Your boat may be 18 feet long. Your boat and trailer probably aren't.
That difference can decide whether winter storage is straightforward or a frustrating exercise in backing a trailer toward a door it cannot clear.
For boat owners in Charlevoix, Boyne City, East Jordan and around Lake Charlevoix, finding the right indoor storage space starts with three measurements: the complete trailer length, the widest point and the height of the boat as it will actually be stored. Then you need to know the door opening and whether there's room to maneuver.
Charlevoix Mini Storage accepts boats and trailers in suitable units. We offer conventional drive-up storage and a limited number of larger premium spaces. You arrange your own transportation and winterization; we provide the storage space and 24/7 tenant access.
Below, we'll compare actual unit sizes, published monthly rates and door widths, explain what to check before booking, and help you avoid paying for space your boat can't use.
Have your boat-and-trailer measurements ready? See current unit pricing and availability, or contact our office to discuss fit before reserving.
Yes. Boats and trailers are welcome where a suitable unit is available and the boat meets the property's access, dimensions and storage requirements. That includes considering the trailer tongue, outboard or sterndrive, windshield, folded or raised bimini top and the actual doorway clearance.
Our US-31 South and Old Norwood Road facilities offer traditional drive-up units. The right choice depends on your particular boat and trailer. We do not recommend reserving a unit for a boat until you've confirmed the measurements and approach.
We offer self-storage space, not marina haul-out, launch, shrink-wrapping or engine winterization services. Arrange those separately before move-in.
A boat described as a "16-footer" can occupy considerably more than 16 feet once it is on its trailer. A bow stop and winch project forward, the trailer tongue extends farther, and the motor or drive may extend behind the transom.
Before choosing a unit, record these three dimensions:
Then compare those measurements with the clear door opening, not just the advertised 10-foot unit width. Leave practical room to maneuver, open the door and access the trailer. Do not rely on exact-fit arithmetic.
These are starting points for planning, not guaranteed boat-fit recommendations. Trailer geometry and actual door clearance matter as much as floor area.
A 10 x 20 offers about 200 square feet. It may work for certain compact boats, small fishing-boat trailers or personal watercraft on trailers, provided the complete setup fits with usable clearance. At US-31 South, the advertised monthly price is $169. The listed roll-up door is approximately 9 feet wide; verify its clear height and the available approach before booking.
A 10 x 30 offers about 300 square feet and can be a more practical starting point for longer trailer combinations. The listed monthly rate is $209. On November 10, 2026, the US-31 South listing showed a waiting list, while Old Norwood Road listed this size. Old Norwood's published drive-up doors are approximately 8 feet wide, so a wider trailer may not fit even if the length does.
US-31 South lists a 10 x 40 at $249 per month, but it was on a waiting list when reviewed November 10, 2026. Longer floor space does not solve a width, height or turning-clearance problem, so measurements are still essential.
Our Stover Road facility has premium 18 x 32 climate-controlled spaces with approximately 12-foot roll-up doors and 15-foot ceilings. The published rate is $450 per month, but these spaces are very limited and currently waitlisted. Ask the office whether a particular boat is appropriate for this type of unit before planning around it.
Rates and availability were reviewed November 10, 2026. Check the live rental listings for current inventory and pricing. Door dimensions should be verified for your specific unit.
Charlevoix boat owners have different needs. A marina may offer haul-out, winterization, mechanical service, heated buildings and spring commissioning. A self-storage unit offers a space for an owner who can transport, prepare and store an eligible boat themselves.
That distinction matters when comparing prices. A monthly self-storage rental is not directly equivalent to a seasonal marine-service package with labor, handling and maintenance. For a trailerable boat you can tow and winterize yourself, renting an appropriately sized unit may be a practical alternative. For a large vessel needing professional lifting, servicing or launch arrangements, a marina is likely the better fit.
For a trailerable boat that fits, drive-up self-storage may offer a convenient local option with access to your rented unit around your schedule. Charlevoix Mini Storage customers have 24/7 access, separate from office hours. That does not mean marine service, vehicle handling or launch assistance is provided.
Indoor storage does not automatically mean heated storage. Northern Michigan temperatures can fall well below freezing, and water trapped in engines, cooling passages, plumbing or other systems can cause costly damage.
Follow your engine and boat manufacturer's instructions or hire a qualified marine technician. Depending on the boat, preparation may include engine and fuel-system service, draining or protecting water systems, checking batteries, cleaning the bilge, drying compartments and protecting the hull and upholstery.
Do not assume that a roof over the boat replaces winterization. Also confirm facility requirements for onboard fuel, batteries and other potentially hazardous materials before moving in. Portable fuel containers, propane cylinders and prohibited flammable or hazardous materials should not be brought into the unit.
The trailer is part of the storage setup, not merely a way to deliver the boat. Before parking for the season:
Do not count on being able to push a heavy boat trailer sideways once it is inside a narrow unit. Think through how you will back it in and pull it out before committing.
Clean and dry the boat before storage. Remove food, trash and anything likely to attract pests. Let upholstery, carpet, lockers and the bilge dry thoroughly. Use an appropriate cover that does not trap moisture against the boat, and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for ventilation.
Remove valuable or temperature-sensitive electronics where appropriate, and follow the battery manufacturer's instructions. Check your boat insurance policy for coverage during storage; don't assume a general tenant-protection plan covers a boat or trailer.
If you're also removing life jackets, dock lines, cushions and tackle, our boat gear storage checklist covers how to clean, dry and organize those accessories for winter.
US-31 South: a good place to start when comparing conventional drive-up unit sizes, with published 9-foot-wide roll-up doors on many larger units. View US-31 South units.
Old Norwood Road: another drive-up option, including 10 x 30 units, but the published drive-up door width is approximately 8 feet. View Old Norwood Road units.
Stover Road: premium oversized climate-controlled storage with taller doors, subject to suitability and very limited availability. View Stover Road.
Our locations and directions page helps you compare all four facilities. If you are unsure, send the office your complete boat-and-trailer dimensions before reserving.
Yes. Boats and trailers are allowed in suitable storage units, subject to dimensions, access, availability and facility requirements. Contact our office with your measurements before booking.
Not necessarily. The boat's advertised length generally excludes some or all of the trailer tongue and other projections. Measure the complete combination. A longer unit may be necessary.
US-31 South publishes approximately 9-foot-wide roll-up doors for many larger drive-up units; Old Norwood Road publishes approximately 8-foot-wide drive-up doors. Verify the specific unit's clear opening, height and approach before renting.
Do not assume so. Standard drive-up units are not advertised as heated. Proper winterization remains important wherever freezing conditions are possible.
At Charlevoix Mini Storage, advertised monthly self-storage rates reviewed November 10, 2026 include $169 for a 10 x 20, $209 for a 10 x 30 and $249 for a 10 x 40 at US-31 South, subject to availability. These are unit rental rates, not marine-service packages. Confirm that your boat fits before reserving.
Tenants have 24/7 access to their rented units. Actual movement of a boat or trailer still depends on safe conditions, access clearance and facility rules.
Yes. An available unit can be reserved online with a $30 deposit, which holds it for up to 14 days and is credited to the first rental invoice if move-in is completed within that period. The deposit is non-refundable if move-in is not completed within the reservation period. Confirm boat suitability first.
Boat storage should start with a tape measure, not a guess. Measure the complete boat and trailer, check the door opening and turning space, arrange proper winterization, and choose a unit that leaves room to get in and out safely.
Charlevoix Mini Storage offers suitable boat-storage options at our local facilities, with drive-up access, 24/7 tenant access and help from a Charlevoix-based rental office. We can help you compare available spaces without promising that every boat fits every unit.
Check live storage availability and reserve online, or contact our local office with your boat and trailer dimensions. Call (231) 547-5838.
Last reviewed: November 10, 2026. Prices, availability, dimensions and facility requirements may change. This article is general storage guidance; follow manufacturer instructions and obtain qualified marine service where needed.
