There’s no doubt about it—boats are expensive. When the off-season comes around, you’ll need to store your boat for weeks or maybe months at a time. Leaving your boat out in the open puts it at risk of theft, vandalism, and weather damage, but you shouldn’t put your boat in just any storage facility, either. If you want to learn how to store your boat the right way, review what you need to know about boat storage.
Dry Storage vs. Wet Storage
The difference between wet storage and dry storage is very simple. With wet storage, you moor your boat on the water with an anchor. Conversely, with dry storage, you store your boat on land—this could be in a storage unit, on a boat rack, or in open storage. If you use dry storage services, your boat will more than likely remain in a gated area with video surveillance, which is great for keeping it safe. However, if you use a boat rack, keep in mind that you’ll have to contact the storage company before you need your boat so they can retrieve it. Also, dry storage tends to be more costly because you’re paying for extra security.
This isn’t to say that wet storage doesn’t come with its own advantages. Wet storage tends to be much less expensive whether you use or a roof or not, but your boat will be left exposed to the elements. Plus, you’ll have to scrape off any algae or barnacles that accumulate on the hull.
Indoor vs. Outdoor Storage
Dry stacking and storage units are considered indoor storage, whereas self-storage lots and wet storage without roofing or walls are options for outdoor storage. As previously mentioned, outdoor storage options are going to be the least expensive. Open wet storage, even with a boat slipcover and surveillance cameras, is going to leave your boat vulnerable to elements like storms and theft. Therefore, outdoor storage is better suited for areas that don’t experience many storms or storm surges.
On the other hand, indoor storage is undoubtedly more costly. Additionally, one of the things you must consider when choosing a boat storage building is the type of unit you want for your boat. Not every indoor unit is fully enclosed—three walls or even just a canopy are considered indoor storage. If you’re looking for complete protection, you’re going to want to look for a fully enclosed unit within a storage facility. Ultimately, more walls equal more protection, but they also equal more money.
Preventing Pinking
The most important thing you need to know about boat storage is that, whether you store it indoors or outdoors, you must protect your upholstery from pinking. Pinking refers to the pink stains that appear on your boat’s upholstery from a bacteria known as streptoverticillium reticulum. This bacteria is harmless but present in salt and fresh water, and when it gets into your upholstery, it can create pink stains. If you want to avoid these blemishes, let your boat dry completely before putting it into storage and don’t let the boat cover touch the upholstery. Wherever your cover does touch the upholstery, place a towel between the two fabrics to break that contact.
