Boat
Self-Storage
On sunny summer weekends, many of
us can be found out on the open water. Getting out on the lake in a sailboat or
powerboat is relaxing, healing, and very Canadian! Having a boat also means
that you and your family and friends are always ready for fun: fishing,
sailing, water-skiing, hang-gliding, or just cruising around. However, a boat
is a big investment; as well as the initial purchase price, the accessories,
gasoline, maintenance, and storage can all add up.
Some of these costs are beyond
our control, but in recent years, cheaper alternatives for boat self-storage
have appeared. Traditionally, boat owners have had to park their crafts for the
winter at a marina dock or at a storage facility, two pricey options. However,
in today’s sharing economy there is a better choice: space sharing.
Right in
Your Neighbourhood
The idea of using technology to
match people who can supply goods or services with the people who need them is
innovative and efficient. Companies using this idea, like Airbnb or Uber, are considered
part of the "sharing economy.” Space sharing is a concept by which people who
have extra space act as "hosts” for people who have items to store. Because
such arrangements can be easily facilitated through an internet platform,
overhead costs are low, and the savings are passed on to the renter. The
sharing economy has other positive effects, too; it’s more environmentally
friendly than conventional storage, and it helps to build community.
Space sharing allows you to find
someone in your neighbourhood who has an empty garage or shed where you can
store your boat safely through the winter months. You simply register (for
free) with a reputable space sharing company and specify the type of storage
space you’re looking for. The company’s platform will display possibilities in
your area, and you can choose which one you’d like to rent. If you apply and
the host accepts you as a renter, the space sharing company will help to
facilitate all of the arrangements.
Safe
Systems and Procedures
A company specializing in space
sharing will have various procedures in place to ensure that your boat will be
safe and sound until you’re ready to take it out on the water again. These
include providing a legal agreement that will be signed by you and by the host
that sets out the terms of the rental. (Terms might include spelling out how
you will gain access to the site, for example.) If you have trouble with a
host, the space sharing company can help you to resolve the issue. All of your
payments will go through the space sharing company’s site, which should use a
secure payment system such as PayPal to process monthly payments.
And, speaking of payments…you can
expect fees for space sharing to be much lower than those charged by
conventional storage companies – in many cases, up to 50% lower!
Explore better, more affordable
storage options for your boat. Visit a space sharing site today, and learn more
about available storage near you.