Whether you own a sailboat, motorboat, cabin cruiser, or another recreational watercraft, the vessel does not have to sit in your yard during the off-season. If you do not want to keep the watercraft docked, consider the perks of boat storage. There are many excellent reasons to place the vessel at your local storage facility. 

What Are the Reasons to Utilize Boat Storage?

1. Allows the Boat to Dry Out

Prevent your boat from becoming waterlogged with off-season storage. A boat that’s put in dry dock on an annual basis takes about one month to dry out, whereas a boat that’s been in the water for several years can take three months or more to dry. Scrape debris from the bottom once the watercraft dries, then apply one coat of primer and three coats of paint to seal it. 

2. Protects From the Elements

Use boat storage services to protect the vessel from UV rays and storm damage. UV rays cause sails to fade, and wooden parts to dry out and possibly crack. 

Storm winds and rains can also damage an exposed boat, such as tree branch-related destruction and cabin flooding from a compromised hatch. By putting the boat in storage, you eliminate unnecessary element damage. 

3. Prevents Pest Infestations

Keep your boat at a storage facility instead of on your property so it doesn’t attract pests. Mice, rats, insects, and even possums and raccoons can infiltrate the watercraft looking for shelter and food. 

They can stain the vessel with their waste, chew on electrical wiring, and build nests. Rather than turning your boat into the local creature hotel, place it in storage. 

4. Provides More Yard Space

Transfer the boat from your yard to a storage facility and enjoy the extra space. Use it for anything you want, such as a flower garden, patio, or hardscape feature, like a water fountain. 

If the boat was in your driveway, you’ll get that space back for your vehicles or the cars and trucks of visiting loved ones. Watercraft storage might also be necessary for HOA reasons. 

Discuss your boat storage needs with the team at Dooley’s Boat & RV Storage. The storage facility in Cropwell, AL, offers convenient services for local RV and watercraft owners and is only minutes from the boat launches around Logan Martin Lake. Call (205) 405-2633 today for more information or send a message online.