WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With winter moving in, it’s time to decide where to store your boat. GEICO and BoatUS can help you make that decision with the following information.
Your driveway
Pro - Most boat owners prefer to save as much money as possible.
Storing your boat on a trailer in your driveway doesn't cost a thing and
it’s easy to do winter maintenance.
Con - However, the
biggest drawback of this type of outdoor storage is that your boat will
be exposed to harsh weather and the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can rot
trailer tires. A boat stored in the open is also more vulnerable to
theft or vandalism. A good cover is a must for any boat stored outside.
Your garage
Pro - To avoid the outdoor hazards, some boat owners choose to
move their boat into the garage where you don’t have to pay winter
storage fees. It’s safer than your driveway because your boat
won’t be a target for theft, exposure to the weather, nosy critters, or
falling tree limbs.
Con - In order to fit your trailer in
the garage, you may need to install a removable or foldable trailer
tongue. Of course your vehicle may also have to a find a new winter home.
At the marina or your own slip
Pro - Avid boaters sometimes choose to dock their boats in the
water at a marina. When the weather warms ups, the boat is ready to go.
Con
- The downside is that unless you own the dock yourself, you’ll have
to budget for marina fees. And keep in mind that whenever your boat is
stored in the water, you are in a pitched battle to keep it afloat.
Heavy snows or clogged deck drains can conspire to sink a boat. Many
marinas also offer a less expensive option for on-land storage for
trailer boats.
Dry rack boat storage
Pro - An increasing number of boats are being stored ashore on
marina dry storage racks using forklifts to arrange the boats. If it’s
an indoor dry storage facility, your boat will be protected from the
weather. Dry rack storage also allows you to have the facility launch
your boat for you whenever the weather warms up.
Con -
However, there is a cost for the convenience and protection this storage
option offers.
Self-storage facility
Pro - Almost anywhere you live, you can choose to keep your boat
at an indoor or outdoor self-storage facility for the winter.
Con
- While self-storage may be less expensive than dry rack storage, it
may be located farther from the water and you’ll need to be aware of any
theft issues. Prices vary, so it pays to shop around.
About BoatUS
Celebrating 50 years in 2016, BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside trailer breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, TowBoatUS brings boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS Marine Insurance Program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com.
About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in 1936, provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 14 million private passenger customers, insuring more than 23 million vehicles (auto & cycle). For more information, go to www.geico.com.
