Indoor Winter Storage

[ROXANNE]

I’d like to find somewhere I can store my 34 ft sailing boat indoors this winter – ideally somewhere where l'm allowed to work on her. Would much appreciate suggestions for boatyards with such facilities.

 

[Aurai]

There is a single boat shed on the Medway, along the foreshore from MYC. no road access, but a sideways slip etc. Turks Yard in the Historic Chatham Dockyard, has full slip facilities and may be worth talking to. Or join us with a full plastic sheeted cover built around scaffold frame arrangement. Not saying I can guarantee you a place ashore, but most find the membership costs plus v modest store costs come in far less than a yard with slip way And your boat may not fit our hoist. Anyway, the two sheds described above are options.

 

[Boathook]

I’d like to find somewhere I can store my 34 ft sailing boat indoors this winter – ideally somewhere where l'm allowed to work on her. Would much appreciate suggestions for boatyards with such facilities.

Few and far in the UK. Storage in sheds seems to be a eastern European thing where the winters are much worse so inside storage

 

[johnalison]

It is almost universal in the Baltic for boats of any size, and not unduly expensive. I think that the cost in this country would spoil the fun of trying. I would have thought that you would do better to arrange a short stay indoors and be prepared to get the necessary work done in a week or two, in one of a number of yards where this is possible, maybe taking a week off work to do the work, if this is relevant.

I didn't see the Netherlands tag, since there are many facilities over there that I have seen. Our comments refer to the UK, but maybe your boat is here.

 

[pvb]

I’d like to find somewhere I can store my 34 ft sailing boat indoors this winter – ideally somewhere where l'm allowed to work on her. Would much appreciate suggestions for boatyards with such facilities.

You need to tell us where your boat is based.

 

[PeterWright]

Hi Roxanne,

Since you posted yout enquiry here, I assume you are looking for somewhere on the East Coast of England, Priors yard in Burnham-on - Crouch has a large old red shed by the river used I believe, entirely for that purpose They also have a 30 ton crane, a tractor and wheeled cradles to transport the boat from the river to the shed. You might enquire of the owner, Robin Prior: +44 1621 782160 ,

Peter.

 

[ROXANNE]

Thanks for the replies so far, particularly Aurai and Peter I shall certainly follow up on those suggestions. PVB - the boat is not really based anywhere at the moment. We (that is the boat and I) are at the moment on the Sussex coast heading east ( or will be when the wind stops howling in the rigging). I shall probably be spending a large part of the winter in the UK and circumstances make the east coast a practical location this year. As I will almost certainly make several return ferry trips to the Netherlands - logistically somewhere near harwich - would be good, but given the limited number of yards/marinas with indoor storage that is a secondary consideration. Jonalison/Boathook - yes I think you're right Northern Europe does for obvious reasons have more facilities of the sort I'm looking for but there are other more southern parts of Europe with boats sheds. For instance Brittany - my last boat spent one winter in a sizeable boatshed just outside Brest

Any more Ideas would be most welcome.

 

[jon and michie]

North Fambridge Marina on the River Crouch has large storage sheds with access to work on your boat - (I think 24hrs a day access)

 

[wingdiver]

Fox's at Ipswich hasa a 'tent' where one boat can be stored ashore. It's a good place to work on a boat as there are numerous services on site and one of the best chandleries on the East Coast. I imagine the tent gets booked quickly but it would be worth a quick call. If you can't find somewhere, could you get a temporary structure put over her to work under (wooden frame and plastic sheeting)?

 

[Tomahawk]

There are a couple of very large empty sheds in Brightlingsea at the moment in the Shipyard Estate. You may be able to hire for the winter?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I don't suppose it's big enough, but Titchmarsh rent shipping containers. I think you might get the length but probably not the beam.

 

[Major_Clanger]

If your enquiries come to nought then a good alternative would be a farm. Grain stores are often empty by winter and you'd have all the space you could need. I'd also imagine that any additional travel costs would be offset by the fact the storage itself is likely to be very much cheaper than a boatyard.

 

[WoodyP]

Try Fosdyke Boatyard. They have a few self builders as well as their own work. You may be lucky.

 

[Poecheng]

Another consideration is Bedwells at Walton on the Naze. They have a shed with two slips. We have stayed in there and very good it is too.

 

[Cobra]

I would definitely second either:

Fambridge where their on site services are superb if so required and they have all the facilities if you want to DIY including various machine tools!

or

Fox's as has been mentioned does have a large 'tent' facility, again great on site services and probably the best chandlery on the East Coast. The other big plus for Fox's is proximity to Felixstowe/Harwich for ferry crossings or Stansted for flights.

Both have more than adequate facilities to haul out, move and re-launch a 34 footer!

 

[Bigplumbs]

If you can get space ashore. Large storage tents are available from a company called Dancover. They are not actually that expensive and the yard might allow you to put one up. After you have finished it you might be able to sell it on for a few quid

Scroll down this page you may well get what you need for about £2,500

Boat Shelters - Dancovershop UK

 

[Capt Popeye]

Might suggest looking at the yard at Faversham Kent ,its an Old Style Yard with most boats being worked on by owners , their friends plus the occasional Yard Proffeshional ; long term hard standing with a scaff built around it and cover might suit ; yard is directly on the water with cranes etc to move it ; plus a Chandlery (was there a few years ago now ) ; road access so parking can be alongside boat seems usuall ; 8 mins to Faversham Town for facilities ; a friendly Yard and Town

 

[DoubleEnder]

Might suggest looking at the yard at Faversham Kent ,its an Old Style Yard with most boats being worked on by owners , their friends plus the occasional Yard Proffeshional ; long term hard standing with a scaff built around it and cover might suit ; yard is directly on the water with cranes etc to move it ; plus a Chandlery (was there a few years ago now ) ; road access so parking can be alongside boat seems usuall ; 8 mins to Faversham Town for facilities ; a friendly Yard and Town

This is Iron Wharf boatyard. No shed but you may be able to put up your own tent.

 

[Tomahawk]

That would be Toby who is the manager.

 

[ianc1200]

Like to add my experience in case useful.

There is a national shortage of storage tents. Dancover had nothing suitable a few weeks ago, but they gave me a list of what was expected late November & mid December.

I'm at Titchmarsh, and they themselves have been looking at storage tents that are placed between/over shipping containers. There are various sizes available & in stock.

I looked at scaffolding with a "tin hat". I'm a building inspector in west London and asked the loft conversion contractors re costs - £4k for a 12 week hire average.

However I was looking to cover two wooden boats, a 12m x 12m size, and had quotes for 6 month rent of £7.2k + VAT to £10k + VAT.

I've reverted back to storage tents, if you look there are people who have them & have had a 12m one arrive already, and another 8m one due on Monday.

I have a couple of containers at Titchmarsh, I think beyond a big dinghy you wouldn't get a boat in one.

Finally a friend had his 30' wooden boat in one of the Bedwell sheds last summer I believe it cost him £50 a week.