Rack storage - experiences

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ddurand

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Given the shortage of slips in general I may need to look at rack storage for 2022 as an alternative to trailering my boat. Chaparral 27'.

What are people's experiences with rack storage? Boat get scratched? Ready when you request it? PIA to do work on the boat? Humidity in cabin or battery charging issues due to no power while in rack (no water for A/C either).

On the surface it sounds good, your boat is protected in the inside rack storage and brought down when you want to use it. But maybe when you want to use it is when everyone else does also so getting it in the water can be a wait.
 
Exactly---but the worst is when inclement weather is headed in, there is a mass cluster F to get in & lifted!
No such thing as lounging around in the boat at the slip!
 
It depends on what you like to do. Call ahead and the boat is at the dock waiting for you. When you are done for the day, just leave it at the dock and go home. It takes a lot of work and stress out of the day for some people. Cheaper than renting dock space, but not as social.
Jim
 
My CC was dry stored on an indoor rack. I liked it. Very convenient. The only complaint I had were the black scuff marks from the forklift.
 
had my ski boat racked stored for >10 years. Never had an issue. Tip the handlers
 
I agree with what was said above: it depends on what you like to do. I did it for a season down in Tampa, when I had a 31' cruiser. I absolutely hated it. Always felt like a production to get out and come back in. There was sometimes a wait, although usually not too bad. I did get caught out with an incoming storm once, everyone trying to tie their boats somewhere as they couldn't keep up lifting them. Not fun. Every time, when I was pulled out, then I had to wait around so I could take the time to rinse and wipe all the salt spray off on the hard, before they moved the boat in. But for me the worse really was the different boating experience. Just not how I like to use my boat... I like to hang out at the boat, spend weekends on it etc. Go work on it and be on it even if the weather is bad. Leave stuff in the fridge. Not necessarily about being social, but about having the boat always accessible and being able to mess around on it at any time. I could see for a smaller boat how this setup would make sense though, if you just like to go out and come back. Basically an easier and more expensive alternative to trailering.
 
Did rack storage for years. Great marina, called when about 1hr away, boat in water and ready to whe we arrived. One hiccup in all those years, called and was advised they were unable, the forklift brakes failed and it went in the water! I would suggest not being on the second story.
 
Did it for 1 season in Charlotte Harbor Fl with my 22' center console. Overall expierence was very good. Only negitives was how dirty the boat got but they let me use my full cover and that solved the dirt problem. They had a outdoor cleaning rack and you just called ahead and they put the boat on an outdoor rack with water avaiable. Even though not a problem with the 22' boat charging the batteries is a problem in most or all rack storage facilities. My current Fl boat has a Minn Kota on the bow and charging the battery banks would be a problem in rack storage so I keep it in a gated outdoor storage unit on the trailer that has electricity.
 
Another good thing I see is that the building where the rack storage is allows me to store it 12 months of the year. So no shrinkwrap, just a blue tarp cover to keep out dust & dirt. Not weather.
 
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