Gravel VS. Concrete

[sportster717]

Going to put the boat in storage soon and found a place that has two options. Gravel storage or concrete storage(both indoors). The price differnce isn't too bad.

Are there pro's and con's to each method?

 

[Dr Honda]

doesn't matter really... but you can't roll a boat by hand on the gravel very easy.

 

[sportster717]

doesn't matter really... but you can't roll a boat by hand on the gravel very easy.

Thanks for the reply. That's what I thought too, but I remember someone telling once that gravel had more moisture content or something.... wasn't sure what he was talking about and he usually drank alot as well.

 

[racerxxx]

Thanks for the reply. That's what I thought too, but I remember someone telling once that gravel had more moisture content or something.... wasn't sure what he was talking about and he usually drank alot as well.

Yep, he wasn't drunk. Park on the dirt or park on concrete. When it rains the dirt has the moisture, park on concrete the water is "blocked" by the concrete. I'd take the concrete.

 

[Guest_User]

Thanks for the reply. That's what I thought too, but I remember someone telling once that gravel had more moisture content or something.... wasn't sure what he was talking about and he usually drank alot as well.

well yes and no, it all depends on how old the stone is and what type, to accurately answer this question...
lets say blue stone right from the quarry, it will have a ton of dust and powder on it which is acidic and will start to cause corrosion as if it were parked at the beach... no lie...lol...

so it all depends on what type. assuming your boat is sitting on the trailer and not blocks/stands...

but concrete FTW! anytime as long as it is not brand spankin new cement!

 

[Dr Honda]

The way I see it... if it's under a roof... it's better than sitting out in the snow. (Unfortunately... that's where my islandia will be)

 

[Coastiejoe]

No matter what I park on I do the following.
Lay a garbage bag out, put a medium sized bag of CHEAP charcoal on it, slice the belly of the bag wide open like a book. It will absorb moisture that is in the air and you toys will stay. Ice and dry.

CHEAP charcoal as if it is coated it wil not absorb the moisture. If you can't fin charcoal that isn't coated then break the charcoal up so the coating does not seal it. There just needs to be a means for natural charcoal to suck in the moisture.

When I had my 27 foot Sea Ray I also put one on about midship as I left my camper top on. Works great.

 

[howie099]

Concrete will help keep extra critters from coming in the area sine they can just burrow in the gravel and here in Illinois and so as it gets cold the animals are a coming. If cost is not that much more whats a few more bucks? All I know it is way easier to move the trailer on concrete than gravel for sure. I store mine in my heated Pole Building at my house. What do they hit you for storage in a covered bulding since we live in the same area?

 

[sportster717]

I wasn't worried about moving it on gravel since i was just planning on getting it in storage and leaving it until spring(set it and forget it...ha). Anyway, I believe the price was $325 gravel and $375 concrete, both indoor. The rate is for OCT thru April. Seems pretty reasonable to me. After everyone's comments, I'm going to go with concrete.

I did have a question for coastiejoe regarding the charcoal. Did your boat smell when you took it out of storage? I can see how charcoal would absorb moisture but charcoal has such a distinct smell.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Nope,,
It works great. For my skis, I just put a bag on the ground (on top of a garbage bag) and open it up.
The cheaper the better. Its all about the moisture being able to get into the charcoal. I would go as far as to suggest that it absorbs the odors as well.