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Self Storage for Your Boat: What You Need to Know

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When winter hits, many boat owners are utilizing self-storage facilities in order to protect their boat from the harsh weather. However, this is also an option for those boat owners who may not have enough room at their present location to store their boat. In either case, having a self storage unit is a great way to ensure your boat (which was a huge investment) is protected from the elements and safe. Many boat owners in our area have utilized our Chino Hills Self Storage, Harbour Point Self Storage, and our Green Valley Road Self Storage units in the past and presently! 

Tips for Boat Safety and Storage

For those who are considering self storage for their boats, there are a few tips that you are going to want to keep in mind. These tips are meant to help ensure you are getting the most out of your storage unit!

  1. A great idea is to store the boat on the trailer that you use when hauling it to the lake, river or the lake. Why? It makes it much easier to back the boat into the self storage parking space and then remove it when you are ready to use it. This is a common method that boat owners use when they are storing their boat for the offseason or just weekend to weekend.
  2. If you are storing the boat for the winter, you should still consider using a winter cover. Many boat owners will purchase a custom winter cover, while others may use their own cover. As a related note, our Harbour Point Self Storage facility offers covered boat and RV parking spaces, great for shielding your boat from the sun (in the summer) and rain (in the winter).
  3. Before storing your boat for a long period of time, be sure to wipe the boat down to remove water and any salt that may be on the boat. You don’t want to come back in to find your boat has a mildew-like smell from water drying and not being cleaned properly. (If you've got a little extra time, you may want to consider a "boat detail" including polishing and waxing, leather cleaning and protecting, and even teak wood cleaning and sealing.)
  4. Be sure to remove any electronics or food items that you may have on the boat that can be removed. You do not want to leave food in the boat as you may attract mice into your investment! And, electronics are known for not performing well once the weather has turned colder.
  5. Disconnect the battery on your boat if you are going to be storing it for the season. Remember, your boat is much like a car, and mechanics always recommend disconnecting the battery for extended periods of time of not driving.
  6. You may want to remove any fabrics for the boat as well. These are also something that can attract mice and other rodents. Even if there is a fitted cover over the boat, critters can still get to these items and destroy them.
  7. Most boat owners make sure that their boats are stored with a full tank of gas and the right amount of fuel stabilizer when they are putting these up for the season. They also ensure that the coolant system is up to par for the weather and they change the oil and the filter. These are just handy little ways to ensure that your boat is ready to go when you arrive to pick it back up.
  8. Open the drains on the boat to help prevent freezing when the weather turns colder.
  9. Be sure to consider what size of storage space you need. Boats come in an array of shapes and sizes. You do not want a unit that is too small, as it will be impossible to get your boat into the spae. Nor do you want a unit that is too big, as you will feel as though you have wasted your money on jumbo storage space.

Make the Most of Your Boat Parking Space

When you travel with your boat, are there other pieces of equipment that you travel with? For example, many boat owners often having fishing gear, coolers and other items that are almost always in their boats when they travel. If so, you may want to rent a self storage unit, in addition to your boat parking space.

A small self storage unit is perfect for all of your outdoor gear. (In fact, our very own Mount Hermon Road Self Storage wrote a neat blog post about Self Storage For Your Outdoor Gear.) It can make things much easier when the weather gets warmer and you are ready to take the boat out onto the water! Our customers view Smart Self Storage as an extension of their home, and we are lucky to have many outdoor enthusiasts utilize our facilities.

Once you have decided to store your boat in a self storage unit, be sure that you are taking all the precautions necessary to ensure the boat is safe. This is a huge investment and having the proper self storage is just one way that you are keeping your boat safe. A few last tips to remember:

  1. If you have a cover on your boat, make sure to tie it on with a durable lock. If you also rent a self storage unit, make sure to use a lock that is durable and strong. We offer a variety of locks for purchase, and our on-site manager can help you find the perfect one for your unit.
  2. Double check that you have the boat ready for a long storage period. If you must, talk with someone else about what they do to their boat before storing this for a long period of time. 
  3. There are items that you need to avoid storing that could attract rodents, such as food items…this is for the health of your own items, as well as those that are near yours!
  4. Consider using a fog spray on the boat's engine to winterize your boat's motor.

You are always welcome to come and check on the boat whenever you may feel the need. While you may not be storing at this home, you can rest assure that the boat is in a great place and will be back to fun once you decide to get it back on the water! At Smart Self Storage, we are an extension of your home. We truly love our communities, and are here to exceed your expectations. Please call one of our facilities today!

About the Author: Lark Begin is the president of Profit Parrot Marketing; an SEO marketing, content and social media company in the Ottawa area. Lark is well established in the realm of digital marketing and is dedicated to helping multiple professional local and international websites and brands grow an online presence and succeed.

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P.O. Box 7227 Van Nuys, CA 91409

747-233-5768