Secure outdoor boat and trailer storage yard

Local boat owners with no room at home, such as apartment owners, people in streets with parking rules, and owners who only boat in some seasons.

Monthly or yearly fee per boat, priced by length or bay size. Extras can include battery charging, wash-down access or trailer storage on its own.

• Organising bookings and bays
• Customer service
• Basic site upkeep and security

• Council planning and zoning approval for storage use, check before leasing or buying
• Public liability and property insurance, and whether you need cover for customers' boats in your care
• Storage agreements that clearly limit your liability and cover unpaid fees
• Stormwater, drainage and fuel or oil spill rules, check with your council and state environment agency
• Register for GST once turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are typically around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on the land, fencing, gating and security you need. Treat this as an estimate. Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many bays you fill.

Check council planning and zoning approval for storage use before leasing or buying. Also check stormwater, drainage and fuel or oil spill rules with your council and state environment agency, your insurance needs, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold.

Estimates suggest at least around 4 hours a week, which makes it a light-touch business. The work involves organising bookings and bays, customer service, and basic site upkeep and security. Storage agreements should clearly limit your liability and cover unpaid fees.