Off-Site Boat Storage (during season)

[MittenMouth]

Does anyone keep their boat at a storage facility during the season?  I'm curious as to how this works out for anyone since it seems to be a tight fit in general with width and not being able to back straight in (in most cases).

[slonezp]

Define storage facility. I keep mine stored in a secure lot and have 24hour access

[MittenMouth]

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

Define storage facility. I keep mine stored in a secure lot and have 24hour access

I have considered a lot but worry about the trolling and electronics plus anything else in the boat. I’m looking at a storage unit mostly so I can lock it up 

[kjfishman]

If the space is limited to back into a storage unit you and the ground is level you could disconnect from your tow vehicle and roll it in by hand or with trailer dolly. A real advantage of storage units have AC power available so you can keep your batteries charged.  https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200695292_200695292?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&utm_source=Bing_PLA&utm_medium=Trailers %2B Towing > Trailer Dollies&utm_campaign=Ironton&utm_content=58019&msclkid=e709b64b58a415426d88e820c1baa7c3

[senile1]

I have been using the same storage since 2003.  The business has covered and uncovered storage.  There are numerous fenced in areas that are always locked and everything is surveiled by camera.  I use the uncovered storage and have a custom cover to protect my boat.  I got in with a good rate that never changes.  It costs me $137.50 every 6 months.  Rates are quite a bit higher now.  I have no issues with backing the boat into it's assigned slot.  If you can back down a multi lane boat ramp when all lanes are full, you won't have any issues backing into a storage slot.  You may not have much maneuvering room but if it is designed for boats and RVs you will be able to back it in.

[OnthePotomac]

I looked into an enclosed storage bay when I bought my boat in 2001 and it was cost prohibitive, but then we are in a burb of D.C. and everything is three times as much as normal.  Fortunately, I am only 5 miles from a state park and they have a secured storage yard, the fee for which includes parking and launching for a year.  You pay by the foot, so I get nailed for an 18' (mine is 17'6") and $900 a year.  As I recall, a storage bay was $200 a month.  Lots of 20 and 21' bass boats in our yard and often wonder how much there bill must be.  Ah, the joys of boat ownership and fishing.

[RichF]

5 hours ago, OnthePotomac said:

I looked into an enclosed storage bay when I bought my boat in 2001 and it was cost prohibitive, but then we are in a burb of D.C. and everything is three times as much as normal.  Fortunately, I am only 5 miles from a state park and they have a secured storage yard, the fee for which includes parking and launching for a year.  You pay by the foot, so I get nailed for an 18' (mine is 17'6") and $900 a year.  As I recall, a storage bay was $200 a month.  Lots of 20 and 21' bass boats in our yard and often wonder how much there bill must be.  Ah, the joys of boat ownership and fishing.

What park? I'm in Arlington and have wanted to bring my boat down for the last 5 years but haven't found a place that isn't outlandish, costwise.

[OnthePotomac]

Leeslyvania State Park right off Route 1.  Turn left at the big WAWA.  It is $17 a park and launch, or unlimited if you store your boat there. I have been in the storage yard since 2001 and when I moved in it was $750 a year storage and launch for there and good for any state park in Virginia.  Three years later it started to go up and was only good for Leesylvania Park.  It is painful to pay the bill every Dec 1, but no boats are allowed sitting out in our housing area unless it is for over night and I prefer to keep the vehicles in the garage.  There are two massive concrete ramps and floating tidal docks.  Each ramp has a floating dock on each side of the ramp, so four launches/retrieves could occur at the same time if need be, but that only happens in the summer when the weekenders arrive at around 1100 AM.  The yard is secured with a gate chain and lock which can only be opened by those who store there.  If the Rangers see the gate open they check to see if a vehicle in there has the security placard hanging from the rear view mirror.  I am not aware of any problems since I have been in the yard.  There is also a snack store with cold drinks and lounging porch at the docks.

[Bolar]

1 hour ago, OnthePotomac said:

Leeslyvania State Park right off Route 1.  Turn left at the big WAWA.  It is $17 a park and launch, or unlimited if you store your boat there. I have been in the storage yard since 2001 and when I moved in it was $750 a year storage and launch for there and good for any state park in Virginia.  Three years later it started to go up and was only good for Leesylvania Park.  It is painful to pay the bill every Dec 1, but no boats are allowed sitting out in our housing area unless it is for over night and I prefer to keep the vehicles in the garage.  There are two massive concrete ramps and floating tidal docks.  Each ramp has a floating dock on each side of the ramp, so four launches/retrieves could occur at the same time if need be, but that only happens in the summer when the weekenders arrive at around 1100 AM.  The yard is secured with a gate chain and lock which can only be opened by those who store there.  If the Rangers see the gate open they check to see if a vehicle in there has the security placard hanging from the rear view mirror.  I am not aware of any problems since I have been in the yard.  There is also a snack store with cold drinks and lounging porch at the docks.

 

You should have lead with snack store. 

 

 

[RichF]

On 3/15/2020 at 12:08 PM, OnthePotomac said:

Leeslyvania State Park right off Route 1.  Turn left at the big WAWA.  It is $17 a park and launch, or unlimited if you store your boat there. I have been in the storage yard since 2001 and when I moved in it was $750 a year storage and launch for there and good for any state park in Virginia.  Three years later it started to go up and was only good for Leesylvania Park.  It is painful to pay the bill every Dec 1, but no boats are allowed sitting out in our housing area unless it is for over night and I prefer to keep the vehicles in the garage.  There are two massive concrete ramps and floating tidal docks.  Each ramp has a floating dock on each side of the ramp, so four launches/retrieves could occur at the same time if need be, but that only happens in the summer when the weekenders arrive at around 1100 AM.  The yard is secured with a gate chain and lock which can only be opened by those who store there.  If the Rangers see the gate open they check to see if a vehicle in there has the security placard hanging from the rear view mirror.  I am not aware of any problems since I have been in the yard.  There is also a snack store with cold drinks and lounging porch at the docks.

Thanks for the info!