Why Covered Storage Areas Reduce Damage Risks for Stored Boats

Owning a boat is unlike owning anything else that you have likely owned. While for the right owners, they can provide a lot of enjoyment, the fact of the matter is that they usually cost a fortune not only in the initial purchase, but also for the upkeep and storage. To ensure that your (probably pretty pricey) pride and joy remains in tip-top condition, you must keep your boat stored appropriately and securely.

In this post, we are looking at the primary reasons that covered storage should be your go-to option when selecting a marina or storage facility to keep your boat safe when not in use.

Common Damage Risks For Stored Boats

To fully get to grips with why the choice of your storage is so critical, it’s worthwhile understanding some of the most common risks that boats can face. As you might realize from the title of this article, selecting the most appropriate boat storage option will ultimately include keeping it covered, and if you choose the right storage facility, you can avoid or at least mitigate many of the following risks. So, from environmental damage to human error, let’s see what risks you will face from failing to ensure your vessel is correctly stored.

Environmental Factors

Regardless of whether you live in a location with very little humidity or are located in an area that experiences high levels of inclement weather, the natural environment has a habit of degrading boats of all sizes. The factors that cause the most damage include:

• UV rays: Ultraviolet rays are terrible for your skin, and equally as awful for your little boat. Although UV radiation tends to only cause cosmetic damage, it can spoil certain materials over time, causing them to become brittle. Even if you don’t think you care too much about how your boat looks, you’d be surprised at just how old UV rays can make things look in a very short amount of time.
• Rain: You might believe that just because a boat has been designed to be watertight and used on water, that it’s safe from something as menial as a bit of rain. While this is true to a certain degree, if left outside in the rain for too long, you risk the rainwater seeping into every nook and cranny, which could eventually wreak havoc. You also run the risk of unsightly mold and stains appearing out of nowhere. Rain can also cause all sorts of damage to exposed electrical systems.
• Snow/ ice: Snow and ice cause similar levels of damage as rainwater, except they cause more aggressive damage when the water gets into a gap and expands as it freezes.

Biological And Pest-Related Issues

We touched on rain causing mold and mildew to appear already, but leaving your boat exposed to the elements for any length of time can attract rodents. And the last thing you want to be doing before you set out on a voyage is removing them, or even spending far too long figuring out which wires a rat has chosen to chew through (and which are almost always in the most inaccessible locations).

Human And Accidental Risks

As much as we hate to say it, some folks are simply jealous of success and will do anything to those they perceive as flaunting their wealth. This can manifest in a range of ways, but usually through some kind of vandalism. And it’s really no fun bringing the family for a day out on the lake or sea only to find that your boat has been damaged in one way or another. Aside from intentional damage, uncovered boats risk damage from accidental impacts or other boat users in the area.

How Covered Storage Mitigates These Risks

Choosing to invest in a covered storage solution can help to reduce and, in some cases, eliminate all of those risks. 

Additional Benefits

All of the advantages we just noted about opting to cover your vessel while stored have mainly been directed towards the boat itself and mitigating the usual problems facing boat owners who leave their crafts exposed. However, several additional advantages make the investment even more worthwhile:

1. Long-term cost efficiency: Although you will inevitably need to spend a little more to store your boat than if you were to simply leave it floating in the water, this is typically more than offset by the savings you find from the maintenance and repair costs connected to exposure.
2. Convenience: Having your boat stored in a facility with a covered roof means that you can prepare for a voyage in comfort and perform any maintenance without worrying about the weather. It also makes it easier to jump in your boat and get on the open waters far faster, since there will generally be less prep in terms of cleaning and sorting things out.

Being a boat owner has plenty of upsides, including the freedoms that come from being your own captain, the fun you can experience with family and friends, and the satisfaction that comes from keeping your vessel in great condition. However, without storing them correctly, you risk turning what ought to be a brilliant experience into an expensive chore full of regret.

Trending Now: Must-Have Boat Gear for Your Boat Life

Trending Now: Custom Boat Decor