Boat Storage

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Boat Storage

Boating is a leisurely activity enjoyed by many and typically refers to the recreational use of boats powered by motors, sail or paddle. Sports activities have also generated from boating such as fishing, waterskiing, whitewater rafting and more.

Boating is an extremely popular activity and is enjoyed by millions of boaters worldwide. As a result of the population’s love for boats, boat storage has become an industry with high demand. Some options available in boat storage include on-water storage in places such as ports or marinas and also land storage in places such as mini storage, garages and other lots.

Many homeowners’ associations do not allow boat storage on streets or driveways and secondary boat storage locations are necessary for boaters. The hassle and eye-soar of parking your boat in your garage or yard is also motivational for many people to seek out an off-site location to store their boat. Towing a boat to and from vacation areas is also a hassle that boat owners want to avoid and so they may elect to use boat storage somewhere closer to their vacation spot.

The small detail of where to park your boat when you’re not zipping around on the waves is not an obstacle that keeps many boaters off of the water. Boating activities are as varied as the boats and boaters who participate. Recreational boats fall into many categories, one of which is bound to appeal to most everyone.

Paddleboats include flatwater boats for lakes, swiftwater boats for rivers, and ocean going type boats, usually with covered-cockpits.

Canoes are popular on lakes and rivers due to their carrying capacity and efficiency on the water. They are also easy to carry over land in order to go around rapids or to carry from a car or cabin. Canoes most commonly seat one to four people as well as other bags or gear. Boaters may allow the current to carry them where it may or paddle using oars to power the boat.

Canoes are often used in combination with camping and have become a popular pastime in the Northern America. Because canoes can easily carry camping and hiking equipment, and are easily transportable, the combination of canoeing and camping creates an enjoyable experience for any outdoorsmen.

Canoes are easily to navigate and thus an inexperienced boater will become an expert at canoeing in no time.

Kayaks are a favorite recreational boat for oceans, rivers and lakes. Ocean going kayaks are usually made with a covered cockpit for the boater to sit in while river or lake kayaks allow the boater to sit atop the kayak. Kayaks are typically a one man boat and use a double-ended oar to maneuver the vessel.

Whitewater rafting is a recreational activity performed in varying degrees of rough water in order to thrill and excite passengers. Like all wilderness sports, rafting has to balance the conflict between nature and man. Because of problems or danger, some rivers have regulations on them or specific seasons of operations. Safety is important in any boating activity, but even more so when whitewater rafting. Rafting with experienced guides is the safest way to avoid danger however, most rafting outfitters require customers to sign a waiver form indicating they understand and accept the risks.

The gondola is a famous pleasure craft in Venice that was once the chief means of transportation to the city. Today, gondola tours are a main attraction of the city’s romantic and historical traditions.

The Bateau is a shallow craft formerly used on rivers such as the James River in Virginia to transport tobacco and other cargo. The log boat is an historic boat made from hollowing out trees or made from planks of wood. Other paddleboats include the Durham Boat, rowboat, outrigger canoe, raft, and the pirogue which is primarily used to travel around the marshes of Louisiana.

Paddleboats are relatively small when compared to other water vessels. These smaller boats can often be stored in garages, larger boats or small storage units and do not require docking in marinas. They are easily carried in and out of the water by one or two people and may be transported on top of vehicles.

Sailing is the art of controlling the motion of a sailing vessel by adjusting the rigging and rudder. A sailor manages the force of wind in the sails in order to change the direction and speed of the boat.

Sailing can be competitive, as in racing, or purely recreational as when sailing with family or friends. Small sailboats are commonly made from fiberglass with wooden or aluminum spars and a sloop rig. Racing dinghies have a tendency to be lighter, have more sail area, and may use a trapeze to allow crewmembers more stability. Daysailers are wider across the beam and have greater accommodation space but also a slower speed. Cruising sailboats have more width, but speed increases as they tend to be made much longer and balance the ratio of length and width.

There are many other types of sailboats, some of which include the felucca, yawl, sharpie, skiff, cutter, catboat, and the catamaran consisting of two hulls joined by a frame.

Sailboats may be docked in ports or marinas. Tying off at the dock or marina is usually in high demand and may be more expensive and so they are also commonly stored on land at boat storage facilities in indoor garage units or in covered or outdoor parking spaces. Many businesses near popular lakes or rivers are devoted solely to boat storage and provide the safest environment to store boats.

Motorboats and engine powered boats come in many sizes and offer endless options in style and use. These boats are designed for day-sailing as well as weekend  vacations and long-term living.

Engine-powered boats are typically used for a recreational day out on the water or in many cases, used to race, water ski, parasail and tow other smaller boats. The Go-fast boat is used in many races and is popular for waterskiing races.

A padded V-hull is a high performance watercraft that comes in varying configurations designed purely for racing to that of a recreational craft. This boat uses hydrodynamic pressure to ride higher in the water and as the boat’s speed increases, water pressure builds up on the flat surface of the pad causing it to ride higher. At low speeds, the hull rides the same as a regular V-hull. This boat is built for speed. They are commonly stored at docks along coastlines and in marinas. However, because they are usually transported for racing, they are often stored on trailers or rented parking spaces at self storage facilities.

Powerboats are a small speedboat designed to move quickly, used in races, for pulling water skiers, as patrol boats, and as fast-moving army attack vessels by the military. They are easily taken in and out of the water and are most commonly stored on land in garages, rented parking spaces or covered parking.

A rigid-hulled inflatable boat is a light weight but high performance and high capacity boat constructed of a solid, shaped hull and flexible tubes at the gunwale. This boat is a favorite of boaters and water skiers.

Large-body motor propelled boats are ideal for a day of luxury or extended cruising. Yachts typically include an open deck as well as covered quarters housing bedding and a restroom. They may accommodate parties ranging from 2 to 200 or more guests, depending on the craft. These boats are most commonly kept in the water and stored at personal docks or marinas.

A cabin cruiser generally features 2 to 3 sleeping areas, a galley and a separate head with a shower. These boats are used for staying onboard from one night to a week or longer. They are typically kept at a dock when not in use.

Houseboats are designed or modified to be the primary dwelling place of the boater. They are typically unpowered since they are usually moored in a fixed location along with other houseboats. A few houseboats are capable of traveling however, most often only at low speeds. These boats are rarely ever taken out of the water.

Jetskis are almost a must-have for any boater looking for a thrill ride. They are also commonly rented at lakes and resorts. They typically seat one to two people. These watercrafts are propelled by water jets which rapidly expel water behind them in a jet. They can be stored on larger boats and are also easily stored in garages, parking spaces and storage units. Jetboats are also propelled by water ejected from the back of the craft. These boats are designed to carry more persons than the smaller jetski.

Fishing has long been a leisurely pastime and has also become a rival sport, with tournament held at various lakes, rivers and oceans. Fishing boats are designed with the body of water in mind. A river or lake boat may be a simple metal structure, whereas some ocean dwelling fishing boats may have covered or enclosed steering hulls designed to protect the driver from the spray of the waves.

A johnboat is designed to float in both shallow and deeper water and typically holds two riders. These boats usually have a small motor and troll, designed for quietly and slowly maneuvering in the water.

The boating industry has designed specific watercraft that are species-specific to allow anglers the greatest advantage when fishing for walleye, salmon, trout, bass, etc. as well as generic fishing craft.  These fishing boats are easily taken in and out of the water and allow an avid fisherman the freedom to fish in any stream, lake or river with enough room to back the boat into. They are easily stored on trailers, driveways, garages, parking spaces and storage units.

No matter what your forte for boating, be it sports, competition or pleasure, your watercraft is a valuable vessel. Proper maintenance and safe boat storage are as important as how fast it races from one coastline to another.

The smallest boasts and kayaks may simply be carried by hand or by lashing it atop an automobile. The small boats are often stored at home or in small storage units. Some marinas offer overnight or long-term storage to larger boats. These marinas often offer a mooring, protected from the weather.

A more recent form of boat storage is rack storage where boats are stored in steel frames and stacked four or five boats high and sometimes 25 boats across. These racks are housed in sheds and large, specialized fork trucks are used to lift the boats to and from the racks. This reduces the amount of horizontal space needed for boat storage and also provides a clean environment, away from the weather, in which the boats are housed.

Dry storage, or land storage, are also options for many boat owners. Storing on the land eliminated some of the maintenance associated with continual water storage such as bottom growth. Land storage also offers more protection from weather than most in-water marinas or docks.

Some marinas offer dry storage, where boats are stored on trailers or dollies on the land. Many yacht clubs also offer a fenced area where boats are stored near the water. Boats stored in dry storage are either launched into the water from a ramp or hoisted into the water.

When considering the best place to store your watercraft you must weigh many factors in your mind such as the ease of getting to and from the storage location to the water, how varied your travel will be to different bodies of water, the protection from the weather, the protection from other boats or people, your budget, and the availability of the storage options you’re considering. In any case, your boat must sit somewhere when you’re not entertaining, relaxing or partying on it. Boat storage is a necessity for all boaters. Most boatowners value their watercraft just below their home and perhaps above their cars. Choosing the best location for boat storage is an important decision that can impact the lifespan and condition of your watercraft.

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