Boat Storage Unit (Should I Or Not?)

[brady01]

I ran across a movable storage unit on Craigslist that was 12'x28' and i decided that it would be perfect to store my boat and fishing accessories in. Emailed the guy today and got a reply that the posting had been deleted. So ive decided to have one built for myself and get it exactly how i want it. 

 

Im thinking do a 12' X 24' (24' to make it even and not waste supplies / save $$) With one side door on the rear side and a garage door on the front with maybe one window. Being movable it will have a wood floor and metal siding and roof. I got a buddy that is willing to help me and get me going and let me go from there. Problem is, It is going to be about $2500 and i dont know if i (Being an 18 year old boy) should invest this much money into this. 

 

I feel like i should because it will be movable to where when i get a house of my own i can take it with me, and i feel like i could keep my boat nice and clean and organized and have all my stuff to where i was actually know where its at. 

 

I was just wanting some more opinions on it to see what you guys think... What would you or wouldnt you do? What do you guys think about me being an 18yr old and investing 2500 into a storage building. Just a little nervous about it. 

 

Thanks in advance!!! 

[tbone1993]

Dude I am 19 and unless I had a steady job I would not sink $2,500 in to a project.  Also this is not an investment because you will not see a return on your money.  Can you build a permanent  storage building on your parents property? That would make the most sense. Ask if you can add on to your parents garage and then they can split the space with you. 

[Long Mike]

You need to check the Building Codesand the HomeOwners Association rules in your area to make sure that a building of that nature is even allowed.  Also, when you decide to take you shed with you, better check the Codes  and the H.O.A.in the area where you are moving.  That building may not be permitted there either.

 

As for spending that kind of money, where are you going to get it?

[Jig Man]

I don't think you would be very successful putting a boat in a shed that has a wood floor unless your boat doesn't weigh very much.  If it were me and I decided to do it, I'd be looking at a gravel floor.

[jhoffman]

I would scrap that idea and either rent a storage space that fit the whole boat or simply one that fit the tackle and then buy a top of the line cover for the boat.

[Fishes in trees]

I know  that keeping a boat out of the weather when you aren't using it is important, but I'm not so sure that a portable building is the way to go, for practicality, durability and space reasons.  To me, it is just as important to keep my fishing truck out of the weather as it is the boat.  When it was time for me to re-address this issue (2001) I build a garage big enough to pull the truck and boat into it without having to disconnect the boat from the truck.

 

I went 20' by 40' and I have inches o spare on either end.  Should I ever acquire funds to remodel, I'm going bigger.  50 by 150 isn't out of the question.  

[joetomlee]

What type of boat are you planning on storing???

 

Consider the time you'll be putting into a project of this nature. Do you have a job? Figure out all your costs!! How long it takes to build the unit? Use that timeframe and multiply it by your hourly wage. (example: $8 / hour * 15 hours = $120). There are usually always hidden costs as well, which you won't encounter until the project has been started and suddenly you realize you forgot something.

 

It's also important to factor in your savings from building this unit. If you want to keep the boat for another 5 years and you're paying $300 a year to store it now, that's potentially $1,500 savings. Just trying to help you figure out if it is economically worthwhile. Obviously costs are the major issue. If you don't take the time to do the math, definitely don't do the project.

 

I personally wouldn't bother. You're 19, and unless you come from a well-to-do family, that's a lot of cash to sink into a large wooden box!! I'm not sure it will be very effective either.

[J Francho]

The simple solution is to get a boat cover for a couple hundred bucks.

[Teal]

X2 on the boat cover.

[B@ssCrzy]

x3 on the boat cover.  Use the other money to improve your boat in other ways or keep for costs and repairs. 

[Shewillbemine]

Save that $2500 towards a down payment for a house with a garage, not a dry box for a toy. 

[flyfisher]

The other thing is how are you really going to move it once it has been built?  I mean yeah you can make it like a shed and all but that is not going to be an easy thing to move.

 

My dad had a boat while i was growing up and we never had a garage or storage unit.  He did have a customer boat cover and that thing looked as good as new when he sold it ten years later.

 

Get the boat cover and be done with it and save a whole lot of money in the process.