Where to best store a boat to work on it?

[theblindspot]

Hello all,


I'm truly a complete noob to sailing, but the bug has struck me something fierce.


I'm just beginning to do some research and I have a question(s) that I'm having a tough time figuring out, perhaps you lovely sailors can help me.


If I were to buy a sailboat, I'm sure it would be pre-owned and probably require a "bit" of work. I wouldn't want a complete project boat, but every boat has projects that need done.


So my question is, what is the most cost effective and best way to "store" a boat and still be able to work on it? Long-term marina contract/rent? Outdoor dry storage somewhere? What kind of costs should one expect for a 35' ish sailboat for comparisons sake?


I live in the Houston area about an hour from the GoM.

Thank y'all so much for your help in advance

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by theblindspot

Hello all,


I'm truly a complete noob to sailing, but the bug has struck me something fierce.


I'm just beginning to do some research and I have a question(s) that I'm having a tough time figuring out, perhaps you lovely sailors can help me.


If I were to buy a sailboat, I'm sure it would be pre-owned and probably require a "bit" of work. I wouldn't want a complete project boat, but every boat has projects that need done.


So my question is, what is the most cost effective and best way to "store" a boat and still be able to work on it? Long-term marina contract/rent? Outdoor dry storage somewhere? What kind of costs should one expect for a 35' ish sailboat for comparisons sake?


I live in the Houston area about an hour from the GoM.

Thank y'all so much for your help in advance

In your yard.

Seriously. LOL. Paying to truck it to your house and having it right outside where you live will both cost less and take half the time.

[Cheechako]

It depends on the work involved. But you do say "not a project boat", (good luck with that!)
-Much of it can be done in the marina. In a yard you will be climbing ladders a lot and be at the risk of the yard being closed at times you want to work.
-all interior work can be done in the marina slip, tanks, engine work, pumps etc. Although major tank work may be an issue.
-Shaft, Rudder, Seacocks etc will need a haul out, but you can time that to get those things done quickly during haulout.
-Varnishing outside, clean up, etc can mostly be done in the marina.

Storage or marina charges vary a lot by area so find out the local situation.

[theblindspot]

Thanks for the replies, both of you.


Chotu - Thats a fair point. Perhaps that would be my best option, paying to have it at the house for now....I'm looking at maybe a 35' Curising boat like a Beneteau (sp?) is that reasonable in a driveway? Not sure my HOA would want me sticking it in my yard lol.


Are there generally places that you could store on-land for maybe 2-3 hundred/mo. and be able to go evenings and weekends to work on it?


Sorry all, I know these are basic questions for all of you.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by theblindspot

Thanks for the replies, both of you.


Chotu - Thats a fair point. Perhaps that would be my best option, paying to have it at the house for now....I'm looking at maybe a 35' Curising boat like a Beneteau (sp?) is that reasonable in a driveway? Not sure my HOA would want me sticking it in my yard lol.


Are there generally places that you could store on-land for maybe 2-3 hundred/mo. and be able to go evenings and weekends to work on it?


Sorry all, I know these are basic questions for all of you.

Yes. It depends a lot on where you live. It may fall under those RV bans if you live in a place with a HOA and little freedom.

It is, however, everyone’s most cost effective and time saving option to do a fair amount of work.

[jimbojonesbos]

Originally Posted by theblindspot

Thanks for the replies, both of you.


Chotu - Thats a fair point. Perhaps that would be my best option, paying to have it at the house for now....I'm looking at maybe a 35' Curising boat like a Beneteau (sp?) is that reasonable in a driveway? Not sure my HOA would want me sticking it in my yard lol.


Are there generally places that you could store on-land for maybe 2-3 hundred/mo. and be able to go evenings and weekends to work on it?


Sorry all, I know these are basic questions for all of you.

A 35' beneteau will occupy something like a a 38x15 foot space. It will also require access for the truck and hydraulic trailer to put it in that space. If you have a big yard and buy a project boat , no doubt it is awesome to be able to do all that work at your leisure with all your tools at hand. But a modern beamy 35' boat in a driveway will require a big driveway or big yard. Likely if you have an HOA, they wouldn't allow it or would quickly make some rule up to force you to move it.

Also understand a project boat will likely end up costing as much as a non project boat just spread out. If you are new to sailing start small, get something on a trailer that you can learn on and work on at home for a year. Then go bigger. Tooany newbies start with a big cruising boat. Learn to sail on a small boat, you will be a better sailor. You will also have a better sense of the costs of boat ownership, aka everything you have plus 10%.

Where I live the cost to store in a yard for a year is less than the cost of a round trip truck haul to my house. But if I had the space I would vastly prefer to be able to work in my own yard.

[barnakiel]

The best place to work on a boat is an airy shed full of light.


The most economical place is either your own garden or else the nearest dock.


b.

[jimbojonesbos]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

The best place to work on a boat is an airy shed full of light.


The most economical place is either your own garden or else the nearest dock.


b.

+1, an air conditioned warehouse with a deck level platform !

[gonesail]

there are marinas where you can do a lot of the work. nice thing is you would have electricity and water and facilities .. but not for 300 a month. there is usually a haul out near the marina. there are also storage yards but they charge extra for you to be working on your boat .. sometimes a lot. weather can definitely be a factor.

[theblindspot]

Yes, HOAs are mini dictatorships in suburbia-land....so keeping at my place definitely not an option.


I'll have to look into the options around the gulf coast here and see what my options are. I did see a marina listing with a $250/mo. option, but I'm sure that has it's downsides as well (Perhaps not a great spot, crappy marina amenities etc.)

Thanks for all the input though, the research continues...

[Siberian Sea]

For longe term storage especially if your not going to check on the boat regularly it’s often cheaper and better to have the boat hauled out and placed “ on the hard”. The advantages are first it’s not going to sink, ect it’s almost always cheaper my the month, I like the fact of when working on my boat I just drive my truck right there next to the boat and no walking or carrying anything for marina parking lots, nothing ever gets dropped in the water and you work on to around the boat. Now about actually working on your boat. Some marina yards don’t let you do much of your own work forcing you to use them or their approved contractors but my experience has been most all marina yards do let you do all your own work. Another positive thing is unmetered electricity and water. Although you might have to invest in quality power cords 100 feet or more free electricity is there and this is nice bonus. You would be surprised how quickly just how much power is used when your running power tools and shop vacuums. The working yard can also be a good place to learn and get ideas. Of course some good advice and some not so but...... often there are s few experienced and competent folks working on their boats around this place, I ask advice or observation or their projects. I will give you a real life cost now. I have a 40ft Fiberglas sloop. On June 2nd a Marina removed and placed it in storage/working yard my boat. They charged me 300 dollars for the haul out, pressure washed the hull, and when I wish covers cost return to water. The monthly fee to keep boat in yard is 125.00 each month. Location is Deltaville Virginia. Free showers, Internet, electricity, water , swimming pool, nice bbq area, can schedule them to do work them to do work for 80.00 per hour or do it myself, your allowed to sleep overnight on your boat, if I make lots of noise it’s expected because it’s a boatyard. Of course being in the water would allow you to do many things too I just find it’s more expensive and I work less efficient. Call around, get some rate quotes, find out what is or not allowed, if possible drive to the marina and walk around think about what see....... you will know.

[Clivevon]

It never happened (entry lane Just too narrow) but i did once fantasize about having my 36 ft Sailboat craned From a low loader over the 12 foot high hedge into my village garden. I thought about getting a pit dug for the keel to lower the profile so it would be Less conspicuous. To the neighbours. You would get a lot more done on your boat just oufside your back door.

[Exctyengr]

First off, Blindspot, any boat and every boat is a "work in progress". Some more than others, certainly a wooden boat is one extreme, a glass boat with a lot of brightwork a lot of ongoing work. Your Beneteau much, much less routine maintenance. I would buy the best maintained boat I could afford, launch it, go sailing and make a list. I think that you will find that most of the stuff can be done in the water except for bottom pain, sea cocks, rudder, prop, drive shaft and so forth. But you can work on internal systems like plumbing, electrical, instruments, lighting, anchoring systems, navigation while you are afloat.
Good luck, send photos, we love boatporn.

[picklesandjesse]

I have a friend with a waterfront home in Dickinson Bayou that has a dock that might be available. He works on boats in Kemah. The place is not very fancy and is slowly being reclaimed by nature. But if it's available he would not want much. PM me if interested and I'll give him a call. John
PS. He's from the UK and has a UK and Aust accent!!!! Nice guy.

[Chotu]

Side Question: Anyone on the east coast of USA want to play amateur Marina/boatyard and get paid to provide a place for my catamaran to be worked on? Closer to nyc or Florida cities is best. Could be a slip or on the hard. Willing to crane it out of the water or use a boat ramp for the right situation.