Garage Specs

[Nautique Fan]

After working at the Nautique dealer while I was in high school, 20 years later I finally bought our first boat. With 6 kids from 3 to 11 we bought a 2007 SANTE 236. It's as good as I had hoped for and does everything great. We couldn't be more happy with it.

I live in Utah and the winter's are brutal and there is no way I'm leaving the boat out in the elements. I have indoor storage arranged for this winter but in the spring I am planning on building a garage at my house to keep it in. We have a good size lot but with 6 colleges to pay for, I'd like to build the right size garage the first time. My hope is to get the boat and the truck in the new garage.

The 2007 tower is fairly heavy, so I'm planning on having a 12 foot door to allow me to store the boat with the tower up. However, I also don't want to regret not having a 14 foot door if in the future we upgrade to a newer boat. If the building code only allows me a 12 foot door, and I going to be hosed when I upgrade?

So, what size door and how wide should I build the garage?

Thanks.

[markj]

I went through this myself. My shop door has a finished 10'-4" height and a 10' width. That worked great for a 2005 SAN. Only problem is I never thought boats would ever get as big and tall as they have. I's say a 12 foot height is pretty future proof. If you're having separate single doors, I'd shoot for a 12' width. Sure wish I did... I've never heard anyone complain that they have too much room in their shop.

[Nautique Fan]

Thanks markj. I plan on putting on a single double-wide door to help me get the boat in easier.

[GCSuper]

The newer towers are much easier to lower

[ski4evr]

The newer towers are definitely a one handed operation with the spring assist. Would the cost to upgrade boats be cheaper than the cost to upsize everything for your garage?

Definitely wish I had built a taller garage, or had the cash for a newer boat. Tower lifting is definitely a workout.