Storing a boat in a driveway.

[jahoward1]

Hi everybody.  I've got a question.  I've been keeping my boat in a storage facility most of the year when I'm not using it.  To save money (hopefully to rent a slip next year) I would like to store the boat on one side of my double driveway.  However, due to the incline of the driveway, the bow rest lower that the stern, which causes the boat to fill with water when it rains.  In other driveways like mine, I've seen boats propped up on bricks but that just doesn't look safe to me.  I have a 5 and a 10 year old and wonder if one of them was running and accidentally hit those bricks--what could happen?  And, what about other people's kids?

I've been wondering if anybody has any other ideas, ie: a different and larger jack or something different made specifically for this problem.  I was even thinking about buying a small weighted lawn tractor but I don't know if it could actually pull my boat up the driveway.  And of course I could just continue to pay for storage but I hate to do it since I have the space.  Does anyone have any experience or ideas?  Let me know--Thanks

James H :afro:

[Hardwater]

How steep is the driveway incline - or - what distance does the trailer tongue need to be raised for level storage?

[seabob4]

If you are THAT concerned about bricks, or whatever, build an elevating platform with a depression in the center to accept the jack wheel.  Make your platform out of ply with a 2' X 2' base.  Maybe a truck running into it could knock it over...

[labboss2003]

Cant you just cover it tightly with tarps so as not to get water in it.

[pete]

I set my jack on an old car rim,when full up it is tilted enough to keep the bow higher than the stern and the jack fits snug in the center of the rim

[whittlinden]

Have a nice tight cover made out of acrylic fabric,It may cost as much as a year storage ,but will last many years if cared for.   :)

[jahoward1]

Thanks everybody, I decided to continue to use the storage facility at least for the time being.  Thanks again

James H :afro:

[jahoward1]

***UPDATE: After seeing hundreds of other boats parked in driveways, I decided to store my boat in my driveway instead of the storage facility.  I figured I'd post an update since you guys were nice enough to give your own suggestions.  Here's a pic and thanks again.

James H

[Aswaff400]

one thing you may want to do is check your local home owners association/ code enforcement see if it is ok to keep it there for long periods of time. we have that problem here, we can get a fine if the boat or trailer is in the driveway for too long...

[pete]

don't know if I'm crazy bout that wheel on those flat bricks,if someone leans on the boat or if you are in it working it may roll off,why not use one of those concrete donuts used for sprinklers or a plastic one made for that purpose, to keep the wheels in place  

http://www.cabelas.com/trailer-accessor ... r:keyword={keyword}

[wingtime]

Good idea on the doughnut Pete but I don't think it will work with the dual wheel castor on the jack.  As long as he chocks the front and back of each wheel he should be OK.  BTW I like the Aquasport trailer!  

[alandry100]

I have the same problem - I raise it as you have using cinder blocks - then rest the end of the tongue on a sawhorse.

[jahoward1]

I ordered a donut from Amazon Sunday night for bout $7.  It should be here tomorrow or Wednesday at the most.


James H

[jahoward1]

one thing you may want to do is check your local home owners association/ code enforcement see if it is ok to keep it there for long periods of time. we have that problem here, we can get a fine if the boat or trailer is in the driveway for too long...

I'm a cop in town and actually had to answer a call last summer that involved a someone complaining about their neighbor's boat that was parked in the driveway.  I called our Inspections Dept and they advised that the boat was fine in the driveway as long as the tires aren't on the grass and it was secure.  

However, boats can also be parked on a concrete slab that you must install next to your house, on your driveway side. I actually considered having concrete poured except my neighbor has three huge pine trees that leak sap in the summer and they are too close and would possibly rain sap down onto my boat.  I've already taken down 7 trees on my property and that ain't cheap so I'm not having their trees cut down.  Anyway, it'll work for now especially when I get that donut for the trailer.

James H

[floridamisser52]

turn that boat and trailer end for end...maybe the lawn tracter idea seems like a good idea!