An important part of your decision when you determine that you want to purchase a boat is where it will be stored when you are not cruising on the water. A boat must have a safe and adequate storage solution. There are various options available and, of course, a lot of it will be determined by the type and size of your boat. Marine and resorts often will offer dry storage options for boats. Dry boat storage is generally inexpensive but the boats are more vulnerable to damage, vandalism, and weather. Boat upholstery can deteriorate more quickly if it is stored outside, even with a cover.
Another option is a marina boat slip. However, many marinas often have extremely long waiting lists for their boat slips and it may take months or years to secure a position. It does, however, eliminate hauling and launching times. For owners of larger boats or owners of small boats who crave convenience, a marina slip is the best way to go. You drive your family and gear to the marina, load the boat, cast off the lines and go. Rates vary from state to state and marina to marina, but typically you’ll be charged according to the length of your boat or the length of the slip. Boat marinas often have showers and bathrooms and offer winter storage and service options. The best marinas offer connections for electricity, wash-down water, telephone, Internet and TV at the dock. Boat marinas can be great fun as well, with slip-holders often getting together for parties, cookouts or friendly socializing. It goes without saying, though, boat slip storage can also be fairly expensive.
A more affordable and convenient form of boat storage is public self-storage. Public self- storage units offer protection from the elements and are often located near bodies of water. Storage unit prices depend on the region and size but are usually a very affordable option.
Professional boat storage facilities, such as concierge storage, offer both dry and enclosed storage as well as an array of concierge services including launching your boat in the water as well as removing it and returning it to storage. Additional services may include boat washing, repair and maintenance. Obviously, this will be a more expensive option.
You won’t find a less expensive way to keep a boat than storing it on a trailer in your driveway or backyard. A trailer has the added advantages of allowing you to boat on different bodies of water, and to seize the nice days in winter to fish or cruise. It can also save fees for winter boat storage. Another alternative for smaller boats is rack storage, or dry stacks. A typical rack storage facility keeps your boat in a covered shed filled with trailer-like cradles. You call the facility at a designated time before you want to go boating and they retrieve and launch your boat. When you come back, you tie it up, walk away and they return it to the shed.
After an exciting and revitalizing day on your boat, there has to be an option for what to do with your vessel. Whether it be land or water, the choice will be yours. Make sure it is what is best for your boating style and your boat.
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