What size storage unit do I need for a 24-foot boat?

A 24-foot boat with its trailer typically needs a space in the 10x30 to 12x35 range, depending on the trailer tongue length and whether the motor extends past the transom. Measure the full combined length before booking.

Is covered or indoor boat storage worth the extra cost?

It depends on how long the boat will sit and what condition you want it in when you pull it back out. For a few weeks, uncovered parking is usually fine. For an off-season or long-term stay, covered or indoor storage cuts down on sun and weather exposure and can save on maintenance and detailing later.

Can I store a boat long-term at a self storage facility?

Yes, many of our self storage facilities offer month-to-month vehicle, RV, and boat storage spaces built for exactly this. Ask about gate hours, drive-up access, and whether the facility has size restrictions for length, width, or height before you sign a rental agreement.

How to Choose the Right Boat Storage: Size, Type, and Cost Guide

By Anytime Storage Content Team

What You’ll Learn in This Post

How to correctly measure a boat and trailer for storage (most people get this wrong)
A size guide matching boat length to the space you'll actually need
The difference between outdoor, covered, and indoor boat storage
What drives boat storage pricing up or down
Basic prep steps to protect a boat before it sits for a while

A boat is a big purchase, and where you keep it during the off-season affects both its condition and how much you spend the rest of the year. Choosing the right boat storage option really comes down to three questions: how much space your boat needs, which storage type matches your budget and the level of protection you want, and what pushes the monthly rate up or down. Here is how to work through all three, plus a size chart you can use as a starting point when you compare Anytime’s self storage facilities near you.

Step 1: Get Your Measurements Right

Before you call around, measure your boat and trailer together. This is the single biggest factor in what size space you will need, and it is also the step most people get wrong.

Length, Including the Trailer

The manufacturer's listed length overall (LOA) is a starting point, not the number to work with. Measure from the tip of the bow to the back of the trailer, including the tongue, and add the outboard motor if it extends past the transom when tilted up. Many owners are surprised to find their boat and trailer combination runs several feet longer than the boat's advertised length alone. Add a couple of feet of buffer on top of that total so you have room to maneuver in and out of the space.

Beam (Width)

Beam is the boat's width at its widest point, usually measured at the rub rail. Trailer width matters too, especially with wide-body pontoons or boats with rub rails and swim platforms that stick out past the hull.

Height and Mast Clearance

If you are storing a sailboat, the mast typically needs to be unstepped and laid down for storage, which changes the length measurement but reduces the height. For powerboats with a hardtop, tower, or antenna, measure total height with everything in its upright position so you know whether a covered or indoor space will actually clear it.

Step 2: Compare the Types of Boat Storage

Once you know the footprint you need, the next decision is how much protection you want the boat to have.

Outdoor Uncovered Parking

This is an open space on a paved or gravel lot, usually inside a fenced and gated facility. It is the most affordable option and works fine for boats that are already covered, well maintained, and not going to sit for long stretches without a check-in.

Covered or Canopy Parking

A roof overhead without full walls gives the boat protection from sun, rain, and falling debris while keeping the space easy to load and unload. For many boat owners, this is the middle ground between price and protection, and it noticeably cuts down on UV fading and water pooling compared to leaving a boat fully exposed.

Indoor Storage

Full enclosure with walls and a door offers the most complete protection from weather, sun, and prying eyes. Some Anytime Storage facilities also offer climate control for indoor vehicle bays, which can help with upholstery, electronics, and wood trim in humid climates. Indoor spaces cost more, but for a boat that will sit for months at a time, or one with a lot of money tied up in the interior, it is often worth the difference.

Many of our self storage facilities set aside a dedicated vehicle, RV, and boat storage area with a mix of these three options side by side, so you can walk the lot and see what fits before you decide.

Step 3: Understand What Drives the Cost

Boat storage pricing depends on more than just the type of space:

Storage type. Indoor costs more than covered, and covered costs more than outdoor, uncovered parking.
Size of the space. A longer or wider boat needs a bigger space, and price scales with square footage.
Region and local market. Coastal and lake-heavy markets with high boat ownership tend to price differently than inland markets with less demand.
Season. Rates and availability can shift heading into spring launch season and again before winter layup, so it helps to plan ahead rather than shop last minute.
Security and site features. Gated access, on-site cameras, and paved drive-up access add value and can affect the monthly rate compared to a bare-bones lot.

A Few Prep Basics Before You Store

Getting the boat ready for storage does not need to be complicated for shorter stays, though a full winterizing routine is worth its own separate conversation with your marina or mechanic. A few basics apply almost anywhere:

Check trailer tires for correct pressure and general condition, and consider blocking the trailer so the tires are not bearing full weight for months at a time.
Use a properly fitted cover that allows some airflow, so moisture does not get trapped underneath.
Disconnect or trickle-charge the battery so it is not drained by the time you are ready to launch again.
Add a fuel stabilizer if the tank will sit for an extended period, following your engine manufacturer's guidance.

Finding the Right Storage Solution for Your Boat

Once you know your boat's real measurements, the level of protection that makes sense for your budget, and roughly what to expect on price, picking a space gets a lot easier. Browse Anytime’s self storage locations near you to see which facilities offer boat and RV storage, then choose your space and reserve or rent online!