Four Reasons To Store Your Boat In A Self-Storage Facility Rather Than On Your Property
Boats are lovely to enjoy when the sun is shining and the temperature is about 60 degrees. But as soon as the temperature drops and the cold fall air starts rustling through the trees, it's time to take your boat out of the water and find it a place to rest for the winter. Many boat owners choose to store their boats on their own property, either in a garage or under a portable carport in the yard. While these solutions do work in some situations, a better option is usually to keep your boat in a self-storage facility for the winter. Here's why.
You won't have to worry about theft and vandalism.
Many people do not have alarm and anti-theft systems in their garages, and installing one can be quite costly. If your boat will just be parked under a carport or a temporary storage shelter, there certainly won't be a lot of security. You don't just have to worry about someone stealing your boat while you''re on vacation, but also about people vandalizing the boat. Teens especially may decide that playing in the boat is a good idea, especially if you're not around for the week.
At a good self-storage facility, there's premier security in place to protect your boat from theft and vandalism, and you don't have to do any of the work yourself. Typically, high-security locks are built into the facility doors, cameras are angled towards the entrances to each storage space, and there are on-site guards to further deter theft. Plus, many storage facilities offer a guarantee that if your boat is stolen or vandalized, they will cover the related costs.
The storage compartments are designed just for boats.
Trying to store a boat in a garage that was not intended for boat storage can be a bit risky. You may not have enough room on either side to maneuver the boat in safely. Storing a boat under a portable or collapsible carport also has its challenges -- particularly in finding one that extends far enough out to protect the boat from wind-driven rain. Storage facilities for boats, however, are designed just for this purpose, so you don't have to worry about your boat not fitting or the compartment not offering the protection you need.
There will be increased protection from the elements.
A leak in the garage can cause serious damage if it drips on the boat all winter without your noticing. And, as mentioned above, carport-style covers don't always completely protect a boat from weather. In a boat storage facility, a strong building will stand between your boat and the weather, so you don't need to worry about the risks that hail, heavy snowfall, leaking water, and wind present to your boat. And the best part is that someone else gets to maintain that facility!
You can access the boat easily in the springtime.
When spring rolls around, you'll want to be able to access your boat to clean and stock the interior for the upcoming boating season. This is tough to do if your boat is shoved into a tiny garage or nestled carefully under a carport. The self-storage facility is a nice, enclosed space where you can venture into the boat without worry. Plus, when the time comes to pick up your boat, there should be a nice concrete or asphalt pad for you to pull up on. You don't have to wait for the grass to dry out like you may if you keep your boat at home.
In most cases, it's worth paying a bit more to store your boat in a storage facility rather than at home. You get a lot for your money: enhanced security and protection, easier access to the boat in the spring, and a facility designed with boats and their owners in mind.
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