Boat Storage
 

What is the going rate for boat storage in Wolfeboro? Small boat. 19 feet. Rates seem to be in a never ending upward trajectory. My pickup fee (from Wentworth) for instance has gone up 800 percent over the past 10 years. That is clearly more than the inflation rate.

Not Wolfeboro but I've done winter storage at Wards in Ossipee (now Winnisquam marine). Storage last year was about $1300 including winterization. After the acquisition this year it went up about 20%.

With a 19 foot boat, I would look at getting a trailer, and store it on your property.... Even if you have to pay someone to get it out of the water, winterize it, and shrink wrap it.... it will save you in the long run.....

If you have the time and skill you could even make yourself a re-usable winter cover and save on the shrink wrapping........

Thanks Bob. I'm paying about $70.00 a foot for storage. 20% is a big bump but someone has to pay for what I'm sure was a costly acquisition.

That is something to consider. Trailers that are used infrequently tend to be tough to maintain. No easy answers I suppose.

Thank you,

We pay ~$1,500 to store our 20' Harris tritoon at Melvin Village Marina. That includes basic winterization and indoor storage.

Here's the thing, though: in addition to not having to deal with/worry about anything in the off-season, the ONLY time spent is enjoying the boat. We drive away from the dock in May and return it back in October.

One other benefit is that we've been taken care of immediately when needing service—an invaluable aspect given the short boating season.

I've not done the math of buying a trailer, wrapping it, etc., but I'm sure it's cheaper—there are some things I'll gladly pay for, though.

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One thing: Bearing Buddies! The warm axles, when dunked into cold water contract and suck in the water, washing out the grease. Bearing buddies keep grease under pressure against the bearings to prevent that.

Over 50 years ago I was headed out the Mass Pike, trailering a 22 foot Century to Lake George. When the greaseless bearing (I was young and dumb) overheated and welded it self to the spindle, the spindle broke off. I learned about greasing the wheel bearings then.

Every trailer I have owned since then, the first thing I do is install Bearing Buddies and grease them often. The rest of the trailer requires almost no maintenance.

Not all grease is waterproof. Use marine grade grease, it's available most places

And you must use marine grease not automotive grease!

Your reply is very helpful. I pay about the same so it is evidently the market rate. There are only a few marinas and there hasn’t been a recession in about 20 years so the marinas have significant pricing power.

Thank you

Sure thing.

I'll add that MVM has been pretty consistent/reasonable with their pricing and increases—never once in ten years have I felt like they were taking advantage of the market/economy, etc.

Cheers!

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Had a very good friend in the business and he used to lick his chops when storage time came around, Marina’s make more money on storage than they do on sales and service because parts are not needed and materials are the only expense besides a few hours of labor. Except for shrink wrapping, fuel stabilizer, oil and filter, grease for lower unit are the only materials needed.

It's like towing companies with storage charges, easy money!

Sheps has a long standing practice of requiring boat storage if you have a slip. I assume others do as well. Yes, it's convenient but as others have said, also a very nice revenue stream.