Boat storage
Finding a place to store your boat is generally easier than finding regular self-storage for your other possessions, as there is an obvious general vicinity within which your boat must be stored. But some lakes and other bodies of water offer multiple storage options, so it's important to be able to quickly compare prices and amenities. SpareFoot is here to help.
Whether you're looking for outdoor trailer storage, high-and-dry boat storage or a traditional storage unit that is large enough to house a boat, SpareFoot's boat storage search can help you find what you need.
Boat storage options
There's more than one way to store a boat. You can leave it on a trailer in your driveway or garage, use a traditional self-storage facility with indoor or outdoor spaces, find a boatyard that stores with racks, or pay for a boat slip at a marina. The most expensive option is storing at a marina, as it is extremely convenient and often comes with other perks like free maintenance. The least expensive, of course, is storing a boat in your driveway or garage. For those who don't have enough space to keep their boat at home, or don't want to deal with the eyesore of a boat in their front yard, the next cheapest option is using a traditional self-storage facility.
Preparing your boat for storage
Even though a storage facility can help keep your boat clean and secure, routine maintenance and winterization (for longer periods of storage) are necessary to ensure your boat will run smoothly when it's time to hit the water again.
Whether you're storing inside or outside, the most important item required for boat storage is a cover. Invest in a cover that is specifically designed to fit your boat. This will ensure there are no low areas to collect moisture, but there is still enough room for air to circulate and prevent mildew.
If you're storing your boat for more than a few months, you should go ahead and completely winterize the craft. The precise instructions for your model are included in the owner's manual, but you can find some general winterization steps in our blog post about storing a boat.
Preparing your boat trailer for storage
At most storage facilities, you'll be storing your boat on a trailer. Preparing your boat and your trailer are equally important to get the watercraft ready for storage.
To prepare your trailer, check the pressure on all the tires and tighten all the lug nuts on the wheels. Make sure the wiring is in order— you want your lights to be working on the way to the storage facility and on the way out. If you're storing the boat outside, buy an outboard motor lock to secure and protect this valuable and vulnerable piece of your investment. If you're storing for more than a few months outside, cover the tires to protect them from cracking from sun damage. Lastly, chock the wheels of the trailer and use a trailer lock to secure the boat to a large, sturdy object.
Other tips
Note when your boat registration is set to expire. When you and your boat are ready to hit the water, you don't want an expired registration to keep you from having fun.
For insurance purposes, take note of any available identification numbers for both your trailer and watercraft. Take pictures of your boat and any other valuable items before storing.
If you're storing for more than two months, you'll want to remove the battery and store it in a cool, dry location. If you're storing for more than six months, you'll want to use a battery tender (also called a battery maintainer or charger) to make sure the battery will have enough charge to run when you finally take the boat out of storage.
Always check your boat's owner's manual for safety rules and complete instructions for boat storage and towing.