Ditch the Dock: Is Trailer Ownership the Key to More Affordable Boating?

Boat storage rates are getting out of hand.

The rapidly rising cost of storage is quickly becoming a frustrating reality for many boaters. If your vessel is currently in a slip, dry storage, or another paid facility, you’ve likely seen the price tag skyrocket—and those costs aren't coming down.

For long-term owners looking to mitigate the mounting financial pressure, there is a powerful solution: buying a boat trailer and storing your boat on your own property.

Here everything you need to know about the math of trailer ownership and the practical considerations for storing your boat at home.

The Math of Trailer Ownership: The Financial Argument

Let’s be honest, the numbers for paid storage are daunting, especially in high-demand areas. Even at a conservative $400 per month for a slip, your annualized cost is over $4,800. When you factor in taxes, fees, required haul-out for maintenance, and other incidentals, your total expense can easily exceed $6,000 per year. The bigger your boat is, the harder it is to contain these costs.

The Trailer Investment

Consider the one-time purchase of a high-quality trailer, such as a COM 6000, which retails for approximately $8,500. For Washington residents, the out-the-door price (including tax, title, and license) is around $9,600.

The Breakeven Point? Compared to the $4,800+ annual cost of outdoor storage, owning the trailer will beat the recurring storage costs in just two years. For larger boats, it may take 3-4 years to recoup the cost, but if you are planning on owning the boat for a while, it may make sense.

Tips for Storing Your Boat at Home

Making the switch to at-home storage requires some planning, but the rewards are worth the effort.

1. Location - A piece of flat land is ideal, and having it covered is beneficial.

2. Insurance Consideration - When stored on your own property, your homeowners insurance and boat insurance are likely to align to cover against theft or damage, similar to how they cover your vehicles. Check your homeowners (or renters) policy before making the switch.

3. Garage Storage & Length - If you plan to keep your boat inside a garage, you must be careful of the total length—accounting for the boat and how far the trailer extends.

   
   

   Consider running an image search for your boat “on a trailer” and view it from the side. You can estimate how long trailer’s tongue extends past the length of the boat. If a few extra inches are needed to make the boat fit, you can install a swing tongue on the front of the trailer to help lower the overall storage length significantly.

4. Prevent Tire Dry Rot - Trailer tires are designed to hold higher weights with stronger sidewalls. To prevent dry rot, it is highly advisable to drive the trailer a short distance every couple of months to rotate the tires and prevent flat spots.

   
   

5. Use Proper Long-Term Support - The tongue jack is very nice for temporary use but is not meant for long-term storage. For long-term parking, you should replace the tongue jack with sturdy blocks or jack stands at the front. Downward pressure on an angled tongue jack can eventually damage its mechanism, leading to replacement.

   
   

6. Managing Surge Brakes - If your trailer uses a surge braking system, you need to ensure the surge actuator is not actuated (pushed in) while stored, as this can lock the brakes onto the rotors. To release the brakes, block the wheels on the front part of the tires, then pull the tongue forward slightly using the coupler until the brakes release.

   
   

7. Electric Braking Systems - If you have an electric-over-hydraulic braking system with a breakaway feature (which includes a small battery), you'll want to place that battery on a trickle charger to ensure it does not lose its charge.

Mobility and New Adventures

One of the best benefits of having your boat on a trailer is the ability to tow it to new bodies of water. You are no longer restricted to the ocean or the single body of water where your marina is located. This allows you to explore different locales such as lakes and rivers, not just the ocean, opening up new experiences for you and your family.

Tow Vehicle Requirements

To enjoy this mobility, you’ll need a capable tow vehicle:

Generally, sedans and smaller SUVs can tow a few thousand pounds, while larger SUVs and light-duty trucks can handle up to 5,000 pounds. Full-size trucks have even higher capacities, some reaching over 11,000 pounds, and heavy-duty trucks are designed to tow much heavier loads, potentially even more than 20,000 pounds. Check your vehicle’s towing capacity before towing anything.

If you don't have a vehicle that can tow, you can coordinate with friends or family who have a capable vehicle—you may just need to offer them an invitation onto your boat in exchange!

Storage costs are not likely to stop rising; in fact, they will likely keep pace with their peers. Purchasing a trailer is a one-time expense that pays dividends immediately, offering long-term financial freedom and the ability to tow your boat to any beautiful waterway you choose.