Many boat owners choose outdoor storage because it’s more affordable than indoor storage. But storing a boat outside leaves it vulnerable to harsh weather and potential theft.
An in-between option is covered storage facilities. These facilities provide structural shelter, and they usually offer climate control to protect boats from temperature fluctuations. Visit https://www.storagebayok.com/ to learn more.
The cost of boat storage can vary depending on your location, the type of storage you choose and its duration. Wet storage at a marina is typically more expensive than dry storage. The cost of outdoor storage can range from a few hundred dollars for a small trailerable boat parked in a field over the winter to thousands of dollars for an indoor “high and dry” storage facility or a wet slip at a marina.
Choosing the right boat storage for your needs will help protect it from the elements and free up space at the dock. When shopping around for a boat storage facility, take into account the size of your vessel, amenities and lease length. Also, consider whether the facility offers climate control and 24-hour access, as these features can affect your storage costs.
Dry stack storage is a popular option at some marinas, as it allows boats to be stored on racks in a warehouse-like building where they are protected from the weather. This can be more affordable than a wet slip, but it may require advanced notice and a wait if the facility is busy. Some facilities have limits on how many times you can take your boat out per month, and larger vessels may not fit on the racks.
Boat yard storage is similar to dry storage, but instead of a warehouse-like setting, the boats are stored on a lot that is close to the water. The boats can be parked on their trailers or lifted up onto racks with forklifts. Boat yard storage is a good option for people who live in cold or harsh climates where freezing water can damage the hull and pipes.
Some people prefer to store their boats at home on a trailer, which can be more convenient than having to drive to a storage facility and back again every time they want to use the boat. However, this requires having enough room on your property and the permission of your neighbors or homeowner’s association. It also leaves your boat vulnerable to theft and natural elements, such as wind, sun and rain.
Security
The security of a boat is an important consideration for its owner, especially during the off-season. A secure boat storage facility can offer peace of mind while ensuring that the expensive vessel remains safe from theft and vandalism. These facilities typically feature gated access, surveillance cameras, and on-site staff to deter criminal activity. They also provide round-the-clock access, which allows owners to easily access their boats whenever they need them.
Security measures are a necessary part of the specialty storage customer experience. Whether it is a matter of safety or convenience, security practices are critical to building trust with clients and providing peace of mind. In addition to deterring crime, security measures can help prevent unintentional damage, such as collisions and scrapes with keypads, when tenants move large vehicles in and out of storage spaces. These features can also be useful for managing the unique needs of different types of boats, such as sailboats with mast height requirements.
While some operations use security guards to monitor the property, these services are expensive and cannot always be relied upon to respond quickly to incidents. Moreover, they may not have the training or expertise to handle situations that arise in marine environments. Live video monitoring, on the other hand, offers an alternative to these expensive and time-consuming services. It enables operators to respond to events as they occur and ensures that the facility is always secured, reducing risks of theft and vandalism.
In addition to preventing theft and vandalism, security measures can protect boats from environmental conditions and pests. These issues can cause serious problems and require costly repairs. For example, rodents can gnaw through insulation and wiring, which can lead to electrical issues and health risks. Proper storage procedures can reduce these risks by removing food and water sources and installing screens to prevent pests from entering.
Regular inspections of boats in storage can help identify potential issues before they worsen. This proactive approach can prevent damage and deterioration during the off-season and ensure that boats are in good working order for the next season. In addition to promoting safety, this process can also help prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to mold and mildew.
Access
When it comes to boat storage, convenience is a critical customer experience factor. The best specialty storage operations provide tenants with on-demand access to their boats and RVs to make it easy to drop off a vehicle after a late-night saltwater fishing trip or pick up the truck before a pre-dawn road trip. For that reason, integrated keypads with full system integration offer the capability to set up special after-hours permissions for these types of customers without compromising site security.
Many storage facilities offer wet boat storage, which means that the vessel is stored in the water. While this can mitigate some of the costs associated with dry storage, it also leaves a boat more exposed to outdoor elements. In addition, it requires frequent cleanings to minimize the impact of marine growth and bird droppings.
Another option is to store a boat in a dock slip at a marina or other waterway facility. While this type of storage is more expensive than dry storage, it offers the advantage of being ready-to-go when the owner needs it. However, it requires that the tenant be present to launch and retrieve the vessel. It also necessitates that the tenant schedule a dock time with marina personnel.
The last type of boat storage is high and dry storage, which involves storing boats in warehouses using forklifts. While this can be more cost-effective than wet boat storage, it is more labor intensive and requires advanced notice to retrieve a boat from the warehouse. Additionally, the boats are stacked on top of each other, which can lead to damage and injury if the boat is not properly secured.
For these reasons, most boat and RV owners opt for wet storage at a local self-storage facility near their favorite waterway. Smart boat storage businesses position their facilities near pristine waterways to allow tenants to easily stash and retrieve their vessels with minimal towing time. Cell phone app-enabled 24/7 access makes it even easier to avoid having to plan around the docking hours of a marina and save time and money.
Convenience
When choosing a boat storage facility, it’s important to consider the initial and ongoing costs. The cost of dry storage can be higher than wet storage, but the protection and convenience that come with dry storage can make it worth the extra expense. Our professionals can help you understand the cost implications of each option, so you can make an informed decision that best suits your needs.
When considering a new place to store your boat, be sure to check with local authorities and homeowner’s associations. Some communities have restrictions on where you can park your boat, while others have regulations about the size of your vessel. In addition, some neighborhoods have high crime rates that may make outdoor storage unsafe. If you decide to go with outdoor storage, it’s a good idea to invest in a high-quality boat cover and use a trailer. This will protect your boat from the elements and prevent the growth of mold and fungus.
Another advantage of indoor boat storage is that it can keep oil and gasoline off the water and ground. Leaving these substances on the surface of your boat can damage the surrounding environment and cause harm to wildlife. This is especially true if the boat leaks, which can happen even with properly maintained boats.
A downside of indoor boat storage is that you will have to wait for a forklift to retrieve your boat each time you want to use it. This can be inconvenient if you’re planning a spur-of-the-moment trip. Many high and dry facilities will notify you ahead of time when your boat is ready for retrieval, which can save you some frustration.
Wet storage can be a convenient option for those who use their boats frequently or year-round, as it eliminates the need to transport your boat back and forth to the water’s edge. However, wet storage can also be expensive and can require maintenance, such as cleaning and waxing.