Car Storage

[EpicAdventure]

We now own a boat in Maryland.

We will be driving out from Minnesota soon.

What to do with the car as we head out for an extended cruise?

Options:

1. Sell it
2. Drive it back to MN where there might be some storage options -- big pain, long drive, flight back, etc.
3. Store somewhere out the the bay area.

Anyone know of any low cost options?

[gulfcoastcruiser]

Have you considered trying a storage lot or storage unit?

Or better yet find a friend close by with room in their driveway or garage.

[Spinsheet08]

make sure you disconnect your battery, or get a solar panel that plugs in 12volt. They can be found cheap.

[bljones]

Need more info.
How long is an "extended cruise"?
Do you plan to return to the same port you departed from?
Is the car worth the cost of storing it? ie: Does it make sense to pay $75-150 a month to store a $1500 15 year old Honda Accord, for example?

If you and your boat plan to return to the same area you departed from, and if the car is wroth the cost of storage, the best and easiest option is to just store the car in u-store-it type unit. They are secure, insured and no one gets into your unit as long as you keep paying the bills. Make sure you "winterize" your car just like you would your boat before putting it away- disconnect the battery, stabilize the fuel, put mothballs in the interior and the trunk, etc.

[rockDAWG]

Find a friendly sailnetter and store the car in his place .

If you need to store for a few months, you can park it in my warehouse. If for a few years, you are better off to sell it. The warehouse is 1.5 hr drive from Annapolis, thus it is NOT for weekly parking use.

[EpicAdventure]

It's hardly worth paying much for storage. It is a 2000 Subaru Outback with ~120000 mile. It might be easiest to just sell.

The plan is to undertake a ~1 yr cruise. However, I anticipate we will return back to our starting spot next spring and I suspect it might be nice to have a car then (or maybe not)?

[Undine]

Another consideration - driver's license and auto insurance for rentals. The state may suspend your license if you cancel your auto ins. Not having auto ins. can cause problems for car rentals and for the use of marina loaners. And it may be difficult to maintain ins. if you no longer own a vehicle. State laws vary so you need to check with the state of your license.

If the storage options "back home" are better you can always leave the car there and rent a car to drive to the boat.

[remetau]

I've never heard of a state suspending a license for no insurance. You can't get a license plate or sticker without insurance. Most rental car companies allow you to buy an insurance rider with the rental.

I say if you can get along without a car, then why pay the extra expense of keeping one?

[rockDAWG]

Originally Posted by Undine

The state may suspend your license if you cancel your auto ins.

This can't be true. You can't cancel your auto insurance without return your plate to DMV, but these is nothing to do with your driving license.

Originally Posted by EpicAdventure

It might be easiest to just sell.

Only you can make that decision. Either way, it is minor and insignificant when compared to your boat purchase.

[nightowle]

1. you now have a very nice offer for warehouse storage

2. you can always lower your insurance coverage to 'garage - non drive' status. This way you stay active with insurance coverage so when you do use the car you won't have had a lapse in coverage ( a costly thing when you restart insurance coverage).

3. you can check out Craigslist for garages, carports and driveways that are available in the area for rent.

4. Sell it in Maryland. A reasonable listing price will sell the car quickly.

Good luck and happy cruising!