Storing a Single at home

[dharnen]

So I recently purchased a 28ft long single in very good condition. I live in Michigan and don't have a boathouse near me that is available. I looked at a ton of possible ways to store it from renting a 10x30 storage unit, to hanging it from my living room ceiling. After thinking of everything I could it seems that the most convenient and cost effective method of storing it would be to build a "container" in my back yard for it to be stored during the summer months and then move it to my parents 3 car garage's ceiling during the winter. I have a few questions that I'd like to see if anyone could help me with:

First off is it "safe" to store a single outside with only light coverage such as a tarp or boat cover?
- My fear is that the boat may slowly deteriorate if it rains a lot even with a cover on it, or if it happens to hail it could damage the boat.

If I were to build something to cover the single what kind of environment should I be looking to create?
- I tried to upload a visual of my storage concept but the page won't accept .bmp, .pdf, or .png files. If someone can tell me what type of file I can upload I can show my 3D render of my concept

Could something like a small lean-to (like a 3ft wide, 30ft long board at a 45 degree angle with a tarp over the open side) suffice as enough protection?

Thank you in advance for anyone's help.


-Purdue Alumni Rower

[Rvanvoris]

First of all I would recommend getting a well made cover for your boat, that would probably protect it pretty well.
I use a cover sewn by Burnham Boat. It is a well made, padded cover with Sunbrella on the outside quilting on the inside. I took one to my local sailmaker who told me he could not touch it for the price. I see a lot of boats stored outside boat clubs with just a cover. Riverside Boat Club on the Charles in Boston comes to mind
In terms of a shelter you should think about how that boat is going to come into and out of the structure. You should be able to do it easily by yourself. If you count on someone else lifting one end you will limit when you go rowing. While you are at it figure how you will transport the boat to the water and how you will launch.
If it is a lean-to type is there room to go overhead with the hull and out the end? For summer storage you just need protection overhead Thats the way Craftsbury Sculling camp store their fleet.
As a general rule look how others have solved this problem, inventing wheels is rarely a profitable enterprise.
Good luck

[gregsmith01748]

Hi,

I second the suggestion to buy a good cover. I have a zipcover. http://www.zip-cover.com/ Which is tough water repellent fabric on the outside and nice padded inside. It would probably protect a boat from anything short of 1/2" hailstones and falling trees.

I thought about building something like the lean to that you suggested along my back porch, but my boat was actually longer than my porch. The big deal is winter protection. The cover should be enough during the season when you will be using the boat.

What water are you going to be rowing on? How will you access it? I cartopped for a little while and I did not enjoy the experience.

[fishbust1]

No basement? It will fit through the little window if you take them out of the frame!