Proper Boat Storage: A Great Relief For Boat Owners

By Author: Banks Gissa
Total Articles: 44
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Boat owners have one major concern all the time; and it is that of boat storage. Study shows that approximately 90 percent of the US population lives within an hour's drive from a water body. With the purpose of a monthly family outing, owning boats is fast becoming a rage in the country.

One of the main factors considered when buying a boat is where and how to store it. Boat storage depends on many factors, such as budget, convenience, availability of storage facilities, and type and size of boat.

Different Types Of Boat Storage

Trailers: Least expensive option, especially for smaller boats. It offers easy access to sail on different water bodies. It also saves on winter fees for storage. Make sure to check the owner's manual of the boat to select the right trailer.

Racks: They are also called dry stacks. Large steel racks fitted with trailer-like cradles stand in covered sheds, stacking up to about five boats high and 25 boats across. Special forklifts remove the boat from the shelves and place it in water.

Marinas: They are very convenient, especially for large boats. Owners just have to ...
... drive up, load the boat, and go. Different states and marinas vary on charges; length of the boat is the main consideration. Marinas often have showers and bathrooms, and also offer storage in winters and maintenance options. One can even buy or rent a marina slip. It can be a long-term asset. Better marinas have electricity connections, water for wash down, telephones, internet and TVs on the dock. Some slip-holders organize parties and socialize together.

Dry Storage Yards: Some marinas even have dry storage yards where boats can be stored in an enclosed space on trailers on dry land thus saving on wet-maintenance.

Self Storage/Mini Storage: These are rentable storage units that are self-contained and fully enclosed, a type of warehouse with more customer control. They vary in size according to the need - from mini storage units to car storage and even RV storage.

Typically these facilities are windowless and lockable by the renter, and great for boat owners to garage store their boats for the winter.

Points to consider when choosing a storage unit

Location
Cleanliness
Security, preferably round-the-clock with on-site personnel and CCTVs
Experience
Additional services, such as home pick-up, transportation to and fro from your chosen dock, wash down and wash bays, routine maintenance, and battery charging, cleaning and waxing before long storage, boat covers, and gas station facilities.
Look for companies offering furniture storage; these usually are climate-controlled self storage units.
Stand-alone units or part of a network

There are 50,000 self storage units in the United States offering more than 2.35 billion square feet of storage space. Boat storage is not offered by all; many large companies who have the space and recognize that not all boat owners have the parking space or local government regulations prevent them from doing so are offering self storage facilities for these expensive vehicles.

For storage and moving facilities across North America and sizes ranging from mini storage units to car storage, RV storage, and boat storage, Storage Mart is a one-stop shop for all types of storage needs. Visit: http://us.storage-mart.com/illinois/elgin-storage-north-004-route-59/60120 .