay, but it also protects the boat from moisture collecting in various areas.
• Fill up your gas tank and use a fuel stabilizer, especially if your vessel will be in storage for an extended time.
• Change the oil.
• Check which electrical components are powered by batteries and remove the batteries.
• If the boat will be in storage for an extended period of time, remove the boats main battery.
• Lubricate the propeller shaft.
• Check the engine is running smoothly and check all components to ensure they are secure.
• Disconnect the boat fuel line and let it run until it comes to a halt.
• Flush out the system and cooling system by following the steps in your users manual.
• Drain the engine of water.
• Check all sparkplugs for potential corrosion and apply anti-corrosion spray.

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Winter Battery Storage Checklist

Just like with any battery, you must perform regular maintenance. This including watering and removing corrosion. For maintenance tips and instructions, check out our Safety First Guide.

Worried your battery is failing? Ask your battery service center, technician, or dealer about load-testing. Your battery manual may also offer strategies for load-testing and other battery inspection procedures.

Boat Storage: Where Should You Store Your Boat

If you own a boat, chances are boat storage is an issue for you. As a kid growing up near the Mississippi River, we had several boats. But our first and most memorable was our 15-foot Cacci Craft tri-hull runabout. It was the perfect vehicle for water skiing and tubing. But where to store it during the summer and winter months was always something of a challenge. Over the life of that boat we stored it every way you can. In the process, I learned the pros and cons of each.

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