Boat storage
How to find safe, secure and affordable boat storage near you.
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Where do you park your boat when it's not in use? While you could park it at home, a boat and trailer will take up a whole lot of space and also be exposed to risks like theft and damage.
This is where boat storage comes in. Keeping your boat in a private storage unit helps it stay safe and dry when you're not out on the water.
But what storage options are available and how do you find the best boat storage unit for your needs? Keep reading to find out.
How does boat storage work?
There are a few different options for storing a boat while you're not using it:
- Marina berth or mooring. An on-water storage option, a berth or slip allows you to park your boat at a marina, ensuring easy loading and unloading onto the dock. However, it's generally considered to be quite an expensive option. An alternative is to use a mooring, which is where you secure your boat to a buoy attached to an anchor, keeping it in place.
- Dry storage. Marinas also offer dry storage for boats, which involves the use of lifts to remove boats from the water and transport them to undercover storage racks.
- Boat and trailer storage. The final option is to store your boat and trailer in a secure storage facility. These facilities work in the same way as self-storage units — rent a unit on a monthly basis, and take your boat out as and when you please.
In this guide, we'll focus on the boat and trailer storage options offered by self-storage providers.
3 key types of boat storage to consider
While storage solutions vary depending on the facility you choose, there are typically three types of storage to choose from:
- Enclosed garage. The most expensive option, this allows you to park your boat and trailer in a private garage. It offers the highest level of security for your vessel and is also useful if you want to store other supplies along with your boat.
- Covered site. If you select this option, you can park your boat undercover in a shared parking lot. So while it's protected from the elements, it doesn't offer the same level of privacy as an enclosed garage.
- Uncovered site. Your third choice is to park your boat and trailer in a shared, uncovered parking lot. While your boat will be kept in a fenced and secure facility, it could still be exposed to the elements. This is the cheapest of the three options.
Where to find boat storage in Australia
The simplest way to find boat storage providers near you is to do a quick internet search. In the results, you'll find boat storage offered by self-storage facilities, including several major national chains, as well as local providers that specialise in boat and vehicle storage.
In terms of the major chains, some of your options include as follows:
- National Storage. With space to cater for everything from small dinghies to family fishing boats, selected National Storage facilities offer drive-up garages as well as covered and uncovered storage.
- Kennards Self Storage. Kennards Self Storage offers open yards and covered storage spaces, as well as lock-up garages for boats and trailers.
- Storage King. Storage King offers indoor and outdoor storage for boats, jet skis and more. Contact your nearest facility to find out what's available near you.
- Spacer. This peer-to-peer platform allows you to rent storage and parking spaces directly from the people that own them.
What to consider when choosing a boat storage facility
There are lots of factors to take into account when choosing boat storage. Before you decide on the right storage solution for your needs, tour the facility in person to make sure it's up to the task. Issues to consider when comparing your options include:
- Location. The unit you choose will need to be in a convenient location, such as close to home or near a body of water. However, you can often expect to pay more for conveniently located storage, so it's worth comparing quotes from multiple facilities.
- Accessibility. Check how easy it will be to access the storage facility. Will it be easy to back your boat into the space provided? Also, check how easy it will be to transport your boat from storage to the water — some specialist storage facilities attached to marinas even offer their own private boat ramps. Finally, check whether you can access your boat 24/7 or on specific days and during certain hours.
- Unit size. Check what size units the facility has available. Is there a space large enough for your boat and any other supplies you want to store with it? Remember to consider any height restrictions that may apply.
- Security. Research what security measures are in place to protect your boat. Is the storage facility fully enclosed? Is it monitored by CCTV and by regular security patrols? Is there an alarm system in place?
- Other features and services. Next, consider what other services the facility offers, typically for an extra fee. Typically available only at specialist boat storage facilities, these may include tasks such as flushing out your motors and washing your boat.
- Wash bays. Check whether the facility offers wash bays so you can clean your boat after use and before putting it back into storage.
- Cost. Compare quotes from multiple providers to find the best value for money. We'll take a closer look at the factors that affect the cost of boat storage in the next section.
- Customer reviews. Check out reviews from other customers who have stored their boat with the same storage company. Were they happy with the service provided? It's also a good idea to ask friends and family for their recommendations based on personal experience.
Factors affecting the cost of boat storage
There are several factors that affect how much it will cost to store your boat. These include:
- Location. Expect to pay more for a conveniently located storage facility — e.g. right next to a popular waterway.
- Size of space. The more storage space you need, the more you can expect to pay.
- Type of space. Covered storage is more expensive than uncovered storage.
- Length of booking. Longer bookings will obviously cost more, but you may be able to access discounted rates for long-term storage.
It's quick and easy to apply for an online quote with many storage providers. Compare quotes for multiple facilities to get a better idea of how much boat storage will cost.
Insuring your boat
What if something happens to your boat while in storage? Don't expect the storage facility to provide the protection you need. Instead, make sure that your boat insurance policy is up to date and covers your boat against risks like theft and damage.
It's essential that you notify your insurer when your boat is in storage to ensure that you'll still be covered. In many cases, insurers will also offer cheaper premiums while your boat is in storage and not being used, so this can help offset the cost of renting storage space.
How to prepare your boat for storage
There are a few simple steps you can take to help ensure that your boat stays in the best possible condition while in storage. These include:
- Giving it a wash and scrub to remove saltwater, dirt and grime — pay special attention to cleaning the hull
- Draining and cleaning the bilge
- Using a fuel stabiliser
- Changing engine oil
- Cleaning and flushing outboard motors
- Removing and charging batteries.
Pros and cons of boat storage
Pros
- Cheaper than a marina berth. Putting your boat in storage is a cheaper option than renting a marina berth.
- Safe option. Parking your boat and trailer in your driveway or on the street comes with a much greater risk of theft and damage, while it can also annoy your neighbours.
- Protection against the weather. Getting your boat out of the water and putting it in storage means less maintenance. If you choose covered storage, your boat will be completely protected from the elements.
- More space. With your boat in storage, you'll be able to take advantage of much more usable garage, driveway and yard space at home.
- Store your boat near the water. If you live a long way away from the water, storing your boat in a facility close to where you use it can be a convenient solution.
Cons
- Can be costly. The cost of renting boat storage for months at a time can quickly add up.
- Can be inconvenient. Accessing your boat and trailer in storage when you need to use them can be more of a hassle than if your boat is stored at home.
- Maintenance. You'll need to take steps to prepare your boat to make sure it's in the best possible condition when you take it out of storage.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum or maximum length of time that I can store my boat?
Many facilities offer a minimum storage period of one month, but some allow you to store your boat for as little as one week. Many storage providers don't impose maximum limits, but check with your nearest facility for details of any terms and conditions that apply.
What is boat insurance lay-up cover?
Lay-up cover ensures that your boat will be protected against theft and accidental damage when not in use for a long-term period, sometimes as much as 12 months. You'll pay a discounted premium during this period.
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