The Ultimate Guide To Boat Storage Options

How Weather Can Threaten Your Boat  

You don't need a degree in climatology to know that Canada can have extreme weather. Winter storms and cold weather can be harmful to your boat. Even the warmer months often have many dangers, as heat, wind, and precipitation are also threats. While you can protect it with boat insurance,  it's best to ensure your boat is taken care of and stored properly. For this reason, knowing your boat storage options can help ensure that your boat will be ready for the next boating season. 

Preparing To Store Your Boat 

Boat maintenance is always challenging. Just because something spends so much time in water doesn't mean it will always be clean. There are plenty of steps involved in regular boat maintenance, such as checking the oil and battery, cleaning, and checking for damage that should be done before you allow your boat to hibernate for a handful of months. However, after performing those everyday tasks, protecting your boat from the elements can be a difficult task. Don’t just sail through this task since messing it up can leave you feeling like you're upstream without a paddle. While there's no need for you to have your motor going all year just to keep your boat safe, you do need to decide the best place to take it when it's not in use. You have a few boat storage options, and this guide outlines the pros and cons of each of the most common ones. 

Deciding Where To Store Your Boat 

Deciding where to store your boat can be difficult, as there's no clear best option. Each has its pros and cons. Since every boat owner's situation is different, no boat storage option is a universal best answer for everyone, but this guide can give you the pros and cons of each one. Following this guide will allow you to take advantage of the best boat storage option for you with both your current and your future boats. 

Factors To Weigh When Storing Your Boat 

One of the most interesting things about keeping boats stored safely is that everyone has a different way of doing it, so we offer a variety of boat storage options. This is partially due to the vast amount of factors that need to be weighed, which include the following: 

• What type of boat do you want to store?
• What facilities are available to you?
• How much room do you have on your property for outdoor boat storage?
• How much room do you have inside for indoor boat storage?
• How much is your budget? 
• Which tools and equipment do you currently have, such as a tarp, garbage bag, or trailer? 
• How early in the year do you want to store your boat? 
• How early in the spring do you want to bring your boat out of storage? 
• How long and how harsh is winter expected to be? 
• How old is your boat and does it have any previous damage? 

Each situation is different, and when figuring out where you want to store your boat, many of you will weigh these factors differently. It is best to carefully consider this decision instead of just choosing arbitrarily. Luckily, our guide can give you the pros and cons of each boat storage option, allowing you to make the most informed decision. 

Option 1: Storing A Boat Inside 

Storing your boat inside is a common storage solution for those who can and is likely the most conventional solution for many. Some people might have a specialized place specifically for their boat. Others feel they can fit their boat into a shed, or garage. This can be a very good option for someone with a small boat who already has one of these options available. While our guide can't tell you directly if this is the best boat storage option for you, it can give you a list of pros and cons. 

Pros To Storing A Boat Inside 

There are plenty of pros to storing your boat indoors on your own property, and the ease of doing so is the reason it's the first boat storage option given in this guide. The pros of storing your boat indoors include the following: 

• Not needing to pay someone else for storage. 
• The convenience of being able to check in on your boat at any time. 
• The ability to control the maintenance of your boat. 
• Your boat will be protected from inclement weather. 
• No need to travel elsewhere to drop off and pick up your boat. 
• Your boat is very unlikely to be stolen or interfered with by others. 

Please note that depending on your situation, this solution might have even more pros than those mentioned above. It is up to you whether these upsides are enough to entice you to store your boat inside or to go with another solution. 

Cons To Storing A Boat Inside 

Please note that despite the many upsides of doing so, storing a boat inside does have some cons. This article mentions both to ensure you are fully informed. Some of the drawbacks of this boat storage option can be seen below. 

• The boat will take up space you may use for other things at other times of the year. Storing your boat may also make entering, exiting, or using these areas of your home more difficult.
• You are responsible for maintenance. This means that if something happens to your home, such as a rodent infestation, your boat is vulnerable to damage. 

It is important to remember that if you feel this is the best option available to you, you should not let these downsides stop you from choosing this option. 

Option 2: Storing A Boat Outside 

Storing your boat outside can be a surprisingly safe and effective boat storage option. If you do store your boat outside, it is important that you take several precautions. Don't worry about not being prepared enough, as we will let you know what to do. 

These precautions include being extra careful when cleaning it during winter and ensuring that there is no water in the pipes set to freeze the moment temperatures drop below zero. You're also going to want to remove all possessions from your boat. This even includes things you might take for granted, such as floatation devices, life jackets and electronics, such as GPS devices. It's also best to cover it so that it gets some protection from the elements. 

One of the most common ways to cover up your boat when storing it outdoors is by covering it with a tarp. If this is your path, use bungee cords to keep the tarp in place in case of a storm. You will also want to separate it from the ground, so having your boat's trailer intact and underneath is also needed. 

There are also many self-storage facilities that will store your boat outside in what are called open-air self-storage facilities, which function as a parking lot for boats. Even if you use these, it is still best that you use all precautions mentioned here. 

Pros To Storing A Boat Outside 

The reason this boat storage option was included here is the fact that it might be the best option available to you, as long as you prepare yourself properly. 

This option is available to almost anyone, as parking spots are often used when storing on your own property. 

• Even more accessible than taking a boat inside.
• It can be done for free if on your own property, and outdoor storage done by a business is often inexpensive. 
• It allows you to keep an eye on it if it is done on your own property. 
• It is less difficult to physically do so than to bring it inside. 

Overall, despite being most likely the least popular boat storage option out of the three, there are certainly some advantages to keeping your boat stored outside, and this option should not be dismissed out of hand. 

Cons To Storing A Boat Outside 

Despite the pros of this boat storage option, there are still some drawbacks, and it wouldn't be a full guide without listing the cons of this choice. 

• Requires extra protection, such as a tarp.
• Even with extra protection, the boat is still more vulnerable to damage and theft than it would be indoors. Without extra protection, this vulnerability skyrockets.
• It will take up space outdoors if done on your property. 
• If done on your own property, you are responsible for maintenance. 

While these cons should be taken into account, they shouldn't stop you from considering this option if you think it's a good one. 

Option 3: Using A Dry Stacked Storage 

Dry stack storage is a great service for those who don't have the space on their property and for those who don't mind paying for some added peace of mind. 

Dry stack storage is where boats are placed on racks, often high up with forklifts, by a private company dedicated to the practice. The fees they charge will generally be based on the size of your boat and the amount of time you store it there, usually charged per foot and monthly. 

These can be either indoor storage facilities or outdoors. Indoor facilities are often more expensive than outdoor storage options, usually since they are climate-controlled storage facilities and thus protect better against things like bad weather. Each facility has different terms on handling things like long-term storage vs. short-term storage, whether they provide a boat cover, and how often you can come in to check on your boat. Some also offer additional services such as maintenance and cleaning. Prices also vary greatly. It is recommended that you research each facility to find the right one for you. 

Pros To Storing A Boat In Dry Storage 

Leaving your boat in a dry storage facility has plenty of advantages. These include the following: 

• Constant security measures to protect your boat from theft.
• The boat will be handled by professionals, ensuring the chance of accidental damage is minimal. 
• There will always be some form of climate control and protection from the elements, even if outside. 
• Many offer routine maintenance and cleaning, lowering the work needed on your end. 
• Many storage places are available. This often means you can find a place that is a good fit for you and your situation. 

Dry stack boat storage facilities certainly have many pros, and it's easy to see why they're such a popular option for those interested. 

Cons To Storing A Boat In Dry Storage 

Despite the many pros to using dry stack storage, we need to look at both sides of every issue, and since there are also some drawbacks, we need to take a look at them as well. Some cons of using dry stack are: 

• It can be an expensive option, especially if you use one that provides the additional services mentioned above or if you have a particularly large boat. 
• As it is not on your property, you must commute to drop off and pick up your boat. 
• You will only be able to drop off or pick up your boat while the facility is open. 

If you feel that leaving your boat storage needs to specialists is the right decision and worth these drawbacks, you are encouraged to use that solution, as the pros and cons must be weighed equally. 

Make The Right Decision For Your Boat 

Choosing the right boat storage option for your boat will always be a personal decision that will depend on the specifics of your situation, your boat, and personal preferences. This is why this guide gives you the pros and cons of each of the most common options, allowing you to make your own decision, and will also be able to help you choose what you need with possible future boats that you own.