If you are a boat enthusiast but don’t have the space to store your boat, boat storage facilities may be an attractive option.
This type of facility provides greater flexibility and range of options when compared with boatyards, where boaters store boats for more extended periods.
Storage boat facilities are typically located at marinas or on land with boat ramps. Some boat storage facilities allow you to park your boat in their yard while they look after it and offer some maintenance for a fee. Others provide short-term parking, which is ideal if you want to keep your boat close by without needing long-term care. boat storage miami florida vary from no fixed schedule to full-service boat care packages that include washing, fueling, and maintenance tasks like checking the oil level, checking the boat’s battery and fuel level, or changing water hoses.
If you require boat storage for a long time, boat storage yards are likely to be more appropriate as they provide more comprehensive boat care services. Conversely, if boat storage is required for a short period, boat storage facilities are likely to be more appropriate.
If you have never stored your boat before, it may be worth checking out boatyards and boat storage facilities in your area so that you can determine whether boat storage or boatyard services would better suit the needs of your boat.
Things to Consider When Looking For A Boat Storage Facility
Cost: The boat storage facility’s pricing structure will be determined by their boat care services and the length of boat storage time required. Since boat storage facilities provide boat owners with flexible boat care options according to their individual needs, it is worth communicating your boat’s requirements to the boat storage company so that they can tailor a package of services best suited for your boat.
Boat Storage Risks: If you are storing your boat, proper precautions should be taken to ensure safety and protection from damage. Documented inspections should occur before and after each use. Regular maintenance tasks like checking batteries, fuel levels, and oil levels should also be carried out regularly, and cleaning any dirt or debris that may have accumulated on board during its stay at the boat storage facility.
Boat storage facilities can be boat-specific or boat-type dependent, with different options available for trawlers, yachts, and kayaks. Some miami boat storage services provide boat lifts to quickly move boats in and out of the water, while others offer fixed boat berths alongside their boat ramp areas which are ideal if you want a boat launch service. It’s also worth checking whether they have a car park near the boat ramp to ensure easy access for you when visiting your boat during its stay at the storage facility.
Availability Of Storage Space: Ensure that your desired boat storage company has adequate space for your desired boat size; some marinas cannot accommodate bigger boats due to limited space, so it is essential to check boat size restrictions in boat storage facilities.
Gate Access: Boat gate access should be considered as boat locks for boat security are typically located just outside the boat storage company’s gates and can be opened at any time of the day or night. If you have boat locks fitted on your boat, it is strongly recommended that you secure them tightly to prevent theft if you decide to leave the boat unattended for a while.
It is worth considering whether there are amenities nearby, such as restaurants, mini-marts, gas stations, and parks near your chosen boat storage facility so that you can easily access them when needed without having to travel far from the boat storage facility.
Access To Storage Area: Boat owners must ensure that boat storage companies have appropriate boat parking and boat storage facilities for boats, as well as a boat ramp and boat lift to aid boat launching and retrieval. Boat owners must also make sure that boat storage areas are close to quickly accessing their boats from their car without driving long distances.
Ensure that your chosen boat storage company is insured against theft, hull damage, flooding, or fire – document such insurance details before you consider using the services of any boat storage facilities; it is worth checking directly with your insurance provider if they offer a discount on insurance premiums for using an insured boat parking facility. Ensure that there are no additional charges other than the initial fee for boat storage so that boat owners will not incur additional boat storage fees. If boat owners need to store their boats for a longer time, the boat storage company should offer flexible payment methods or discounts on boat storage services for boat owners who plan to keep their boats there for a more extended period.