Indoor vs. outdoor storage: what’s best for you?

Every single one of us would love to have that abundant property that not only has a large garage, but a nice pole shed to store all of the toys we have acquired over time. Unfortunately, that is not reality for a lot of anglers/outdoor enthusiasts. Some people are fortunate to have a third stall garage that luckily hasn’t been filled with junk, but it might be limited on space for length depending on what size boat you own. There are a lot of factors that might determine where you will store your boat. Even if you can store it at home, outside, that’s a step ahead of a lot of people, including myself. We’ll make this short and sweet. Let’s go over the pros and cons of indoor storage versus outdoor storage if you are someone who cannot keep your boat at your residence year round and have to let someone else keep it for its winter nap.

Outdoor Pros

1. Access- most times when you store a boat outside, it’s very fast to get that boat in and out of storage. You just pull up, hitch it, and you’re good to go. It’s even easier if you keep a travel cover on.

2. Cost- Keeping something outdoors is a lot less of a cost than keeping something indoors. Where I live, it’s about 1/4 of the cost a month. If you are someone who has a tight budget, plan on looking for that spot outside in order to store your boat, just make sure it’s covered well.

3. Availability- A lot of Anglers who store their boat outside have more access to facilities that are able to accommodate boats, larger RV’s, travel trailers, etc. This is because parking spots are wider, longer, and sometimes the ease of just ‘pulling through’ your spot makes it a breeze to hitch and unhitch after use. 

Outdoors Cons

1. Elements- No matter how much you try to cover your boat, it will always be exposed to Mother Nature. Downpours, high winds, varying temperatures, and winter. You are constantly worried if your cover held up during that storm, your straps held up to the sun’s rays weakening them, or your boat did not sustain damage in a high wind scenario with debris.

2. Wear parts go faster- When something is constantly outside, you have to be worried about things holding up over time. With the cold environment I live in, are my tires cracking prematurely? Are plastics and leather going to get brittle in the sun and heat? These are the things you tend to ask yourself. No matter how much you try, the weather will always win.

3. Fixed costs- Every year, I would buy a cheaper cover for my boat. By the end of the season, my cover was pretty trashed. Mold, rips, tears, and straps going bad, I was getting pretty frustrated. Why not buy a better cover? I could have. But I bought one cover for well over $200 and one for $50 the next year. Both ended up in the trash no matter how much I cared for it. Just plan on buying a cover every year. I also made a PVC skeleton “A-frame” to keep the water from pooling after tightening the cover. Did this work for me? Nope. I ended up out at storage every so often with my shop vacuum sucking out the pools of water. It was a nightmare and a pain. You might have a better system, but be ready to get innovative! Be ready to wrap the boat for winter by a professional marine dealer. That is also a cost I ate every winter before putting it away.

Indoor Pros

1. Things last longer- Like stated above, the elements are not playing a part in weakening things over time. The boat is completely inside which means no rain, snow, high winds, etc. It will look exactly as you left it.

2. Security- Most facilities have a gate code, cameras, and fenced perimeter for people storing their things. This is a safe option and I’ve never had an issue. Although, we did have an individual that broke into the business during off hours trying to steal catalytic converters during this past summer. He was caught, but you catch my drift. Inside a secure facility, you also have a thick garage with your own lock for extra protection. It deters criminals not knowing what might be behind the door. I feel way safer with my boat inside.

3. Ease of mind- Ever since I put my boat into indoor storage this past April, I have never thought once about ‘how my boat might be doing.’ I have more important things to worry about than hoping my wrap holds up over winter or if I see a big storm coming and wondering if I’ll lose bungees, etc. It’s amazing what a little security does to help you sleep at night.

Indoor Cons

1. Price- The exact opposite of outdoor storage. Cost is a huge factor for determining whether or not you want to make the ‘investment’ to store your valuables inside. I’m not talking about a family who owns a farm down the road that lets you store it over the winter for doing some yard work for them over the summer. I’m talking about a storage company that allows you to come and go whenever you please, gives you a gate code, and you write the check.

2. Limited space- Sometimes storage doesn’t have an ‘end spot’ for you to easily back in and unhitch. I got super lucky with the facility that is close to where I live and was able to get a 10′ x 24′ space on the end that allows me to easily back in. If I was a few spots down for instance, I don’t think I would have done it. It needs to be made easy. You have about two feet on each side depending on your beam width, so you better be good at backing it up!

3. Limited spots- For those of us that want to keep that newer boat completely secure, or in my case, an older boat that I want to hang onto for a long time, space is limited. This might make you have to travel farther to get your boat to the closest storage that has at least a 10′ x 24′ space (recommended for anything at most 16′ long including a trailer. you need some wiggle room.) Again, I was super lucky that the space I found was literally right around the corner and had the availability and spot that I wanted. It doesn’t happen very often unless you’re willing to shell out an arm and a leg.

After having both types of storage, it is a good option either way. Ever since I purchased the boat, it was outdoor only after taking into consideration the availability and cost. Although, after looking into a garage extension for our home (good joke. it’s way too expensive) we ultimately decided on looking into indoor storage. I couldn’t be happier. My boat does not take a beating and it’s securely inside just waiting to be used again. You can’t go wrong with either choice, you just need to understand the sacrifices and things that might happen if you store it outside. It comes with the territory. Just like indoor storage, just be willing to get a super reliable lock, keep it clean, and cry a little bit when it comes time for the bill! Jokes aside, it’s a great option.

If you ever get an aspiration for starting a business, buy a plot of land, build a ton of garages and a blacktop with marked spaces and start charging people to keep their things there. You’ll have enough in a year to buy any boat you want (seriously, talk about the perfect passive income).

Do you store your boat inside? Outside? On a concrete slab attached to your garage? Under a tarp? I’m curious. You do what works best for you, these are just the most popular choices among people looking to get into a hobby without the opportunity to be blessed enough to walk out your side door and work on it whenever you please. Or at least stare at it and admire it until it gets to be used. You’re winning either way.

Drop us a comment! Always remember, don’t take a day on the water for granted. Thank you for reading!