Winter Boat Storage Options
During the winter, you can't keep your boat in the water lest it becomes damaged by freezing temperatures, ice, and snow. There are several different ways in which you can put your boat into storage until the warm weather returns, each of which carries a distinct set of pros and cons when compared to each other. Understanding what differentiates each type of winter boat storage option from each other can help you choose the best option for your needs.
Home Storage
The most affordable winter boat storage option is to keep it at your house. Storing your boat in your driveway gives you the advantage of always having access to your boat so that you can perform maintenance and keep it in good working condition throughout the winter but comes at the cost of decreased driveway space. Further, driveway storage exposes your boat to the elements and to pests, which can cause all sorts of damage to the inner workings, as well as potential theft.
While storing your boat in your garage can help mitigate exposure to the weather and the risk of theft, it comes at the cost of taking up a great deal, if not all, of the space within your garage. Further, pests can still get at your boat if it is inside the garage.
Dry Boat Rack Storage
Dry boat rack storage refers to having your boat physically lifted out of the water and put into large vertical racks by a forklift. These racks are usually located indoors, within a secure building that protects them from potential weather damage. The fact that they are stored high off the ground can help keep pest infestations at bay, as well.
The main downsides associated with dry boat rack storage is the increased cost when compared to keeping your boat at home, and the lack of easy access that you have to your boat. You'll have to notify the facility in advance and get them to take your boat down, at which point you then have to get it put into the water.
Indoor Self-Storage
Indoor self-storage units are ideal for keeping your boat in during the winter, as you can store your boat mounted on a trailer within the unit itself. This makes self-storage facilities much more accessible than dry boat rack storage. Indoor self-storage will also protect your boat from the elements and pests, and units come with a variety of different security features, including multiple locks and cameras (though the more security features there are, the more the unit will cost).
The main downside of storing your boat in an indoor self-storage unit is the high price tag that comes with it: While individual facilities will cost different amounts, in general the monthly rate can be fairly significant depending on the size of your boat.
Contact a storage company like Northgate Mini Storage to learn if they can help you store your boat.