Storage Vendor Headaches

Ramblin' Guy

Ramblin' Guy

Active Member
Nov 8, 2021
156
Grand Haven, MI
Boat Info
1997 370 Sundancer
Engines
370 hp 7.4 MPI Horizon w/V drives
Is anyone else having difficulty getting in to their storage facility to do work on their boat? I switched to a new heated storage facility this off season and they are extremely particular about letting boat owners in to do work. They want a $2 million umbrella policy, interview with owners, and then there’s a bunch of restrictions on what you can do, of course during work hours. I’m used to the open flame, fuel system type of activities and maybe bottom painting and buffing, but it seems like this is getting over the top. Like the facility but they’re making it impossible to practically stay there. Are all facilities going to this?
 
I was in mine a month ago without any issues. Just have to sign in and they give me the key.

Not supposed to do painting or anything thqt might affect other boats, but aside from that I've had no issues.

Need to go back in a few weeks and will see if anything changed.
 
Dock neighbor uses an indoor facility. They have very few rules. In the past there were issues with sanding bottom paint and buffing that affected many boats . This year nine boats were broken into and tools stolen when someone hired a kid to buff his boat and he brought a "friend" to help. Turns out the "friend" helped himself to everybody else's boat. After this incident there are new rules that only allow people to enter when the owner is present . I can understand all the reasons for tightly managing this process . I think the biggest concern is fire due to battery chargers, heaters, extension cords, etc.
 
What you're describing is more the rule rather than the exception around my parts. I'd imagine it's that Marina's 1.) don't want the liability associated with DIY'ers and 2.) they want you to pay them to do the work with their employees. Makes sense.
 
Our storage marina was pretty accessible until one of the customers started a fire several years ago that damaged or destroyed 80 or 90 boats in one of the buildings. Be careful what you wish for.
 
Ours is pretty good. Basically anything that will make a mess is a no-no. But you can get in and clean until your hearts content, do outdrive services, and fix/install what you want. My biggest problem is people use my ladder and don't return it, so I spend the first 15 min. looking for it.
 
Our winter storage facility is pretty strict but I prefer it that way. I’ve gone numerous times already this winter with no issues. They don’t open on the weekends until mid February. But other then that no issues here near Lake St Clair, MI.
 
Golfman25 said:
Ours is pretty good. Basically anything that will make a mess is a no-no. But you can get in and clean until your hearts content, do outdrive services, and fix/install what you want. My biggest problem is people use my ladder and don't return it, so I spend the first 15 min. looking for it.
Click to expand...
Padlock your ladder to the Jack stands using a bicycle cable.
 
Ramblin' Guy said:
Is anyone else having difficulty getting in to their storage facility to do work on their boat? I switched to a new heated storage facility this off season and they are extremely particular about letting boat owners in to do work. They want a $2 million umbrella policy, interview with owners, and then there’s a bunch of restrictions on what you can do, of course during work hours. I’m used to the open flame, fuel system type of activities and maybe bottom painting and buffing, but it seems like this is getting over the top. Like the facility but they’re making it impossible to practically stay there. Are all facilities going to this?
Click to expand...
Where I store, they disconnect batteries and under no circumstances can they be connected during storage. You can work on your boat, buff and polish and do anything that doesn’t cause a spark. Most cover their boats in plastic to avoid the dust. What I like is they don’t sandwich the boats in too tight so you can actually move around the boat.
 
Golfman25 said:
Ours is pretty good. Basically anything that will make a mess is a no-no. But you can get in and clean until your hearts content, do outdrive services, and fix/install what you want. My biggest problem is people use my ladder and don't return it, so I spend the first 15 min. looking for it.
Click to expand...
Cable locked to transom fitting all winter. Still there. Ya memory sucks, keep combo in Notes on iPhone. With the gate and clubhouse codes.
E9EE775C-0AE5-4001-AD73-DD2A24A23176.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Stee6043 said:
What you're describing is more the rule rather than the exception around my parts. I'd imagine it's that Marina's 1.) don't want the liability associated with DIY'ers and 2.) they want you to pay them to do the work with their employees. Makes sense.
Click to expand...

yeah, I think we’re in the same neck of the woods given your avatar. Last year, my old Marina let me do anything that didn’t make a mess or a spark in heated storage. I thought that was reasonable, although they charged me to stage the boat in the parking lot in the spring before launch which I thought was a little petty. I couldn’t get in with them this year because my new boat appeared after the storage was filled, so I tried a new up and coming spot that has storage only. No service. Which makes it hard to get your bottom painted. I’m really worried I’m gonna run out of time this spring. Lots to do.
 
Ramblin' Guy said:
yeah, I think we’re in the same neck of the woods given your avatar. Last year, my old Marina let me do anything that didn’t make a mess or a spark in heated storage. I thought that was reasonable, although they charged me to stage the boat in the parking lot in the spring before launch which I thought was a little petty. I couldn’t get in with them this year because my new boat appeared after the storage was filled, so I tried a new up and coming spot that has storage only. No service. Which makes it hard to get your bottom painted. I’m really worried I’m gonna run out of time this spring. Lots to do.
Click to expand...
Yeah that is petty. My place isn't affraid to charge, but they moved my boat to the lot without issue so I could paint, wash and wax.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,186
Messages
1,428,170
Members
61,097
Latest member
Mdeluca407
Back
Top