Store Your Boat
Why It's Important To Store Your Boat
Whether you’re taking an extended vacation away from home or you’re preparing for the off-season, you might be wondering whether or not you should put your boat in storage. While there is a lot of debate on this topic, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Your boat is likely one of your most prized possessions, so why risk it? Read on to learn more about why it’s important to store your boat.
Prevent Damage
One of the main reasons you should consider storing your boat is to prevent damage. All sorts of mishaps can occur when your boat isn’t properly stored. When boating season is in full swing and you hit the water regularly, you notice small details. When you’re not visiting your craft as often, these small issues may evolve into much bigger problems.
Let’s not forget that if a storm hits and your boat isn’t stored, it could suffer some serious damage. Even a bit of inclement weather could cause problems, which is why it’s important to store your boat when you’re away. Let’s not forget about barnacles! If you’re not familiar, these water-borne pests are determined to make the hull of your boat their new home. If you neglect them long enough, they can cause significant damage and lead to expensive repair bills.
Avoid Theft
An unattended boat is more vulnerable than you might think. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), there were more than 5,000 watercraft thefts in 2015 and only 42% were recovered. When your boat is safely and securely stored, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that it won’t be stolen.
Storage Options
The good news is that you have plenty of boat storage options to choose from. Some boaters simply keep their vessel parked in the driveway, which still has some risks. If you don’t want to pay for storage and this is your only option, just make sure your boat is properly covered. Storms can still damage your boat, so you may need to move it if the forecast predicts bad weather. Also, there won’t be much security for your boat, so beware of the potential for theft.
If you’re lucky enough to have access to a large garage, this is a great option for long-term storage. Make sure you still apply a breathable cover to prevent critter infestations. This will also help protect your boat from temperature fluctuations.
If you don’t have access to a garage, you can always choose to store your boat at a secure facility. Some locations offer dry rack boat storage, which is offered both indoors and outdoors. Keep in mind that once your boat is stored, it can be difficult to gain access to it. Be sure you have everything you need before putting your boat in storage.
Self-storage facilities are another option, which may be more readily available depending on where you live. There’s no special equipment or structure used to store your boat, so it’s easy to put it in storage and access it when you need to.
We hope this information has been useful. If you have any questions or if you’d like to speak with one of our service professionals, be sure to get in touch. Prospect Point Boat Yards is conveniently located in Lake Hopatcong, NJ, near Hackettstown. We also serve the Parsippany-Troy Hills area.