I've always had the marina store my boat inside over the winter. This year I'm thinking about trying to save $1,000 and storing it myself outside using a homemede frame and tarp.
It will be stored along side the garage, so I should be able to brush the snow off if the snow build-up get too great (last year we had over 48").

Any words of wisdom from those of you who self store?

put the trailer up on blocks, so the weight is off the springs & wheels.

I make a frame with a couple of step ladders (4 ft) and a 2x4 strung across them. Then you can use a tarp or the mooring cover, if you have one.

Winterize, plug out, etc.

Before you purchase the materials and start building...

Check with your local zoning ordinances concerning accessory structures. There might be a required setback from any other structure on the property. A costco canvas carport thing can be referred to as an accessory structure, since it sheds water.

Also, if you are in an HOA area, check their rules.

Good luck!

Years ago I used to store my 20' boat in secure outdoor storage and didn't have much luck keeping a tarp through windy weather. I tried everything from wrapping it tight to creating a ridge pole to help shed the snow. The ridge pole created a tent effect which really grabbed the wind. One time I had the trailer break free of its wheel chocks and swing into a car that was parked in the storage area. By wind I am talking about the storms with the 40-50 MPH gusts.

If I had to do outdoor storage again I would look into having a marina shrink wrap the boat since it seems to hold up good. Block the trailer to relieve the weight and keep it from moving. Also try your best to store it bow into the wind to reduce the amount of wind hitting the boat.

Also, if you leave the tires on the blocked trailer get some of the RV tire covers to protect the tires from UV and be sure the tongue/surge brake area has a good coating of grease or silicone to keep the corrosion down. I never block mine but since it is 4 hrs from the house I put jack stands underneath it in case the tires go down it wont rest on the outdrive.

Right now I have our Party Cruiser covered with one big, cheap tarp and it's already withstood two high-wind microburst storms and one day of sustained 40mph wind. The trick is to get a tarp thats plenty large, and the tarp needs to be tight.

Harbor freight has these these really cool, new tarp "clips", I can take pics later, but they're yellow and they look like this:



I didn't draw it right, but the edges of the clip are molded round, like rope. Also, the big hole isn't entirely round because you have to snap the wheel into it. The plasitic is flexible, and what you do is gather up the loose layers of tarp, put the wheel under the layers then snap the clip over the wheel. This cinches up the tarp and gives you another tie-down point. And you can put them anywhere for an extra tie-down point. Works WAY better that typical tooth-type clips which can slide off. Pack of 15 was like $12.95 so less that a buck each.

All I used to do for a snow frame on my cruiser boats was blanket up the dashboard and rear deck real good, then just laid 8 or 10 2x4's (cut to length) from the dashboard to the back.

Previously I self stored for a few snowy winters.

Do you have a tower on the boat. If so, putting the tarp over the top makes a nice tent to help the snow slide off. I used the clips described above so I could tie it down better. I also strung webbing over the tower and to the front and back to add some more reinforcement. I also kept a cover support system under the main cover to ensure there was adequate support for the rain and snow.

Then onto the blocks it went and would monitor during heavy snows and bang the snow off as necessary. It worked.

I would be scared about building a structure to park the boat under unless you do it right. Snow gets heavy in a hurry and if it fails, the snow and wood could cause some serious damage.

Having the boat shrink wrapped may be a better alternative. There is now a company that sells shrink wrap with draw strings and zippers. Get it shrunk up once then you can remove it and use it for a couple of years. An innertube inflated and standing between the front seats or right begind the windshield can provide some nice support as well.

I park my boat indoors all year long. I pay extra, but it sure helps to keep the gelcoat from hazing from the weather. It also keeps the sun off of the tires and is a little more secure than leaving it out for all to see. It's not a climate controled unit though so inside it's not any warmer than outside during the winter.

I'm all in favor of winter storage. How about we keep winter up in say.....Alaska....they seem to like it a lot and they know how to handle it.

We could get a little of it out say around Christmas....


Then put it right back.

Maybe we could store it with all the car keys I have lost.

Here's pics of my tarp job and those clips and how they work...









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The clip in the bottom pic is holding 2 folds/4 layers of tarp material. They'll work with any material, you can take up slack or add a tie down anyplace. Something that works, wish I'd invented them!

I have a tent-style cover for the front, but it's more of a fair-weather cover. It doesn't cover the top half of the sliding door, and even with extra props heavy snow pushed the poles & grommets thru the material last winter. So I went back to leaving the bimini & sides up. I have a 2x4 framework inside to help support the snow...

Get a good quality winter cover that has plenty of places where you can snug it down tight with lines running under the boat.

To help keep snow off the boat cover, take an inflatable tube (the kind you pull behind the boat or a large truck tire tube) and inflate it. Put it on its edge, between the front seats. It should be taller than your windshield.

I also put that foam pipe insulation over the top of the windshield frame, on the grab rails in the bow and stern to provide padding under the winter cover.

Put the winter cover on and secure it very tightly using the pieces FR showed or with lines running under the boat (but not under the trailer frame).

Winter storage is no big deal. Just go out once in awhile and brush the snow off the cover with a broom. If you get a nice warm day in the spring, pull the cover up and let the warm air dry out the interior of the boat.

I did exactly as you are thinking about when we lived in western Massachusetts -- lots of snow there most winters also (pre-global warming --LOL) ----- stored it alongside the house -- no issues --(I always have researched boat storage regulations before we buy the house, that is a prerequisite for me, and important enough that it has often determined which house we buy) I also winterized the engine and drive myself.

Just be sure you use heavy lumber -- 2x4's and 2x6's --- snow gets heavy and as much as you say you will sweep away the snow -- it doesn't always work out timing wise --