Garage dimensions for pro style boat

[Madhouse27]

I'm going over some house plans with my contractor and had a question about garage size and the placement of the garage doors. I want to make sure I have enough room for a 20ft bass boat. Could one of you guys with a big rig please do me a favor and measure from your prop to the tongue of your trailer for me. Trying to decide on the design of the garage and necessary dimensions. I'm thinking that I'll be changing boats before changing houses. Thanks for the help.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Way to get the important stuff in there. ;D

If the boatmonkey, the bait monkey's evil cousin, had anything to say about it you better make room for at least a 22 ft. boat. ;D

[Skwerl]

My 15'5" boat and trailer (with motor lowered) is over 21'. So if you figure a 5' longer boat and a bigger motor, I'd allow at least 28'. And that might be tight. 30' if you have the budget, otherwise 28' and roll the boat in at an angle.

[northgabassfisher]

I hava 18 ft boat with a swing away tongue and it fits good in my 19.5ft garage. when you lower your motor all the way down you could save a lot of room.

[Gatorbassman]

I built a covered parking area for my Father-in-Law a few years ago. His boat is a 20. You want to have at least a 26ft depth unless you get a toung that retracts. Then you can cut it to 24ft. This gives you enough room to be able to slip around the back of the boat and you are less likely to punch a hole in the back of your garage with the prop. It also leaves room for a boat upgrade to a 21ft.

[Glenn]

Ideally, 12'x30' if you have room for it.  Otherwise, 10'x25' at a bare minimum.  And make sure you have at least a 10' door.

I have a 20' Ranger and an 11'x36' garage for it.  The extra length is for all the shelving/cupboards to store all my fishing/camping gear.

[Al Wolbach]

I have a 20' Champion. The boat with motor trimmed up ( on the motor totor ) is 27' long. This includes trailor tongue.  Soneone already said use 10' doors (a must).  My garage is 28' deep and is a problem to walk around the boat if I don't fold the swingaway tongue.

[abelfisher]

It's good you are planning ahead.  Be sure you put the exterior access door on the opposite side you plan on having your boat.  Otherwise, its a pain to get in and out of due to the tight spaces.    Also, be careful where they place the water heater.  Mine is in the corner of the garage, the side my boat would be stored if the garage was long enough, and the water heater eats up too much floor space. Besides there is a safety concern with a gas tank close to gas water heater.

I am like Glenn, you want enough room all around so you are not fighting the boat when you need to get around it.  

Place an electrical outlet close to where your on- board charge will be so you don't have an extension cord across your garage floor.

Hope this helps!

[Madhouse27]

As always you guys have been a huge help. The house plan I'm currently working with called for a laundry/storage room situated behind the garage. I was thinking the laundry area would be better suited on the second floor with the bedrooms. With that moved I can extend the back wall of the garage to 29 feet which should do the trick. With the cold Maine winters I don't want my current boat outside....let alone its replacement down the road .

[abelfisher]

As always you guys have been a huge help. The house plan I'm currently working with called for a laundry/storage room situated behind the garage. I was thinking the laundry area would be better suited on the second floor with the bedrooms. .

You and your builder probably know this already, but be sure to put one of those "tubs" for lack of the right word, with a drain under the washer if you put on your second floor.  This helps in case of water leaks or overflow, etc.

[flechero]

Unless you have an unusually long boat or tongue, 29' should be great!  I'm jealous!!!!

I have a 12X30 storage for a 19' champion.  I have about 3' behind the prop and almost 2' in front of the tongue to work/walk around.  I could go down to 10' wide with no trouble and if I trimmed the motor down some I could get by with 26' of depth.