Out of the weather all winter
Indoor and heated boat storage
Indoor space keeps snow, ice and UV off the boat and usually saves the shrink-wrap. It is also the first space to sell out each year. Send your boat size early and we look for a building that fits it.
- Cold storage
- Heated storage
- Rack or floor
- Trailer or cradle
Kinds of indoor storage
Cold storage building
An unheated steel or pole building. Inside temperature follows the outside, so the boat still needs full winterizing. Main gain: no snow load, no UV, no wrap.
Heated storage
Kept above freezing, usually around 5 to 10°C. Gentler on wood, upholstery and electronics, and lets technicians work on the boat in February.
Indoor rack storage
Boats up to about 30 ft lifted onto steel racks by forklift. Dense, so often cheaper per foot than floor space. Common in Muskoka and Quebec.
Barn or private building
Farm buildings and private garages that take a few boats. Cheaper, simpler, fewer services. Check access and fire safety.
Heated storage
Heated space costs more, and it is worth it for some boats: classic wooden boats that crack when they dry out and freeze, yachts with electronics and interior finishes, and boats getting winter work like gelcoat, upholstery or engine repowers.
Heated storage does not replace winterizing in most yards. The building can lose power. Ask whether the yard wants the engine and water systems winterized anyway.
Indoor storage prices
| Item | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Indoor winter storage (cold) | from $55/ft per winter |
| Heated indoor storage | from $90/ft per winter |
| Haul-out or launch | from $8/ft each way |
| Winterizing, inboard | from $500 |
Starting prices in CAD before tax, from published marina and port rates and market estimates, October 2026. Your boat, the yard and the dates set the final price.
Indoor buildings in cottage country often price per foot of boat on the trailer. Try the calculator.
What to ask an indoor storage building
Door height and width
Measure the boat on the trailer, top of the windshield or arch to the ground. Towers and arches often need folding.
Who moves the boat
Most buildings move boats themselves with a forklift or yard tractor. Ask how they handle your hull type.
Battery charging
Many buildings do not allow chargers left on unattended. Ask what they allow, or take the batteries home.
Fire protection
Ask about sprinklers or alarms and whether fuel tanks must be full or empty.
Order out in spring
Boats at the back come out last. If you need an early launch, ask to be stored near the door.
Indoor storage questions
Do I need to shrink-wrap a boat stored indoors?
Usually no. A breathable cover keeps dust and birds off. Some buildings ask for a cover anyway.
How much more is indoor than outdoor storage?
Outdoor storage starts from $30/ft, cold indoor from $55/ft and heated from $90/ft. Once you add wrap to outdoor storage, the gap narrows.
Can a pontoon go indoors?
Yes, on its trailer, if the building door clears the bimini frame and rails. See pontoon boat storage.
When does indoor space sell out?
Often by late August in Toronto and cottage country. Many owners rebook the same spot each spring.
Tell us about your boat. We find the spot.
Storage type, LOA, region and season. We check what is open near you and reply by email with options and prices.