Your Guide to Boat Storage

Types of Storage For Boats

Self storage facilities that offer boat storage typically have one or more of these options available: indoor storage, covered parking, and outdoor storage. It’s important to understand the advantages of each type of boat storage, including level of convenience, protection from the elements, and affordability.

Indoor Boat Storage

The most protective vehicle storage option available for boats is indoor storage. Drive-up storage units provide a space that functions like a garage, allowing you to back your boat into a storage unit on a trailer. Extra Space Storage offers a variety of storage unit sizes, so you can easily find one that fits your storage needs. However, this option may only fit the needs of those with smaller watercraft.

Covered Boat Storage

With a roof to protect your boat from the sun and other elements, covered vehicle storage falls between indoor and outdoor storage options. It’s more affordable and offers a bit more space than an indoor storage unit, but it’s more protective than standard outdoor vehicle storage.

Outdoor Boat Storage

The most common self storage option for boats is outdoor storage. At a storage facility, this basically equates to parking your boat in an outdoor parking stall, giving you the most space available for larger boats.

Storage Unit Sizing For Boats

If you’ve decided that indoor boat storage is the best option for you, the next step is to figure out what storage unit size you’ll need for your boat. Let’s take a look at the options below.

10x15 Storage Units

A self storage unit as small as 10x15 can be used for several types of smaller boats and other water vessels. Just be sure to measure the dimensions of your boat on a trailer, not just the boat itself.
Boat Examples

• jet skis
• skiffs
• small drifters

10x20 & 10x30 Storage Units

Most boats that can be stored indoors will need a 10x20 or 10x30 storage unit to fit while on a trailer. Before picking a size, take the time to measure your boat on its trailer to see which size you’ll need. Keep your boat’s height in mind as well. Most storage units are about eight feet tall, which means that taller boats may need to be stored outdoors or in a covered parking space.
Boat Examples

• 14 to 24-foot fishing boats
• runabouts shorter than 24 feet
• small pontoons
• speed boats under 24 feet
• wakeboard boats (with tower removed)

Outdoor & Covered Parking Sizes for Boats

Outdoor and covered boat storage provide the flexibility of fitting any size boat. Covered vehicle storage has a few limitations, especially when it comes to height, but these options can usually accommodate boats that are too large to fit inside a storage unit. Outdoor vehicle storage is a great option for wakeboard boats with towers that may make them too tall while on a trailer to fit inside of a self storage unit.

Preparing Your Boat for Winter or Long-Term Storage

If you live in an area of the country where the weather gets cold from October through April, it’s important to winterize your boat before putting it into long-term storage. This preparation can also apply to boat owners in warmer locations who plan to store their boats for extended periods of time. By preparing your boat for storage, you can avoid damages to the boat’s internal or external components.

Step 1: Clean Your Boat

Whether your boat sails in freshwater or saltwater, you should always wash it before storing it. This gets rid of any salt or grime that could damage the paint. Be sure to wax and buff to protect the paint as well. If you have leather or carpet on the inside of the boat, give it a good cleaning to ensure stains don’t set while in long-term storage.

Step 2: Replenish Fluids in Your Boat

All fluids should be refreshed before storing your boat for the winter, especially fuel and oil. Don’t store your boat with anything less than a full tank, as this can allow air and moisture to get inside, which can damage your fuel system. Also, be sure to run antifreeze and a fuel stabilizer through your boat before storing.

Step 3: Remove Your Boat’s Battery

If you’re storing a boat in outdoor or covered storage where it’s still susceptible to external temperatures, remove the battery. Batteries left in extreme heat or cold can be easily damaged. It’s best to take your boat’s battery out and bring it home with you where you can keep it charged until you pull your boat out of self storage.

Step 4: Put a Cover or Slip on Your Boat

A boat cover or slip isn’t as necessary for boats being stored in indoor storage; however, those stored in covered parking and outdoor storage should definitely have a boat cover or slip. This will protect your vessel from any precipitation, debris, and other issues that could ruin the paint, seats, carpeting, etc.

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Reserve your boat storage solution online or by phone today! Give us a call if you have any questions or need assistance! The Extra Space Storage team is always happy to help.