Summer Boat Storage

If you're a boat owner who thrives on the rev of the motor and the wind in your hair, Minnesota can be a tough place to live. In a good year we seek out 150 boat-worthy days - many of which are packed with other activities competing for our attention.

What's a time-starved boat owner to do? Many turn to marinas to minimize the hassles and logistical challenges of summer boat storage.

If you are looking for a new summer home for your boat, keep these tips in mind.

Know your options

Lakestyle Magazine checked out the following boat storage options at several marinas on Lake Minnetonka and the St. Croix river:

Slip service. Leasing a private slip is an attractive option for boaters who want optimal convenience and flexibility with no time restrictions. Slip customers may have access to electricity and fresh water hook-ups, in addition to other marina services. A potential disadvantage is that boats spend all summer in the water, where they are more susceptible to sun fading, algae build-up and damage from summer storms.

Dry docking. Some marinas offer dry-dock storage, where boats are stored in a warehouse to minimize the effects of the elements. Customers simply call ahead, allowing the marina time to launch the boat into the water by forklift and tie it to a dock before they arrive. Rockvam Boat Yards on Lake Minnetonka was one of the first in the area to offer dry-dock service in 1967. "It was too early then - no one understood the concept," says owner Jerry Rockvam. "We started it up again in 1982 and it has worked well. It's a pretty foolproof way to keep your boat."

While dry-dock storage minimizes the effects of the elements, customers must plan ahead and call for forklift service during marina hours. evening boaters who arrive back at Rockvam after closing can leave their boat in one of the marina's slips until the next morning, when dock hands will return it to the warehouse.

Store and launch. We found marinas on the St. Croix river that offer boat storage in a lot adjacent to the marina's boat landings. Boaters who choose this no-frills approach can store a boat and trailer in the leased spot year-round more economically, with any-time access to the launch.

Consider the cost

Slip prices vary widely by size, location and lease terms. According to Rockvam, year-round storage for 18- to 32-foot boats on lake Minnetonka generally ranges from about $4,900 to $10,500. dry-dock storage may be slightly less expensive depending on boat size.

While Rockvam includes winter storage in the lease price, other marinas offer seasonal leases only. Some have both, like Wolf Marina on the St. Croix river, which offers slip leases for the smallest boats beginning at $1,500 for the summer, and leases for the largest slips at just over $7,000 for the year, including winter storage.

River boaters interested in a store-and-launch option can find annual leases for lot spaces ranging from $750 to $1,200, depending on boat size, at river Park and Beach House Marinas. Other river marinas offer slips for sale as well as lease.

Choose your location

Location is another key factor in determining where to store a boat. For example, a marina located north of the Stillwater lift bridge might be a better option for boaters who enjoy the island areas of the St. Croix river, while those who take excursions up and down the river might prefer a more southern location.

On Lake Minnetonka, boaters who want to maximize their time on the lake may choose a marina location with easy highway access that is closer to Minneapolis than a more remote location.

For some boaters, where they store their boat is about community more than anything else. "Many use it as more of a cabin," says Marty Wolf, owner of Wolf Marina. He has witnessed some river boaters who only take their boats out three times a year, but they spend a great deal of time onboard while docked at the marina.

Expect Service

These days, most people are looking for convenience and service, says Charlie Swanson, manager of Minnetonka Marine on Brown's Bay. Customers at his marina who call ahead will arrive to find their boats uncovered and ready to go, with free ice supplied. The only thing left to do, says Swanson, is "turn the key."

The extras are important to many boaters looking for hassle- free solutions.

Popular marina amenities include:

• Electricity
• Fresh water hook-ups
• Ice
• Gas, often discounted to customers
• On-site repair and maintenance (e.g., changing a dead battery)
• Cover/uncover service
• Boat cleaning
• Boat canopies
• Restaurant
• Store
• Shower/changing room facilities
• Laundry

To boat owner rob Nelson, a customer at Greenwood Marina on Lake Minnetonka, marina life is all about service. He appreciates that his boat is serviced and ready for him to use throughout the summer, then winterized and stored for him during the off-season.

"When it's nice out again, I know I'm going to come out and my boat will be back in the water," he explains. "I don't have to think about it. That's the benefit."

The boating club alternative

If you've always loved the idea of owning a boat but can't justify the costs, consider joining a private boating club. At Excel Boat Club on Lake Minnetonka, members pay for access to a fleet of boats that includes pontoons, speed boats and deck boats. Four membership packages are available, including a 15-use package for $3,995 per year.

According to Excel Boat Club's president, Tom Jacob, the boating club opened six years ago with 32 members and has grown to more than 130 this year. "it works great in this area. if you're going to own a boat, you need to use it a lot," says Jacob, citing the expenses of boat ownership for the average family that only gets out on the water a handful of times a year. (See excelboatclub.com for a comparison of average ownership costs vs. boating club package costs.)

While boating club membership touts a hassle-free boating experience, members must be willing to accept some limitations. Only two reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance. During peak summer months, members must reserve their boats during one of two shifts, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Despite the limitations, Jacob says that members who join with the intent to purchase a boat in the off-season often decide to stick with the club. "it's kind of a to-go thing," he explains. "You don't have to cover the boat, clean it or gas it. You just take your kids and walk off the boat."

By Nancy Pias