Boat storage may be a difficult subject to broach. Before deciding on the best course of action for your company and clients, there are a plethora of factors to consider. Do you have any room? What kind of storage do you plan to provide? Is it possible for them to get their boat out quickly? The good news is that there are several recommendations you can follow when determining how to provide boat storage at your facility.
There were an estimated 12 million registered boats in the United States, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association's 2017 U.S. Recreational Boating Statistical Abstract, 2016 Recreational Boating Participation Study. This illustrates how popular boating is in the United States. Boat storage is a great addition to any self-storage facility since it may bring in more clients and, as a result, more revenue.
The first thing you'll want to consider is the size of your facility. Although it may not be an issue for some, others will need a larger space to provide boat storage. It can all depend on what type of storage you are wanting to offer. Indoor boat storage or outdoor boat storage. You may be fortunate enough to have units large enough to keep certain sizes of boats; if so, make sure customers are aware of this, as customers will appreciate the fact that their boat is stored in a unit all to itself, free from the risk of being damaged by another boat or by someone else.
You may just offer outside storage. This is a great option as it is very cost-effective and does not require restructuring your storage facility. The space you have available will determine how many boats can be stored. If you can offer outside covered boat storage then this may attract more customers, as their boat will not be at direct risk from the elements, such as sun and rain. It would be advisable to always recommend boat storage covers to your customers. Not only will this add extra protection for their boats, but it also shows that you care about the overall condition of their vessel and want to ensure they have everything they need in order to keep it safe while being stored at your facility. It can be a selling point to help you stand out from other storage facilities in your area.
Many boaters choose to store their vessels during the colder winter months so they are able to avoid costly maintenance fees at marinas which can be brought on by harsh conditions such as ice, snow, sand, or water along with saltwater exposure. If you have customers who are storing boats in your self-storage facility for this reason then it is important that you provide them with a way to get their boat out of storage easily without much struggle. However, there should also be some sort of security measure implemented before allowing any customers access into these designated areas just in case someone's belongings do not remain safe while being kept within your property boundaries. Although many people may feel that self-storage facilities are safer than leaving their boats at marinas. However, security should always be a priority. Certain features such as key-pad entry for the designated boat area could be a potential idea to keep your customer's boats as safe as possible. Another pretty self-explanatory safety feature is extra surveillance cameras. Extra cameras will reassure customers that their boat is safe in your self-storage facility. Along with extra cameras and keypad entry, it would be advisable to add extra lighting, as this will deter thieves as your facility will be visible at all times.
As previously mentioned, many boat owners choose to store their vessels during the winter months. During this time of year, it is common for there to be a high amount of precipitation such as rain and snow which can harm boats if not properly taken care of beforehand. This means that having drainage systems in place throughout your self-storage facility will help keep customers who are storing their boats within your facility reassured that there is sufficient drainage throughout. Drainage holes at different spots within the designated space for boats should allow water from any precipitations to pass through them while also being big enough so that sand or other debris does not get stuck inside one making people's lives difficult when trying to access their boat. A strong drainage system also prevents the ground from becoming muddy or wet as a result of water gathering around it; consequently, drainage will help keep the area clean and tidy for your customers' boats.
For the designated boat storage area, you should think about using flooring material such as concrete. Concrete is a strong and durable material so it will be able to support the weight of any boats that are being stored. If you have customers who store their boat in your self-storage facility for an extended period of time, concrete is also a good choice because this type of flooring can handle high amounts of moisture without deteriorating or becoming damaged easily. Concrete floors will also help with accessibility as customers will be able to maneuver their boats with ease helping to save them time when it's necessary to use their boat.
In conclusion, the popularity of boating was found in a recent study where it suggested there was an estimated 12 million registered boats in the United States. Is your storage facility capable of providing boat storage? Well, we have discussed a few tips that can help you create boat storage for your customers. These are just some of the different options available to assist you and keep up with demand from customers who want to store their vessels in a safe space. Even if there aren't many boaters that live around your area now, this doesn't mean that won't change down the line so having enough room dedicated strictly to storing boats isn't such a bad idea. Furthermore, if the designated space for boats is too small and cramped, the customer's boats could end up being damaged by colliding with one another so allow for extra space. Security is a priority for customers who are looking to store their vessels within your self-storage facility as they will need reassurance that it's safe and secure. Having keypad entry on the designated boat area, extra surveillance cameras throughout, and lighting in this space should be enough to keep all of your customer's belongings protected at all times.
