Your Guide to Boat Storage
Looking for a secure place to store a boat? Renting self storage is a great option for storing vehicles, especially large recreational vehicles like boats. If you’re looking for a safe place to keep your boat, Extra Space Storage has the secure, affordable options you need!
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
Covered Boat Storage
Outdoor Boat Storage
Storage Unit Sizes 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
Boat Examples
- jet skis
- skiffs
- small drifters
10x20 & 10x30 Storage Units
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.
Boat Storage FAQs
Will I be able to pick up/drop off my boat whenever I want?
If you need frequent access to your boat while it’s in storage, most Extra Space Storage facilities offer extended hours. Some even have 24/7 access available. These hours will allow you to pick up and drop off your boat when it’s convenient for you, meaning you won’t have to worry about scheduling your trips around facility hours.
Will my boat be safe at a storage facility?
The safety of your stored belongings is our priority at Extra Space Storage. Our facilities offer excellent security features, including electronic gate access and video surveillance. Select facilities may have on-site resident managers and individually-alarmed units for an additional layer of security.
Can I just store my boat over the winter?
Of course! Our self storage facilities have month-to-month rental agreements, which means you can store your boat for as long as you need. This is also beneficial if you decide you want to use boat storage longer than you intended. Be sure to talk with the facility before reserving your vehicle storage space.
Rent Secure Boat Storage Near You!
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.
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Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, owns and/or operates over 1,600 self-storage properties in 35 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. The Company’s properties comprise approximately 750,000 units and over 80 million square feet of rentable storage space, offering customers a wide selection of affordable and conveniently located and secure storage solutions across the country, including personal storage, boat storage, RV storage and business storage. We are committed to being the most convenient, secure and professional storage solution in your neighborhood. And it is this commitment which has allowed Extra Space Storage to become the second largest storage units operator in the U.S. with over 1,600 properties across the country.