Boat storage?

[Hollada]

My garage is 21'6". I am shopping boats, but the length of my garage is constraining what I think I can look at to basically 18" or shorter.

How do you guys store your boats during the season and in the winter? 

[Slipkey]

Back when I had a town-house with a standard two-car garage, I used to store my 20' boat at an angle in the garage.  I had a couple of GoJaks, and I would back it in kitty-corner, lift up the front axle and rotate it in to position, so I could close the door.  Of course, your wife may not appreciate your taking the whole garage and, once I married, the next house I bought had at least one side that was 25'.

[Hollada]

Already had that discussion and the boss isn't giving up her stall.   May have to find a storage unit to rent, but everything I see on line is around 200 a month and that is a little nuts.

Racked storage on st clair is another option, but that definitely makes life more complicated to quickly hit kent or wolverine on an open afternoon.

How bad is it to leave the boat on the driveway with a cover on it?   Although I may have issues with my neighborhood hoa with that as well!

[Slipkey]

Already had that discussion and the boss isn't giving up her stall.   May have to find a storage unit to rent, but everything I see on line is around 200 a month and that is a little nuts.

Yeah, in the metro, I'm sure the prices are higher. Here, I store my duck boat  outdoors at a 24-hour locked facility for only $44/month, which allows me to keep the 620 in the garage.

I've always thought someone should develop an affordable Rent-a-mancave solution, but, alas...  Maybe I will have to be an entrepreneur someday...   The driveway is an option, though if you have room on the side of your garage and buy a few pavers, that's a little less obtrusive and and a little less of a target, IMHO.

Of course, you could always install one of these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROCb4hsnPJg&list=UUmZSMrl9-d0s_Bo32E3PQ8g&index=1

[huston]

Fishing season, in the driveway. For a few years, I'd take my trailer tongue off and store it straight in the two car garage over the winter but I would have to put the truck out. My wife would have the other side for her car. Last two years I get one of the 10' x 30' storage units  for $150 a month for about 5 months. They often give you first month rent. But if you have a boat note, vehicle note and a few other bills, that can add up. When it was in the garage, I liked it cause I could do upgrades but truck outside in front of it, which I did not drive was a problem. So off it went to a storage place.

[TheFishinPollock]

I store mine outside all winter.  I put a blue heavy tarp over the top of the cover with a board streaching from the old short front and back seats.   Then I jack up the rear, put jackstands under the frame and take the weight off the rear with one at the tongue to take the weight off the 3rd wheel.  It has worked fine for 10 years that way.

[Hooksetter]

This year mine is stored under the lean to next to the barn, winterized and with two covers on it. Normally I store it in the barn over the winter but there was no room this year.

My buddy stores his outside next to the garage, winterized and covered and he has never had any issues. Been doing it that way for 12 years. His boat is in excellent condition and the motor runs perfect.

Willie

[Skulley]

I store mine outside with a couple of covers on it.  I winterize the motor of course and I tape any orifices that vermin could possibly enter.  I certainly don't want to pick up any tenants looking for shelter from the weather during the off season.  I've heard stories where the little critters have made cylinders food storage silos while they were living in one of the other cylinders.  Duct tape works very well for this.  Also dryer sheets in the storage areas to repel any vermin that might happen to get on board.  Don't for get to tape the holes in the boat transom that take in water for live wells and bilge as well as the hole for the plug or just put the plug in.  Top the tank off and of course use a fuel additive in the tank like Stabile Marine as or the new Star tron stuff.   


BD                       

[TimH]

I hear you on not having enough room in the garage to store a boat bigger than 18'.  As much as I wanted a 21' boat, being able to store it in the garage was even more important to me.  My 18' fits perfectly in the garage, although I am fortunate that there isn't another coat of paint on the trailer frame because the garage door might not close.  Its that close in length.  However, being able to just pull the boat out of the garage in the morning, and then back it in after a day on the water is very nice.  Its also nice to be able to let the boat dry out after a long rainy tournament day, plus being able to work on the boat and trailer during the winter is a big plus as well.  I know alot of guys have told me that they wouldn't have sacrificed on boat length just so it fits in the garage, but to me it was well worth it.

[thedude]

went from a 2 car garage in my first house to a 3 stall in my current house and will be putting in a 32x60 pole barn at my next one if that tells you anything 

[BIGSHOW]

There is a big warehouse in Lincoln park where I store mine. Its huge and heated. I think its around 400 and change (not sure) for a 20' - 30'. You can also do light work on your boat in the off season. Like buffing out etc. Wolverine storage, 734-341-1750. I've been there for about 3 yrs.

[YpsiBass]

My garage is 21'6". I am shopping boats, but the length of my garage is constraining what I think I can look at to basically 18" or shorter.

How do you guys store your boats during the season and in the winter? 

This, but 19'6" and 92" wide.  That $44/month facility sounds reasonable though.  Where's that at?

[dartag]

I do my own shrink wrap on my Ranger and Pontoon boat every year.  Costs about 30.00 for each boat.  I put in anti mold packs and have never had a problem.  Heated indoor would be nice so I could go visit it a couple times a winter.  I know it misses me...

[bob o]

if you go with a storage lot or enclosed uint don't forget about some electric power to recharge your batteries.

[fiker]

First I winterize the engine, and hook up trickle chargers to the batteries. 
I jack up the trailer and put a log under the front end.  I can then take the weight off of the trailer jack.  Then it gets stored outside next to the Garage.
I prop open all the hatches just a little bit using short pieces of pvc.  I put dryer sheets in the compartments to deter any critters that might find their way in.
I build an A frame over the top of the boat and trailer and cover the A frame with brown poly tarp.  I tie off the bottom to the trailer.   I leave just a little opening at the top for some air to get in and out.  The skeleton of the frame is made of PVC pipe that I've used for years. 

When the snow gets bad, I go out and brush it off the cover so that it doesn't stretch the poly.

I've been doing it this way for about 15 years and have never had any issues. 

[Got Fish??]

I run the gas out as I fog the engine. Then pull my batteries and change lower unit lube. Then I back it into the garage. If you choose to store boat out side. Take into consideration shrink wrap, it's worth every Pennie.

[6 lb Smallmouth]

Interesting thread.

I am in the process of moving and after looking at so many houses with many 21' garages it has come down to 2 houses.  One has a 2-car, 23' garage and a side-drive that would easily fit a boat but the house needs more work and it backs up to a busy street.  The other house has a 2-car, 21' garage and no side drive but the interior layout and basement are fantastic.  I think my agent is dumbfounded why I like the house with the bigger garage but he just doesn't understand fishermen.  We have made a bid on the bigger house/smaller garage and I suspect it gets agreed to by the end of the day.  I'll be adding on to the driveway in the future for winter boat storage.  My wife has already said that I can tilt the boat during the fishing season as long as her car is garaged in the winter. 

Like Tim, being able to put the boat in the garage after a day of fishing is extremely important.  I used to store my boat outside and I hated coming home and having to spend 15 minutes covering the boat and removing valuables.  With a garage, I back in, plug in, and shut the door.  But I am jealous of all you guys with big garages! 

[TimH]

Very true about real estate agents not understanding fisherman.  When I bought my house over 10 years ago, my realtor seemed confused when he asked or cities I was interested in looking in and I responded with, "doesn't matter as long as its not more than a 10 minute drive from a boat launch on Lake St. Clair."
I do wish I had a bigger garage, but fortunately my wife is very understanding and has stayed true to her words when we first bought the house, and that was that she doesn't care if she parks outside since she knew how bad I wanted the garage to be my shop and boat area.  Half my garage is set up for boat storage, and the other half is my workshop...and she has never complained once.  The key to keeping things this way is I start her car every morning that its cold outside, and brush the snow off everytime it snows.  Sure its cold and takes me a few extra minutes, but those minutes get me the garage set up I want, and without the grief too.

[6 lb Smallmouth]

Very true about real estate agents not understanding fisherman.  When I bought my house over 10 years ago, my realtor seemed confused when he asked or cities I was interested in looking in and I responded with, "doesn't matter as long as its not more than a 10 minute drive from a boat launch on Lake St. Clair."
I do wish I had a bigger garage, but fortunately my wife is very understanding and has stayed true to her words when we first bought the house, and that was that she doesn't care if she parks outside since she knew how bad I wanted the garage to be my shop and boat area.  Half my garage is set up for boat storage, and the other half is my workshop...and she has never complained once.  The key to keeping things this way is I start her car every morning that its cold outside, and brush the snow off everytime it snows.  Sure its cold and takes me a few extra minutes, but those minutes get me the garage set up I want, and without the grief too.

10 minutes from LSC?  I would be the happiest guy around if I lived that close.  Living outside of Chicago, I have always been disappointed with my local fishing options. 

Starting the car is a great deal for you!!  Any thought to getting an automatic car starter?  Less than $200. 

[Hollada]

Thanks for all the responses.  I hate to let the length of my garage dictate the boat I get so I need to decide if I'm comfortable leaving it out side (also need to check with the neighborhood association to see if it would violate some rule).   

My kayak is looking better.

Dan