Outside Dry storage vs. Covered dry storage in Fl.

[Jim White]

I have a 25 foot Parker WA and am deciding if I want to store my boat in a covered rack or in an outside rack. I live in Florida and am worried about weather damage in an outside rack. The storage fee is considerably less for an outside rack. I have a hard top on the boat with no canvas. How much waxing will I have to do to protect the gel coat? Are there other potential problems with outside storage?

[seabreze53]

Hello, Jim. I've got my boat stored on an outside rack, and it works great for me. I have flybridge and cockpit covers for it, and the "inside storage" where I am is in four level metal buildings, that don't give a lot of protection anyway. I have access to my boat anytime to work on it. Two big problems I've seen with the inside multi-level storage is rust from the upper racks falling on boats, and leakage from drive units on the upper boats.

[Enough Already]

Can't speak to comparison, but I have my Grady on an outside rack which has a roof, but no sides. Due to my wide beam and hardtop, I usually get a top bunk, which keeps me clean from bilge drip downs, rust from above, etc. My marina removes all drain plugs to allow rainwater to drain out of the boats. If you are stuck below a dirty bilge boat and a big rain comes around, you could be in for a messy surprise. Other thing to consider is where your marina is located. If you are under the approach path for an airport or if there is lots of local construction, your boat will get dirty very fast. Even in a relatively "clean" location such as mine in Boca Raton, I need to do a quick pre-wash if the boat has been sitting for a few days.

[mbb]

I know covered rack storage can be tough to swallow, but the #1 enemy of your boat
is the good ol sun. Keep the sun off and the boat will look new 10 yrs from now. leave it out in the sun and everything plastic, rubber, etc will be gone and the boat will look like crap.

[Fishing-Rod]

I once asked a boat surveyorwhat was the best way to keep up the value of my boat. His answer was to keep it out of the water and keep it out of the sun.

Thanks, Fishing-Rod

[Hub]

Outside...it's cheaper but buy a cover!

[SeaJay]

Thus the moral is keep it covered indoors and never use it so that it stays dry. Will remain perfect for years to come.

[grumpy]

Im curious in racking of your boats was any damage to boats by lifting boats in and out of the water.And trim tabs,transducers ,ect damaged?Im relocateing to venice area and seems only space is dry docking? Thanks Doug

[Bamboozle]

Jim, Have a cover made for your boat and it should keep it very nice.

Grumpy, Yes you can have damage done to almost anything by the lift operators. I had a stepped hull and every time they took it out there was damage to one of the steps. If you leave your trim tabs down they can get damaged and it will be your fault. You will have to lower your antennas and outriggers if you have racks above you, if you forget they will not be there next time you see your boat. At a marina here in Miami the lift operator dropped a brand new Contender on top of another boat. You will also have to deal with the grease (Hi and Dry marinas are really dirty)

[MrPat]

Jim, I keep my boat outside on a rack. The rack is on the ground (not multi-story). I used to keep the boat inside on a rack. Inside was more expensive, especially because I had to pay a premium because of the height of my hard top. They could not fit a boat above me. Inside was dirtier, believe it or not. The soot from the diesel fork lift would cover the boat in a week. I would have to wash the boat before I used it. Just spraying with water did not clean the soot off the fiberglass. When I wanted to work on the boat they had to take it out of the building and place it on one of the wash racks.

I moved outside to a ground lever rack to escape the soot, extra $$$, and inconvenience. Yes, I have to wax more often. The boat also gets dirty due to the wind blowing dirt in the yard, but I can rinse this dirt away without washing with soap before I use the boat. Finally I can drive up anytime and work on the boat.

[DOG HOUSE 2]

If your boat is relitively new with a nice gelcoat shine and you want to keep it that way go covered, if you don't all the wax and buffing in the world won't restore that finish after a couple years in the Fl. sun. That said most boaters arn't that fussy, just look around, if you can live with a chalky boat, save some money. Just remember the sun can also raise hell with just about everything in time like vinyl, graphics, electronics, gear etc. And what about re-sale, the Wow! factor when your 6yr. old boat still looks new.

[PlayIn Hooky]

mph01...I am in rack storagein the keys and am looking to move boat back up to the north broward/boca area but am having probelms finding places wiht outside rack storage and the inside costs are outragous. I am curious where you are storing and if you dont mind sharing what you are paying per foot. Thanks

[Doxy]

Wow, good post. Aside from the inconvenience, I would have thought inside storage was preferred down your way, but you guys bring up some great points - probably obvious to you - exhaust emissions and drippage (and $$$). I always figured southern boats wanted to stay out of the sun, but it sounds like you may be better off covering inside as well.

[Enough Already]

PlayIn Hooky - I keep my boat at Pennell's Marina 954-426-2628. Near Hillsboro Road and Dixie Hwy. Nice family owned operation. 20 - 30 minutes from either Boca or Hillsboro inlet. Lowest fixed bridge provides about 10ft. clearance at high tide. Fee was recently raised to $10 a ft (from $9), plus $50 for high hard top, plus $50 for beam over 8'6", plus tax per month. Lots of cash, but still several $$ a foot cheaper than Marina One (premium operation), just down the river. You can get a 10% discount for paying 6 months in advance.

[PlayIn Hooky]

mph01..thanks for the info.. I am paying $10/ft in Islamorada for top rack outside. My only problem is I have a tower and am gonna have to check that 10 ft clearance. I will have to look into it though. How are they about cleaning racks and working on your boat there? I agree Marina One is premium, i lookied into that a while ago and decided my price in the keys way worth the costs savings (they are outrageous on price).

[Enough Already]

PlayIn Hooky - Pennells is open about 363 and 1/2 days a year. Any time between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM (excluding an hour or so around lunch), they will have your boat on a work rack or in the water w/i 30 minutes. No outside contractors allowed beyond manufacturers warranty. You can do just about anything you want to your own boat if you sign a release form They have power and water in multiple locations near the work racks. If you need your boat in the water for an early departure, they will drop it in the night before. If you get back after 4:30, they'll rack it first thing in the AM. They keep an extra set of keys for the after-hours stuff. All pull outs include an outside hull wash. The guys will flush motors for a $5 tip each if you want. After-hours gate access via security card. Not the best neighborhood, but people live on the property with several "guard" dogs that wouldn't hurt a flea, but they will bark. Check it out if the bridge clearance doesn't knock you out.

[miami vice]

Store the boat outside, and with the money you save, have it waxed more often. Gel coat in general is better today than even 10 years ago so if you have a newer boat, and have it waxed twice a year, keeping it outdoors will be OK.
I kept a boat indoors for 20 years and had plenty of bird droppings on my boat from pigeons living in the building. Now I store my boat outdoors on a lift, and I rarely get any bird droppings on my boat.
If you can cover the top of the boat that’s the most important thing. If the hull sides are exposed to the sun but are waxed twice a year they should hold up fine.
Miami Vice