Off-Season Boat Storage

Making the decision to purchase a boat was simple. Really, how hard is it to decide to buy something that will bring hours of endless fun and joy for the family. The hard part comes when it is time to put away your new toy for the winter. There are many decisions to make before the snow flies, and the most important is how to safely and economically store your boat.

The Marina

This is the obvious choice for many new boaters. If you have no experience with winterizing and storing your boat properly you should seriously consider this option.

Pros: These people have many years experience in boat storage and can show you the ropes. You have options for storage. Most marinas offer wet storage, inside storage and outside storage. Another benefit is that in most cases they will pull the boat out, wash the bottom and put her away for a nice winter nap included in the price you pay for storage. This can be a messy, cold and wet job. It may be worth the price to not have to do it yourself.

Cons: In most cases, you will need to continue to carry insurance on your vessel pending any disaster. Depending on your marina, you may be unable to do any work on your boat while it is stored. If stored indoors, your boat may be on a rack and you'll be unable to get to it throughout the winter months. Boats stored outdoors are pretty packed in, making it difficult to access the boat freely, let alone drag what you need on to it. Some marinas prohibit any work done at all during the winter months, so this needs to be checked if you have visions of teak work through the winter. Another downfall of marina storage is that if you are the first to put your boat away in the fall there is a good chance that you will be the last one in the water come spring. Consider how soon you want to be jumping waves before selecting this boat storage option.

Costs: Of course, cost is going to vary by area and availability. Plan on paying top dollar if there is only one marina nearby. If you are in a marina-rich environment, you need to make some calls. Find out what is included and what is offered as an extra. Some marinas may give you a break on winterizing if you will be storing there. The price of outside storage and wet storage are on average fairly close per foot. When you look into inside storage, plan on that being an approximate double of the others.

Outside Storage at Home

Pros: You have the security of being able to see your toy parked in your own yard. You know if it has been tampered with and you can also stare at it covered in snow while dreaming of your next excursion in the spring. You are able to do what you want to it when you want to do it. Home storage is also wallet friendly.

Cons: First and foremost you run the risk of a ripped up yard come spring. You also have the daunting task of the winterizing process. You must check with your local ordinance officer to make sure that it is a viable option. Many cities and towns do not allow outside storage of that size on your property. It is not something that every neighbor will be excited to gaze at every morning over coffee.

Costs: Really the only cost you are going to have will be for the winterizing and protective weather covering. You may also find yourself with some added cost in the spring if you do not remove the boat before the thaw, but grass seed doesn't cost that much I guess.

Inside Storage at Home

Pros: This is really a win-win if you have a pole barn or garage large enough to hold your boat. You are able to work on the boat all winter in a climate-controlled environment. The boat is also locked away from all weather and possible acts of vandalism (this, of course, would be your children sledding off of it).

Cons: The only con that you really have is the winterizing process in this situation.

Costs: You may incur some extra cost after winterizing if you choose this option. I would assume that it may really only be the cost of heating the garage when you decide to work on it.

Do your research and know what you expect and want from your boat storage choice. Remember it is only going to be a few months, and you will be back on the water, so treat your new toy to the proper rest time.