Indoor Boat Storage: PROS and CONS

[@Nezzer57]

Really informative vid, thanks 👍

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Glad it was helpful. Cheers.

[@chrism2042]

I have looked at indoor boat storage, my thing is for people using trolling motors, charging the batteries while in storage. The cost is high, but compared to the nightmare at public ramps, especially on weekends! I pay for a private marina membership which is only somewhat busy on holiday weekends, most days if I go during the week, I have ramp to myself launching and loading. But that cost over $2k annually.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Yeah I can see how wanting to be plugged in could be an issue. I know dry rack storage offers that but did t know it was an extra fee. How much extra you think?

[@chrism2042]

@@CaribbeanCastaways - Have not checked. But running a 24' bay boat and using the trolling motor 90% of fishing trips, the charging is a must. I keep mine on the trailer and use my marina membership for now but as I get older, may not want to deal with launching and loading a 24' boat solo, friends are not always available to go. Also looked at slip rentals where I can install a jet dock.

[@matty6212]

@@chrism2042 Have you tried an "on the run charger"? Depends on the kind of boating you do but that keeps me topped off enough to where I don't need to charge it that often. When it does need to be charged I keep it on the wash rack overnite and plug it in, but every marina is different. So far that method has worked out pretty good for me.

[@chrism2042]

@@matty6212 - That would work when I go out trolling, but many of my days fishing may be running 30 minutes, fishing with trolling motor for hours and run 30 minutes back. Another negative is sometimes I can't go fishing but once every couple weeks. I have thought about installing a Power Pole charge that will send the charge to the battery/batteries needed, house batteries or the 36v lithium to keep them topped off.

[@lynnblankenship7326]

Good video and agree with all your points. My boat is stored in a fully enclosed barn but with the diesel forklifts I almost always have a bunch of black soot to wash off the boat every time I go out. I do like the security and the automatic hurricane storage. I'm up in the panhandle of Florida in Destin with a 29' LOA boat. With discounts I'm paying 950 a month without would put me over 1k a month so it seems we may be a little more expensive up here. The convenience is what's currently keeping me there.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Thanks for sharing your cost and experience. It's funny, our last boat was in the back of the barn. Less forklift traffic so less soot, but more bird shit. Now it's in the front, way more soot, no bird shit.

[@gregorymcfarland8413]

Very informative, and helpful thank you!

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

@@gregorymcfarland8413 my pleasure!

[@matty6212]

You nailed it! Just a few things to add, every marina is different as mentioned. At my marina (clearwater, FL we will call it) T-Tops are an extra charge at a lot of places. Also, the length of the boat isn't what the manufacture says. It's tip to tip. Add extra from the motors sticking out past the end of the boat, trolling motors, windlass - tip to tip. Full disclosure, I'm paying 480 a month in a totally closed barn for a Key West 239 FS with a T-Top. No where close to being as nice as where you are, but still - It's not cheap.. Also in the barn, they are metal. In a saltwater environment. I've had little pieces for 'roof' fall on my boat. And you thought the top rack was the best place huh? I also have certain days I can tinker with my boat. Want to mess with it on labor day weekend (or any weekend)? NOPE! Only on slow days can I tinker with the boat on a work rack. My friend that is outside, he can tinker with his at any time. I forgot my tackle on my boat one day, wound up missing a fishing trip because I couldn't get to my boat in time. That sucked. A good pro of being in the marina for us is I have young kids, no way can I keep an eye on them and deal with a boat ramp by myself. Days I'm alone, I still have the option to take the kids on a nice boat ride! It's a ton of money and I'm very thankful I can afford it, but to me it is worth having the marina over dealing with a boat ramp. 100% agree the ultimate dream is having it just outside my house!

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Thanks for the extra info. I have heard that t-top thing before now that I think about it. True in the length at my marina goes by LOA, total length including engine and bow extensions. Thanks again!

[@SailStillwater]

Great video!

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Thanks guys!

[@SaltlifeLivn]

Great Video, we have a horrible issue with birds dropping their stuff up here in Jersey. But our weekend warriors love the fact that their boats are secure when they head home for the week!! Happy Labor Day Ya'll #boatstorage

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

We had that issue too. Tried rubber snakes and it actually got worse. They moved the boat by the main door with more forklift traffic we haven't had an issue since.

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Hey! Email me your address for a free koozie! [e-mail]

[@scottdavis6268]

In spite of the expense, the work the marina does for you seems worth it. Since my boat is a 10 ft kayak, I'm boating on a budget but I can dream...

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

My first boat was a kayak too. Good adventures can be had on them. Cheers!

[@deanwolf9876]

Great tips, sorry but if I win the lottery my boat would not fit a Salty Sam’s!😬

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

lol, neither would mine. Cheers!

[@Bonsai-Miata2020]

Always wonder how people can say the economy is not good and yet people can store their boats these cost. Still to have fuel and up keep. Im thinking lot's of debt????

[@CaribbeanCastaways]

Everyone has a different situation. For us, we prioritize boating and that life. We drive older paid off cars and spend extra income on boating. There's always trade offs. But to get out on the water is a trade we'd gladly make.

[@chrism2042]

For some people, sure, they are hoping to make it month to month but continue doing it. For many, they can afford it and don't mind spending the money on it.