A boat shelter is the perfect place to keep your boat clean, dry, and damage-free when it’s not in the water. However, choosing the right boat shelter size–along with the right location for your boat shelter–can be a bit of a challenge. After all, every boat type has unique storage needs.
Thankfully, we’ve compiled the best boat shelter ideas, perfect for storing your boat in the off-season. Everything from carports to boat storage sheds to individual storage units can do the trick.
Exploring Different Boat Shelter Types
Given the wide variety of boat shelter options, it’s wise to determine which type aligns with your boat storage needs. From boat sheds, carports, and garages to storage units, there’s an ideal solution for every boat owner.
Boat Sheds
Boat sheds offer dedicated storage space specifically designed for boat storage. With the possibility of customizing the shed’s size and style, boat sheds provide reliable protection for your boat, ensuring it stays safe and secure.
With a boat shed, you can add enclosures, overhangs, or porches for extra storage space. When considering your shed design, consider a boat cover if the boat is too exposed on the sides of the shelter.
Expect boat sheds to range in price anywhere from $1000 for small boats/kayaks to $50,000 for larger boats.
Carports
Carports are an affordable alternative to garages for boat storage. They provide overhead protection for your boat, shielding it from snow, rain, and other elements.
Carports are more cost-effective than garages, making them an attractive option for boat owners looking to save on expenses.
Bear in mind, though, that carports, having open sides, offer less protection than fully enclosed garages. This may not be the best option for boat owners in areas prone to extreme weather conditions (severe snow storms, hurricanes, etc.)
Constructing a carport, like a freestanding carport, may also require a permit.
Garages
Garages offer full enclosure and protection for your boat, ensuring it stays safe from the elements, vandalism, and theft.
In addition to housing your boat, garages also provide ample storage space for accessories, such as life jackets or fishing gear.
Remember to take accurate measurements of both your boat and the available area on your property. Accurate measurements will ensure a garage that accommodates your boat and allows for comfortable maneuvering. You’ll want to leave yourself a little wiggle room–at least a foot on either side–and consider double doors when possible.
Attached garages start at around $15,000, whereas detached start at around $20,000.
Garage projects can cost more than $150,000, depending on how customized the garage is.
Boat Canopy
A boat canopy is one of the lower-priced boat storage ideas. The canopy is usually a tarp or temporary structure directly over the boat. For those who live on the water, a boat lift combined with a canopy can also be a great off-season solution. Boat lift pricing starts around $2000 plus installation.
Boat canopy pricing can start around $300, but gets into the thousands when you look at something that is semi-permanent.
The boat canopy is easy to set up and take down and can be a temporary or semi-permanent structure. Temporary boat canopies are typically taken down when the boat is removed. Overall, a boat canopy works similarly to a boat cover.
Storage Units
While storage units can be an excellent solution for short-term storage needs, they may not be suitable for boat storage. Storage units often have size constraints and they can lack climate control, which can be crucial for proper boat storage.
Storage units tend to work best for smaller boats.
If you decide to rent a storage unit (over other boat shelter alternatives), you’ll will need to confirm that your chosen boat storage facility permits boats in their 10’x20’ or 10’x30’ units.
If you’re struggling to find storage units large enough to accommodate a boat (or you’re struggling to find a storage facility that allows boat storage), consider pursuing alternatives like boat sheds, and carports–all of which ensure the protection of your boat.
Why Use A Covered Boat Storage Shelter?
A covered boat storage shelter provides a practical solution for protecting your valuable watercraft from the elements. Leaving your boat exposed in your yard or driveway will leave it susceptible to the elements and can even decrease resale value in the long term.
The reasons to use a covered boat storage shelter include:
- Protection from harsh weather
- Less preventative maintenance
- Enhanced security and theft prevention
- Prolonged lifespan
- Convenient access to your boat
- Improved resale value
Customizing Your Boat Shelter
To make your boat shelter truly stand out and meet your specific needs, customization is key. By considering size, material choices, and design elements, you can create a boat shelter that offers protection and helps you with organization at the same time.
Size Considerations
The size of your boat shelter plays a significant role in its functionality. To ensure your shelter adequately offers full boat coverage and storage needs, it’s vital to accurately measure your boat’s dimensions, including its length, width, and height. Also, consider any extra equipment or gear that needs to be stored during the off-season.
Material Choices
The materials you choose for your boat shelter impact its durability and overall appearance. Common materials for boat shelters include:
- Wood: offers a natural, rustic look and is relatively easy to work with. It can be painted or stained to complement your boat’s appearance and is cost-effective.
- Metal: provides sturdiness and weather resistance, ensuring your shelter lasts for years to come.
- Glass: offers a sleek, modern look and is relatively easy to clean and maintain. Building glass shelters can be costly, and they can often be more susceptible to damage.
DIY Boat Shelter Construction Tips
Constructing your boat shelter can be a rewarding and cost-effective project. With proper planning, the right tools and materials, and a step-by-step guide, you can build a sturdy and secure boat shelter that meets your needs.
Planning and Preparation
Before starting your DIY boat shelter project, here are some steps to follow:
- Spend time researching boat shelter designs and identifying the type that best suits your needs.
- Determine the size, materials, and design elements that will work best for your boat and property. When determining size, consider the maneuverability of the boat within the shelter. Can you get it in and out without trouble?
- Will the shelter be connected to the house or a separate unit?
- Obtain any necessary building permits required in your area.
- Create a budget for your project, considering the cost of materials, tools, and any additional expenses.
Gathering Tools and Materials
Once you’ve planned your boat shelter design, it’s time to gather the tools and materials needed for construction. This may include:
- Lumber
- Roofing materials
- Hardware
- Any additional items specific to your boat shelter design
Construction Process
With your tools and materials in place, you can begin constructing your boat shelter. Follow a step-by-step guide or enlist the help of friends or professionals to ensure a sturdy and secure shelter.
Given the variation between a garage, boat shed, boat canopy, and carport, each project will have different instructions and involvement. The construction process typically involves laying out the foundation, constructing the frame, and attaching the roof.
Creative Boat Shelter Ideas and Inspiration
Thinking outside the box can lead to some truly creative and inspiring boat shelter ideas. From multi-purpose boat shelters that double as workshops or living spaces to eco-friendly shelters that utilize sustainable materials and energy-efficient features, there’s no limit to the possibilities.
Multi-Purpose Boat Shelters
Multi-purpose boat shelters offer a practical and versatile solution for boat storage—without taking up their own space on your property.
These shelters can serve as storage for other vehicles or equipment or even as living spaces or workshops, making them an excellent choice for those looking to maximize their property’s functionality. Multi-purpose functionality is a major positive!
Eco-Friendly Boat Shelters
Eco-friendly boat shelters are a fantastic option for minimizing their environmental impact. These shelters utilize sustainable materials, such as recycled plastic, bamboo, or cork, and can incorporate energy-efficient features like solar panels or green roofs.
Eco-friendly boat shelters won’t necessarily save you money upfront, but some can have lower maintenance costs in the long term.
Summary
Boat shelters can be convenient and offer you functionality for the long term; the problem is that they take up a lot of land and space. If you don’t have the room for a boat shelter at your home or don’t want to get involved in the building process, consider using Neighbor for your boat storage needs.
Neighbor, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace, allows you access to affordable boat storage units nearby, making it an option that checks all the boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Boat Shed Usually Called?
A boat shed is commonly referred to as a “boathouse,” which is a building specially designed for the storage of boats. It is normally built partly over water and serves as a shelter for boats.
How Wide Should a Boat Shed Be?
For a 10-foot boat, the recommended shed width is 16 feet, with three feet of room on each side.
How Big Is a Boat Shed?
Boatsheds typically measure 6.2 meters long, 3.0 meters wide, and 2.4 meters high, significantly larger than a standard beach hut. They are also designed with a 30° roof pitch, slightly shallower than a bathing box.
What Is the Difference Between a Boat Carport and a Boat Garage?
A boat carport is an open-sided structure primarily providing overhead protection, while a boat garage is a fully enclosed space offering comprehensive protection from all elements. Carports are generally more affordable and flexible, whereas garages offer heightened security and weather shielding.
