One of the keys to owning a boat is the question of
where to keep it when you aren't using it. Your
budget, convenience, and availability are all keys
that should be talked about.
Trailering
There's no less expensive way to store a boat than
on a trailer in your driveway or yard. A trailer
offers you the advantages of taking your boat into
different areas of water, taking your boat out
whenever you like, or just saving fees on your winter
storage. Before you look into a trailer, make sure
that your vehicle has the towing capacity for your
boat and the equipment you need.
Rack storage
For smaller boats, a great alternative to storage is
rack storage, or dry stacks. Typical rack storage
facilities will keep your boat in a covered shed
filled with plenty of room. Simply call the facility
before you want to use the boat and they will
retrieve it for you. When you are finished boating,
simply bring it back, tie it up, and they will
return it to the storage area for you.
Marina advantage
If your a boat owner craving convenience, a marina
slip is just what you need. Simply drive your family
to the marina, get in the boat, and go. Rates will
vary from state to state, although most offer you
several other perks as well.
Buying your slip
In some areas, you can actually buy a permanent slip
at a marina. This can be great to have in high
demand areas, as it guarantees you a slip at the
marina whenever you need to store your boat. The
purchased slip is a long term asset, and is good
for as long as you own a boat.
Boat Lift
If you're a boat owner and you happen to have waterfront property, you can easily store on a boat lift. Boat lifts are easier to use than traditional boat trailers. Instead of trailering a boat back and forth between the water and land, lifts allow owners to do just as the name suggests – lift their boats out of the water. Because of their ease of use, boat lifts are not merely something boat owners want to buy, they are something every boat owner has to buy. Simply put, boat lifts are the practical option for anyone trying to keep their boat dry, clean and protect without having to deal with the hassle of cumbersome trailers. Boat lifts are more convenient than trailers. With the flip of a switch, a boat can be launched from the lift in a short period of time, most only take about three minutes to launch or dry-dock. The efficiency and user-friendly features of a boat lift, allow boat owners to spend more time enjoying the water.
Don't forget just as your boat needs maintenance, so will your boat lift.