Lake Tahoe offers boaters some of the most spectacular scenery of any freshwater lake in the western United States. Every year thousands of locals and tourists visit to sail and motor the lake with both private and rented boats.
But when the season ends, boat owners may be left wondering: Where do I store my craft during the cold winter months?
The good news is that there are a variety of Lake Tahoe boat storage options available. There are a couple you may not have been aware of.
Home Storage vs. Storage Facilities
Whether you already own a boat or are considering buying one, it’s worth examining (or re-examining) the pros and cons of home storage versus a dedicated boat storage facility.
Cost
Storing your boat at home is, obviously, free. The only real cost to you is whatever space your boat occupies that could be used for something else.
Convenience
Home storage can be a pro or con, depending on where you live. If you live close to the lake, getting there probably isn’t an issue. If you live farther away, it may not be nearly as convenient to bring your boat to the lake each time you want to go out on the water.
Hauling a boat can be stressful, especially for those with little or no experience pulling a trailer. Additionally, your vehicle needs to be capable of pulling whatever size craft you’ve bought. Finally, the farther away you live, the more you’ll pay for gas each visit.
Security
How secure your boat is at home will depend on where you live. The two primary concerns with home boat storage are theft and vandalism. If you live in a safe neighborhood and don’t worry about crime in general, this isn’t something to worry about.
If you are concerned, security is one of the biggest benefits of dedicated boat storage facilities. Premium boat storage locations offer excellent security and peace of mind during the long winter months.
Exposure
The good news here is that your boat isn’t being exposed to saltwater and air. This saves years of life on your vessel. Nonetheless, wind, rain, snow, and the hot sun can all take a toll on the life of your boat.
Indoor storage provides the best atmosphere available in this regard. If you’re storing your boat at home and can’t put it in a garage or similar environment, you’ll need to keep it covered as much as possible.
Lake Tahoe Boat Storage Areas
If storing your boat at home isn’t an option, that means you’ll need to find a dedicated Lake Tahoe boat storage facility. And if you think the only place to store your boat is in the immediate Lake Tahoe area, you’ll be happy to know there are other options to consider.
Generally speaking, there are three primary areas that Lake Tahoe boaters should look at when considering where to store their boats:
The Lake Tahoe shoreline
Reno/Sparks area in Nevada
The Sierra Foothills in California
While each of these locations offers boat owners dedicated winter storage options, they come at different costs. While you may think that storing your boat at the lake itself is the most expensive option because it’s the most convenient, you’d be half right. It’s certainly the most expensive, but in fact, all three locations can be equally convenient.
Premium boat storage providers typically offer additional services beyond just basic storage that can make your life a lot easier. This includes things like draining and replacing fluids, upholstery maintenance, cleaning the hull, and general upkeep to make sure your boat is always ready to go out on the water.
Some facilities offer transportation services to and from the lake. Taking advantage of transportation services means where you store your boat doesn’t matter. Plus, it may cost less than storing it at a more expensive facility closer to the lake.
Lake Tahoe Shoreline
Boat storage at the Lake is typically offered through one of the local marinas. For those who own Lake Tahoe property, this may seem like the obvious choice. However, prices here are the most expensive of any other storage option. Dry rack outdoor storage pricing starts at around $1,949 per month. Indoor storage is not widely available.
Reno/Sparks, Nevada
There are a few dedicated boat storage options in the Reno/Sparks area. Many storage facilities that advertise “boat storage” are just standard storage lockers that aren’t designed specifically for boats. Pricing starts at about $275 per month.
Sierra Foothills, California
At GoldKey Marine in the Sierra Foothills, premium indoor boat storage starts at $249 per month for boats from 20 to 25 feet. GoldKey offers a range of VIP membership services to help keep your boat maintained and ready for use whenever you want to go out onto Lake Tahoe. Boat transport service is part of the Platinum VIP service.
Finding The Right Fit
Not everyone may need (or want) to keep their boat at the Lake itself. If you’re shopping for Lake Tahoe boat storage options, consider looking at alternate locations and facilities that may suit your needs better over the long term.
There’s a big difference between “storing” your boat on the water tied to a buoy, and a premium indoor facility staffed with knowledgeable professionals.
