5 REMINDERS FOR FALL DRY BOAT STORAGE AND HAUL OUT

5 Reminders for Fall Dry Boat Storage and Haul Out

As the summer season winds down, fall marks one of the most critical times of year for marina operations: preparing for dry boat storage and haul out. This seasonal transition is your chance to secure late-year revenue, organize your storage logistics, and deliver a smooth offboarding experience to your customers.

Whether you’re running a large facility with multiple lifts or managing a tighter yard with limited space, these five essential reminders will help you stay ahead of the curve and position your marina for an efficient, profitable fall.

Why Fall Planning Matters More Than Ever

The importance of fall planning has grown in recent years. Extended boating seasons, more transient boaters, and unpredictable weather patterns have made haul out logistics increasingly complex. Many marinas now face compressed haul out windows due to warmer Septembers followed by sudden October cold snaps. That means any delay—equipment failure, overbooked lifts, or unclear customer communication—can ripple into lost revenue and customer dissatisfaction.

Dry boat storage capacity is also under pressure. As more boat owners seek year-round service plans, slip-to-storage transitions have become a competitive differentiator. Getting ahead of the schedule and offering professional, convenient options can build lasting customer loyalty.

1. Begin Haul Out Scheduling Early and Set Clear Expectations

Start Communication Before the Rush

Every fall, demand for haul outs spikes—fast. If you wait until boats start lining up, you’ve already lost valuable time. Instead, launch your haul out scheduling campaign in late August or early September with clear messaging about timelines and procedures.

Use:

Email reminders with clickable booking links
Invoices that include scheduling deadlines
Social media and bulletin board announcements

Encourage pre-scheduling with incentives, like priority service, bundled storage discounts, or preferred placement in the yard.

Communicate Staff and Equipment Limits

Be transparent with customers about limitations. Share lift schedules, staff availability, and haul out window constraints due to weather. The more your customers understand, the more likely they are to cooperate—and the smoother your fall will run.

2. Evaluate and Optimize Dry Boat Storage Space

Take Stock of Your Yard Early

Before the first boat hits the ramp, walk your storage areas and assess:

What needs to be cleared or regraded
Where gravel or drainage repairs are necessary
If there are any standing obstructions or debris

This is also a good time to make minor layout adjustments. Even a few extra feet of access room can prevent major backups when equipment is in motion.

Update Equipment and Maps

Inspect all trailers, straps, blocking materials, and lifts. Address any repairs now—parts delays in the fall can mean weeks of downtime. If your yard has grown or changed, update your internal layout maps and distribute them to your team. Consider color-coding zones or assigning sections to specific staff members to avoid overlap.

A well-organized yard translates directly into faster service, safer operations, and more satisfied customers.

3. Help Customers Prepare Their Boats the Right Way

Provide a Pre-Haul Checklist

Much of the haul out delay and frustration you face each year comes from boats that aren’t ready. Avoid this by giving every customer a simple, clear checklist of what’s required before they can be scheduled.

Items to include:

Remove food, drinks, valuables, and personal gear
Turn off battery switches or disconnect batteries
Pump out waste tanks and ensure fuel levels meet marina requirements
Secure all sails, canvas, and covers
Label any special instructions (keys, trailer info, service requests)

Remind customers to thoroughly clean and empty freezers, refrigerators, coolers, and live wells. Any moisture or perishables left behind can lead to mold, mildew, or pest issues.

Promote Add-On Services

Haul out season is the perfect time to generate additional income. Offer:

Pressure washing
Engine winterization
Shrink wrapping
Canvas removal and storage
Fuel stabilizer treatments

Bundling these services increases fall revenue while helping customers feel more prepared for winter. Promote them as convenient and professionally managed—not just another task to add to their list.

Upholstery, Pest Control, and Off-Season Prep Tips

Boaters often overlook smaller tasks that can have a big impact come spring. Recommend that customers take a few extra steps when preparing for dry boat storage:

Remove cushions or store them vertically to prevent moisture buildup and flattening
Clean and dry all upholstered furniture, and cover with breathable materials if left aboard
Seal snack storage areas and remove food wrappers to prevent rodent activity
Close vents and seal openings or plug drain holes to reduce pest entry
Recommend placing pest deterrents or dryer sheets to discourage nesting

These small steps prevent unpleasant surprises when boats are unwrapped in the spring.

4. Build Flexibility Into Your Fall Schedule

Account for Weather and No-Shows

Autumn weather is unpredictable. High winds, unexpected rain, or early cold snaps can throw your schedule off course. Avoid stress by building buffer days into your calendar—days reserved for weather rescheduling or late requests.

You should also factor in a percentage of no-shows or delayed customers. When customers know you’ve already planned for some wiggle room, they’re more likely to stay patient and cooperative.

Offer Emergency Haul Out Options

Consider creating a “last-minute list” for customers who don’t schedule in time. You could offer premium weekend haul outs, early morning appointments, or outsource overflow to a trusted nearby facility. Charge a premium fee to offset the labor strain and make sure these emergency slots don’t interrupt your base schedule.

Even if a customer ends up paying more, they’ll appreciate having the option rather than hearing “sorry, we’re full.”

5. Connect Fall Storage with Winter Work Orders

Turn Storage Into Service

Don’t let the haul out be the last time you hear from your customers this year. Instead, turn dry boat storage into the first step of a longer service engagement. If a customer’s boat is already on the hard, it’s the perfect time to offer upgrades, inspections, or preventative maintenance.

Examples:

Oil changes and fluid replacements
Bottom painting or blister repair
Canvas or upholstery refurbishment
Propeller and shaft inspections
Navigation electronics upgrades

Encourage customers to bundle and pre-authorize these services as part of their fall paperwork. This streamlines your internal scheduling and keeps your service department busy through the off-season.

Recommend a Full Boat Inspection

Remind customers that fall is the best time to inspect for damage, not spring. This gives them a chance to address cracks, leaks, bent hardware, or damaged rails while the boat is out and service providers are available.

Also suggest that they remove or disconnect any hull-mounted accessories such as transducers or through-hull sensors. Once removed, plug or cap those openings to prevent water intrusion or pest entry during the winter.

Offer Spring Launch Perks

You can also position winter work as the key to a faster, hassle-free spring. Promote:

Priority spring launch for boats with completed service
Reserved slips for early payers
Launch prep discounts for customers who commit before winter

These incentives improve retention and keep customers engaged long after their boats are out of the water.

Take Photos for Insurance Documentation

Advise customers to take clear photos of their vessel from multiple angles after haul out is complete. This simple step can be extremely helpful in the event of storm damage, snow collapse, or vandalism during storage. Photos of hull condition, transom, deck, and cabin can support insurance claims and provide peace of mind throughout the off-season.

Fall doesn’t have to be a scramble. With proactive scheduling, clear communication, and strategic planning, your marina’s haul out season can run like a well-oiled machine. More importantly, it can generate real value—both financially and operationally.

Dry boat storage isn’t just about lifting boats out of the water. It’s a key touchpoint in the annual customer journey. By treating it as an opportunity to serve, upsell, and connect, you transform a hectic season into a high-performance finish.

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About MariCorp

Maricorp is one of the largest floating boat dock manufacturing and construction companies in the United States, specializing in galvanized steel floating docks and boat lift systems. With projects spanning coast-to-coast, Maricorp provides marina consultation and design, marine construction, marina repair and renovation, and boat dock disaster response and demolition.

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