A private boat is an investment for its owner. It brings one of the best memories of life. As a boater, you would like to protect your investment at all costs. But you can’t be boating 365 days a year. It needs a resting place like a boat carport structure during off-season months. You can keep your boat in water or on land. Problems with water become prominent, especially during the winter season.
Storing your boat offshore in a rental unit will turn out to be a costly affair in the long run. Therefore, buying one is a better option. But why is a metal boat cover a good choice? Let’s see.
With metal, you can get a sturdy and wide carport without spending too much and without worrying about structural integrity. You can buy steel covers of up to 300 ft. width with no internal support. Each boat varies in width, length, and height. You can go as high as 40 ft. with a metal boat carport.
The objective of the steel carport is to provide a parking area with a minimal budget and low aftercare. Even if you decide not to own a boat in the future, you can still use a steel carport for multiple applications, like keeping seasonal gear and garden tools or converting it into a greenhouse.
You can add full or partial side panels for extra protection to keep direct sun and rain away from your boat. That being said, let’s explore it in detail.
Provide Shade To Boat
Keeping your boat out in the open is the last thing you would want to do. It will be subjected to direct environmental conditions like harsh UV rays, rain, snow, dust & debris. You may think a fabric cover will do a good job at a price.
But the problem is – dust particles might get inside the fabric and rub against your boat. This will scratch or even remove the paint over time. In addition, it won’t be safe from hail and your neighbor’s kids practicing home runs. This is where a metal boat cover comes in handy.
Cost: A metal carport will cost you approximately $10 to $30 per sq. ft. You can even buy a prefab steel carport for sale at a price of around $6 to $8 per sq. ft.
Protect From Elements
Steel is a strong, lightweight, and durable material. When certified and designed by an engineer, it can withstand wind speed of 150 to 170 mph and snow load of 40 lbs. or more per sq. ft. And that’s not it. You can add braces and anchors to attach it to the ground firmly.
You can add reflective or light color paint to the roof to reflect off maximum sunlight. It will keep the inside temperature relatively cooler than the surroundings. You can add dark color paint if you want to keep your carport shade warmer than the surroundings.
A metal boat cover with a vertical roof and a ridge cap will slide off the majority of dust and debris toward the ground. It requires the least upkeep. That’s why it is recommended for extreme weather areas.
Dry Docking Saves On Maintenance
You have two options when it comes to parking your boat. Either you can store it in water or transport it to your home, where a metal boat cover is waiting to save your boat from anything nature throws at it.
Storing your boat in water may seem convenient at first glance, but you will have to deal with higher maintenance due to corrosion, hull damage/ delamination, engine degradation, condensation, mildew, mold, algae growth, etc.
To avoid all this and increase the life span of boats, most owners keep them ashore. A metal boat cover is the best choice as it protects the boat itself and demands less care in its lifetime. So, you can have a worry-free winter.
Versatile Outdoor Storage
Now, you may wonder what will happen to the metal boat carport once your boat is in the water again. You will be delighted to know that there are multiple uses for steel carports, such as:
- Parking Cars/ RV
- Deck/ Patio Cover
- Outdoor Event
- Storage Shed
- Pavilion
- Greenhouse
- Workspace
- Solar Panels
- Recreational Area
When your boat is out in the water, you can use a carport for any of the purposes mentioned above; when it is back, you can store it again without any worry. Isn’t that great? But what size carport should you buy? Not all boats are the same, and neither is the carport.
General Sizes Of Boat Carports
|
Types Of Boats |
Length | Width |
|
Runabouts |
10 to 30 ft. | 22 to 30 ft. |
|
Towboats |
35 ft.+ | 21ft.+ |
|
Fishing Boats |
25 ft.+ |
16 ft.+ |
| Sailboats | 12 to 14 ft. (small)
40 to 50 ft.+ (ocean) |
Varies with size |
| Cabin Cruisers | 18 to 28 ft.+ |
8 ft.+ |
| Pontoon Boats | 20 to 25 ft. |
12 ft. |
The average height of boats is between 4 to 14 ft. The large sailboats that are 30 ft. longer have masts up to 30 ft. tall, and 40 ft.+ longer boats have a mast of 50 ft. or more.
Note: You must know that boats’ maximum legal load height is 13 ft. 6 inches, and the width limit is 8 ft. 6 inches for transportation. You will need a special permit for specialized shipping if you have a larger boat.
You Might Like: The Beauty of Sliding Wardrobes in Home Organization
As A Final Observation,
It is best to customize a metal carport that fits your boat precisely. Your metal boat cover is an eco-friendly and recyclable structure compared to the available alternatives. The boat carport comes with low maintenance. It requires cleaning once or twice a year with water, mild detergent, and a garden hose.
For a long-lasting metal boat carport, consider getting durable & high-quality steel with a zinc coating that prevents rusting. It is best to protect your boat and increase its lifespan. So, investing in it is a good idea.
