boat storage

[Guest]

I can't fit my boats (jon boat, 3 inflatable cats, raft, and various kayak/canoes, 2 trailers) in the garage. I am trying to figure out where to store everything, preferable out of the sun and weather. It would be nice if all the boat/whitewater gear and fishing gear could be stored in one place.

I have a gravel pad area (30x30) in the backyard, it looks like the previous owner might have kept an RV on it. It does have about 1 foot of slope on it. It is adjacent to my lawn mower shed (which is full with a walk-behind and shovels, racks, wheel barrel etc. It also has power) However, to drive through the front yard to get there would really tear up the yard. For about half the year (too wet, lots of clay), I would not be able to drive through at all. Also there is just enough slope between the gravel and the street that it would be hard to pull the trailer by hand.

I am thinking about building a temporary storage area in the gravel. By temporary I mean 3-5 years, basically until I can save up to build a detached 2-car garage off the end of the driveway (current 2 car garage is attached to house and 90 degrees off the driveway and has no storage room when you have wife's car on one side and kids bicycle, garbage cans, a shelve for tools etc on the other side).

Long story short, looking at options (and CFF opinions):

1) jam as much as possible on the trailers, then park them on the gravel with a fitted boat cover and/or tarps. All other gear stored in cramped garage. This would keep the sun off the inflatables, but not really protect them from mildew. Jon boat would get covered but only to keep leaves out.

2) Get a carport for storage on the gravel. I am thinking metal like this: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/s....14340_200314340 Still would have gear in garage though.

3) Tarp Material Garage/RV house--something like this: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/di....=112&zmap=94182
I have concerns about the tarp material lasting for the full 3-5 year period.

4) Go ahead and buy a building: http://www.usaqualitysteelbuildings.com/....862981843948750
although I am afraid that is option might lead to no future 2-bay garage.

PS I have no zoning issues (10 ft setback, but I might be grandfather in with 5 ft setback).

Anybody got any advice? Any suggestions on places to shop?

 

[AThornton]

I could look at pricing you a Kirby pre-engineered steel building

 

[Guest]

Thanks XLDVee. I'll pm you some specs, once I get the area measured out.

 

[AThornton]

Yea do that, and let me know what you are looking at in terms of the garage itself. Whether you want fully enclosed with roll up doors, walk doors, or just open walls like a lean-to style building or pole barn, etc.

 

[Carl Guffey]

<font size="2">In working with this situation in the past I found a simple solution.A 2car garage with 2, 8(9) x 10 ft doors, building dimension 30' x 32' center support beam with two posts mid garage. I use ten foot doors to give you more backing room with a boat and 32 ft. deep so that you can walk around a 20 ft. boat with all of the doors closed. Pour 10 piers and lay 16 X 16 inch block columns to prescribed height (9 OR 10 FT.) and build covered roof area with roof trusses and osb, finish with soffit, fascia and gutters. This will give you a dry, covered storage area that can be finished at your leisure. Example,ie. first pour the floor, save more money fill in between block columns, siding, paint, done....</font>

 

[SNUFFY]

You`ve just described my Carport Carl.....although I used the 30' clearview trusses .No need for center support . 30x 26 foot of open space under roof not counting the overhangs. It amazing how having all that open space helps when maneuvering vehicles and boats around. I got the clearview trusses for my house/garage and carport from an outfit in Greenville Tn for about 32$ a truss. They usually have an ad in the Bargain Mart. I can look `em up you if needed R14. I saw the ad a few weeks ago...same price and they`ll build them to your size. Engineered.

 

[SNUFFY]

I just happened to pick up a Bargain Mart yesterday and saw the Landmark Systems ad for trusses and the 30' clearviews are now 41$.