What could be better than owning a boat? You can sail the high seas or even glide through the calmness of the lake on crisp April afternoons or sizzling August nights. However, after a while, you’ll have to return to land, which is the worst part about having boats: parking for boats.
Your friends appreciate your business and are ready to feed you with food and drink since you’re their buddy on a boat. Whether a quick fishing boat on the bayou or a beautiful oceangoing sailboat for an evening cruise, you’ve got the power to do what so many of us land-lubbers wish: go out on the water.
You may be wealthy enough to have a parking lot for boats situated a few acres away from your private boat launch, next to the stables and hangar. (Right? It’s not like a typical 533-foot luxury yacht can be towed, is it?) But, for the sake of argument, consider yourself an average American rather than the Sultan of Brunei.
You’ve worked hard to save up for a boat and now have to store it somewhere secure and legal when you’re not using it.
Parking for boats in the driveway?
While it’s not the best look, parking for a boat in the backyard protects you from nosy or envious neighbors.
If you own a driveway or a garage and live in an understanding homeowners association, the best solution is that you can keep your boat there. Many boats are stored unattached and covered in driveways when not in use.
You may believe that anything on your driveway is your personal property, but you’d be surprised at how many townships, municipalities, and homeowners associations are one step ahead of you; boats in driveways appear unsightly to the aesthetically sensitive and jealous passers-by.
Therefore you may have to keep your boat behind the sightlines of your house or in the rear where it’s not visible.
House owner associations are more likely to be straightforward about what is. They aren’t permissible in your driveway, but if you don’t have an HOA breathing down your neck, you may want to inquire with the city government whether you have to conceal your boat from view or allow it to be seen by the neighbors.
Parking the boats on the street?
According to our study, street parking for recreational vehicles like boat trailers is generally prohibited above a specific duration. It’s sometimes just a matter of 48 or 72 hours. It prevents homeowners from using the street for parking for boat storage spots. However, the more boat-friendly a location (on the shore of an ocean or a lake), the more stringent its rules are likely.
For example, it is unlawful in Houston to park a boat trailer on any street. This is for more than two hours within one week; unless the boat is actively in the process of loading or unloading.
The City of Oceanside allows larger automobiles like boat trailers to park on city streets for up to 72 hours. Nevertheless, they had to establish stringent regulations regarding when those vehicles should move to prevent boat owners from driving 10 feet down the road every three days.
Most of the time, parking for boats becomes an issue when residents start to voice their displeasure. However, specific measures in a waterfront region may differ from one municipality to the next.
Sea Isle City, located along the southern Jersey Shore, allows boats with trailers to park legally. This is as long as they connect to their automobiles. Galloway Township doesn’t allow street parking overnight for recreational vehicles.
Avalon’s residents successfully banned boat parking during the summer. This was due to how overcrowded the small seaside town gets. Finally, you’ll have to contact your city’s DOT if you’ve just bought a brand-new speedboat. It is to find out how long you can park on city streets or whether that’s even permission.
Parking the boats in a parking lot?
Never try to park your yacht in a parking garage. Most boats on trailers are too tall to make the clearance, and you don’t want to risk damaging your vessel.
There may also be a public or private parking lot for boats near marinas and launching points. Both of which will be either publicly or privately managed.
Public or municipal parking lots adjacent to marinas typically allow loading and unloading into the water and trailer hitch-on. Especially while you’re out on the boat. When you’re seeking long-term storage close to your launch point, you’ll most likely have to pay for it.
In Conclusion:
So, if you are in the market for a boat, be sure to do your research on parking if you live near a body of water. It might behoove you to learn the local regulations in this place that accommodates boats. It helps avoid towing or ticketing.
Boat shopping is supposed to be fun, after all! Have you ever had any issues with finding parking for boats? Let us know in the comments below.
