Boaters in northern climates—particularly where the water freezes or storms rage—store their crafts for the season. But proper storage brings up lots of questions. Which is better—wet storage or dry storage?
Wet storage, or keeping your boat in the water, requires safe dockage away from storms that could gash your boat against the dock or, worse, throw the craft onshore. You have to be in a climate where the water can’t freeze (which would crack the hull), and the hull needs to be impervious to water so that the hull material doesn’t blister. Additionally, wet storage in saltwater can result in barnacles and seaweed growing on the hull and damaging its surface unless sophisticated cleaning takes place.
Most boaters prefer dry storage in sheds, on racks, or in open-air lots. Dry storage allows for inspection of the hull and gaskets, cleaning and repainting. Fees depend on the size of the boat, but many facilities can stack (one atop the other on racks) boats up to 80 feet in length. The critical issue in dry storage is structural support. Either custom cradles or boat stands should be crafted to support engines, bulkheads and the keel.