Storing boat at home

[frank2644]

I want to have a transporter bring my boat home for the winter and put the boat in my side yard, but I am concerned because they will have to drive over my front lawn and I assume that will damage it.

I spoke to one transporter and he said that if I bought 3/4" plywood he would work with me to drive over it although the lawn might still be damaged. He also said I would have to buy the blocking materials myself and he would supply the list (something like 25 cement blocks and some wood).

I was hoping that the transporters encounter this lawn problem frequently and would be prepared to cope with it. I also assumed that the transporter would supply any blocking materials of course at a cost.

So in summary, it looks like my lawn is at risk and I will have to find room to store a lot of plywood and blocking materials.

Anybody have any related experiences to share or any suggestions?

I live in Long Island, NY.

Thanks.

 

[67vetteal]

If you have the boat moved during a dry week or so the ground will not be as soft. Also, the chocking supplies will b e used for a few years so the expense is not so bad. Al W.

 

[Henry Boyd]

There has been a lot discussion on the concrete blocks vs wooden here you might do a search for some of the threads. I personally would not use concrete given the risk they might crack. Also boat stands will knock the amount of blocking needed significantly. For each stand you should also put down a sheet of 1/2 - 3/4" plywood as the stands might sink into the lawn during the spring.

Henry

 

[Groucho]

I used to do that...
I don't anymore...find a nice dry barn or storage area to put it in...
Looking at it with the snow and ice all over it during winter made it all the longer...:smt089

 

[Sundancer]

As mentioned above, turn off your sprinklers and hope for a really dry week. You could wait until there is frost and then bring it in? That would alleviate the tracks. It's nice to have next to the house. That's where we store ours and we have a tarp over a PVC pipe structure so we can get in to play or make motor sounds whenever we need too! :grin:

 

[At Ease]

Neighbors have to love seeing boats and tarps in the neighborhood...My suggestion, store it at a reputable marina close to home...

 

[frank2644]

Thanks everyone for all the feedback.

I'll be talking to another transporter as well as my marina and then decide which way to go.

 

[DCarl320]

Frank,

Have you thought about putting it on a trailer? I have never blocked a boat before but I could only imagine that a trailer would be more stable once things start to settle, or you get alot of rain.

Plus it might be cheaper to have it moved in and out (read buddy with a truck).

 

[frank2644]

Frank,

Have you thought about putting it on a trailer? I have never blocked a boat before but I could only imagine that a trailer would be more stable once things start to settle, or you get alot of rain.

Plus it might be cheaper to have it moved in and out (read buddy with a truck).

Actually that does sound like a good idea, but I don't have a trailer and to buy one sounds a little expensive. Maybe I'll poke around and see what the used trailers cost in my area.

Thanks.