It is a well-known fact that maintaining a boat is no easy feat. On top of that, keeping up maintenance with storing your boat long-term can be even more difficult. Whether you are storing a fishing boat, skiing boat, or cruiser, here are a few tips on the best way to maintain your boat and how to find the best storage spot in Minnesota for your needs.
How do I prepare my boat during long-term storage?
Before putting your boat in storage here are a few tips for how to ensure your boat is ready:
Tips for the engine
- Replace engine oil
- Drain water from the engine
- Stabilize the fuel
- Protect engine components
- Replace the gear oil
- Lubricate to protect from corrosion
Tips for water systems
If your boat has a water system onboard, you will want to ensure they are safe for long-term storage:
- Use an RV antifreeze for faucets, shower heads, and other fixtures
- Open and drain all the faucets and fixtures then fill about 5 gallons of RV anti-freeze in the system and ensure pink fluid comes out of each fixture.
Miscellaneous tips
- Clean out your boat and remove all valuables
- Keep insurance on your boat even when it is in storage
- Remove any batteries that you can charge at home
- Inspect the boat for any damage, paint chips, cracks, etc.
- Remove any propane tanks and run the propane stove to remove any propane in the lines
- Clean all canvas surfaces
What are some long-term boat storage options in Minnesota?
There are a few options for different types of boat storage in Minnesota including:
On a trailer at your property
If you have a trailer and room at your property for boat storage, this would be the least expensive way to store it. This option may not work for some HOAs or counties that do not allow the storage of a trailer in your driveway or yard.
Outdoor boat storage
This option would be the next most affordable option. You can look at self-storage facilities or marinas near you. Or you can even book with an individual near you with extra space on STOW IT. Here are outdoor storage options in Minnesota for boat storage.
Indoor boat storage
There are many facilities in major cities of Minnesota that are close to bodies of water where people take their boats. You can also skip renting from a facility and indoor, long-term boat storage near you here.
FAQs About Long-Term Boat Storage in Minnesota
How much does it cost for outdoor and indoor storage in Minnesota?
Price can vary based on your location and the size of your boat. Here are some prices in certain areas in Minnesota so you can have an idea as to what to expect to pay each month:
| Location | Outdoor Price | Indoor Price |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $75-$125 | $125-$200 |
| St. Paul | $60-$100 | $125-$200 |
| Prior Lake | $50-$100 | $125-$200 |
| Lakeville | $50-$100 | $125-$200 |
How can I protect my boat while storing outdoors?
A high-quality cover can be used to protect your boat while stored outdoors. Using items such as cheap tarps tend to rip very quickly. Here is a list of high-quality covers you can use while storing outdoors.
What are the most important factors when choosing boat storage?
Some important factors to consider while choosing boat storage include:
The size of your boat
As your boat increases in size, often, so does the pricing of storage
Location
Do you want to store your boat near where you live or where you usually like to use your boat? STOW IT has options all over with indoor, outdoor, and covered options where you can search through and find the best spot for you.
Access Needs
How much access would you need to your boat? If you plan on using your boat quite frequently, you must ensure you find a host that allows frequent access. Usually, as access needs increase, so does the price of storage.
How do I rent a space for my boat through STOW IT?
All bookings are easily made online through stowit.com and payments are automated to make your storage process as easy as possible. You can view all boat long-term storage options in Minnesota here.