As a boat owner, you have numerous options on how to store your craft during the off-season. Do you opt for indoor or outdoor storage? Tarp or shrink wrap? DYI or trust the experts?
Add other factors such as cost, protection and safety, and you can see there are many options to consider.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all boat storage options are considered equal. Different solutions will work for different boaters based on budget, type of boat and even location. Yet there are some common misconceptions about boat storage. Total Care breaks down some of these truths and myths.
Indoor boat storage is expensive
Myth
Shrink wrapping costs up to $25 per foot. For a 23-foot boat, that means costs upward of $550.
Outdoor boat storage can cost another $80-$90 per month. Combined, you’re now looking at costs of $150 per month. And if you’re hauling your boat home during the off-season, there’s additional wear and tear on your vehicle – not to mention higher fuel costs.
Total Care offers indoor storage for as little as $160 per month including winterization, detailing and pickup/delivery, making it more affordable than outdoor alternatives. The best part is the facility is located just minutes from the lake!
Winterizing involves more than storage
Truth
Storing your boat during the off-season is only part of the equation. You also need to prep your craft for the colder winter months to avoid fading, corrosion, mechanical failures and costly repair bills.
Be sure to flush water out of the cooling system that could otherwise freeze or damage the engine, exhaust and heat exchanger. Fill up the gas tank to avoid condensation. Change out dirty oil. If applicable, remove the propellers to clear debris from the prop shaft.
Inside the boat, wipe down the upholstery and sun shades, applying a fabric guard to repel water. Now is also the time to scrub the decks.
Shrink wrapping is fail-safe
Myth
While shrink wrapping is a step above traditional covers in preventing precipitation buildup, it has its limitations. If your boat is not completely dry, polyethylene wraps can trap moisture that causes mildew and mold. Adding vents can exacerbate the problem by allowing moisture to enter under the protective wrap. And installing access points that allows you to still work on the boat in the off-season comes with added costs.
In addition, not all boats can be wrapped because it can damage painted finishes. In these cases, you can still wrap the top. Yet not having that perfect seal around the entire boat minimizes the wrap’s true effectiveness.
Indoor boat storage offers the best protection
Truth
An indoor storage facility is best suited to protect your boat from elements such as snow, rain, dust, wind and sunlight, therefore reducing the probability of fading, mold, mildew and dust build-up.
A dry facility also minimizes oxidation to the hull’s gel coat, mitigates rust and extends the life of canvas covers – not to mention providing a safe and secure environment for your boat.
All indoor boat storage is the same
Myth
Storage providers in B.C. and Alberta offer different levels of services. When shopping around, pay special attention to the structure storing your boat. Is it load-rated to handle the snow that comes with our Canadian winters? If you plan to work on your boat over the winter, is it climate controlled?
How else is your boat being protected? Is the facility just padlocked? Or is it surrounded by a perimeter fence? A reputable indoor boat storage facility should have 24/7 alarm monitoring and video surveillance, too.
Total Care’s dry and dust-free structure offers peace of mind for boat owners looking for indoor storage in the Columbia Valley. Located just five minutes from the Invermere boat launch, the facility is monitored by 24/7 alarm, security cameras and perimeter fence locks. Reserve your spot today.