Boat Storage Opportunities Abound

July 31st, 2007

There’s plenty of opportunity for self-storage facilities among the boating market. Whether it’s in the ocean or on a lake, every summer millions of boating enthusiasts take to the water for as long as daylight is available.

The opportunity arises, in part, because many cities and towns have passed ordinances saying that bulky vehicles like boats must be hidden behind a 7-foot fence so that they’re not visible in driveways or streets. However, a mandate like that leaves boat owners in a lurch. And with more people looking into the purchase of boats, the problem of storage will only get worse.

“If your facility is on the way to the lake, you’ve got a great opportunity with boat storage,” said Dean Brown, president of American Steel Buildings. “Boat owners can’t store at home. Docks are convenient, but they’re pricy and there’s limited space. A steel or metal building for boat storage could be the best of both worlds.”

According to Brown, boat storage isn’t too different from regular self-storage, and may even be easier in some cases. A nice boat can cost around $50,000 or more, so boat owners are going to be willing to pay well and on time for good storage and peace of mind.

“You can even offer little extras for the boat owners,” Brown said. “Give them easy hook-up, where all they have to do is call ahead and you’ll bring the boat out for them. Make sure you have security cameras in the facility and a guard on premises. That will help your customers feel like they’re getting more than their money’s worth.”

A boat storage facility can also offer protection from the elements, which boat owners would be unable to get at home with just a tarp to protect their investment. Although some clients might hesitate to lose the chance at an easy-access spot at the docks, Brown suggests offering 24-hour access to your storage facility so they won’t feel any inconvenience.

“Recreational boating is a big deal,” said Brown. “And as long as it continues, people will need a place to store their boats when they’re not using them. That’s a niche we can fill.”

Brown is correct. But like I always say, just because you build it doesn’t mean the boaters will come in droves. You have to get the word out about your new product in order to fill your facility with boating-related revenues.

Entry Filed under: Strategic Counseling, Marketing & Ad Campaigns