Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

[newby1]

I'm a new boater looking to buy a small center console (15-17 ft). I was curious if anyone new what size and if any at all I could fit into a 19 ft garage. I'm aware I can get a swing tongue trailer to save a few inches. Would really appreciate some advice from someone who has experienced the same situation. Thanks in advance!!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

15 should not be much of a problem, as you said, you can swing the trailer to pick up a small amount of room, you might be pushing it with a 17, take into account how much the motor hangs in the back. Now of course if you get an outboard boat, the motor can be taken off and put on a stand, gaining you a couple of feet.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

About a year ago I was pondering the same thing

I ended up with a 16' Starcraft dual-console rig that fits perfectly in my 20' garage.

I also thought I would need a swing-away tongue(or removable tongue) but I've been ok with it and the garage door even shuts if I get it in right w/ the Merc trimmed all the way down.

 

[newby1]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

Thanks for the replies guys... Yeah, I think the 15ft will more than likely be the way to go, but would really like the extra room of the 17ft. Can't be picky though...I don't want to fork out the $$ to store it at a boatyard or marina. I'm trying to look at it as going small for a first boat and if I enjoy it enough I can go bigger later. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

you can buy some room by putting it in at an angle.
I don't think removing the OB is a very practical solution.

I'd question whether you want to shut down your whole garage just to save a storage fee elsewhere. You are paying for the garage each month you pay the mortgage.
So price out a storage unit, an outdoor yard and a cover, and compare the cost to buy a folding trailer, since you probably won't find a boat on one.

 

[tjb127]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

One trick I use to get my boat to fit is I move the winch up about 2 feet and crank the boat up to it. This puts the outboard betwwen the bunks on the trailer.

 

[convergent]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

I just went though 2'-itis and moved from a 17.5' to 19.5' boat. The garage fit was my biggest concern because the first boat kind of filled the garage going straight in. I was able to get it to fit by cranking the motor to one side and then backing in at an angle. It varies each trip, but often the tongue of the trailer is well under an inch clearance to the garage door. I had originally thought about a swing away tongue, but the trailer has surge brakes so I don't think that is going to work with this trailer. I'd highly encourage you to measure things a couple times to be sure.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

Putting the trailer on an angle, WILL NOT help much, unless you have 12-14- of width to work with.

Try cutting out 2 pieces of paper the shape and proportion of the trailer-boat-motor, and of the garage.

As you move the tongue to one side, the back corner of the boat moves back.

If you have a 2 car garage, and are willing to give up both stalls, it can be done easily.


BTW, why do people have 19' garages? Every tow vehicle out there worth owning isn't gonna fit. Even a Trailblazer is gonna need a shoehorn to get in.

 

[newby1]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

My thoughts exactly Roscoe. I have about 2 inches to spare when I park my F-150 crew in my garage. One or two more feet would have been perfect.

So are most boats able to be winched closer to the front of the trailer for storage??

 

[rwidman]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

One trick I use to get my boat to fit is I move the winch up about 2 feet and crank the boat up to it. This puts the outboard betwwen the bunks on the trailer.

You're not serious!

What does this do to the tongue weight? Or do you move the winch post and boat when you put it in the garage and then somehow move it back before you tow the boat?

 

[rwidman]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

I'm a new boater looking to buy a small center console (15-17 ft). I was curious if anyone new what size and if any at all I could fit into a 19 ft garage. I'm aware I can get a swing tongue trailer to save a few inches. Would really appreciate some advice from someone who has experienced the same situation. Thanks in advance!!

Some trailers are shorter than others and you already know about the swing away tongue, but I suggest taking a tape measure with you when shopping for boats and taking an actual measurement from the back of the motor to the tip of the tongue.

Lots of people who can't or don't want to keep their boats at home are happly with "dry stack" storage. Call ahead and they put your boat in the water for you. And as someone else mentioned, there are places where you can store your boat on the trailer. A 15' boat is pretty small and you need to be on protected water to be safe.

 

[Shrike]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

I'd not buy a 15' boat when I really wanted a 17'.
That 2 extra feet is a lot in a boat.
How about a carport?
Extend part of your garage?
Park it outside?

 

[rwidman]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

I'd not buy a 15' boat when I really wanted a 17'.
That 2 extra feet is a lot in a boat.
How about a carport?
Extend part of your garage?
Park it outside?

I agree. Buying the wrong boat is an expensive mistake and can lead to disapointment and leaving boating.

I'm thinking there's no place on his property to park a boat or there are restrictions against parking the boat in the open or installing a carport.

 

[tjb127]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

You're not serious!

What does this do to the tongue weight? Or do you move the winch post and boat when you put it in the garage and then somehow move it back before you tow the boat?

I don't think it adds alot to the tongue weight. I do have a tandem axle trailer. If you have a single axle you are probably right. My yacht club is only a few miles away so I tow it down there forward on the trailer. I have a Ford F350 Dually and it tows it fine and it's only once a year. If I am going long distance I move it back to its' normal position.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

One trick I use to get my boat to fit is I move the winch up about 2 feet and crank the boat up to it. This puts the outboard betwwen the bunks on the trailer.

Not a good idea. I did that once by accident and over winter the boat developed a hook in the hull. After that I couldn't go above half throttle.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

BTW, why do people have 19' garages? Every tow vehicle out there worth owning isn't gonna fit. Even a Trailblazer is gonna need a shoehorn to get in.

Most small garages are 20', unless its a real old house. Better check the dimensions.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

As a teenager I kept my first boat at my Grandpa's house. The previous owner had a boat and it didn't fit so he modified the back of the garage.

Right in the middle of the stall he cut a hole in the back wall of the garage, removing a couple studs and opening up a couple stud cavities. Didn't need to modify the foundation or roof, just built a "box" on the back and sided it like the rest of the wall. It added at least 3 feet to the garage and was only big enough to fit the back of the boat.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

As a teenager I kept my first boat at my Grandpa's house. The previous owner had a boat and it didn't fit so he modified the back of the garage.

Right in the middle of the stall he cut a hole in the back wall of the garage, removing a couple studs and opening up a couple stud cavities. Didn't need to modify the foundation or roof, just built a "box" on the back and sided it like the rest of the wall. It added at least 3 feet to the garage and was only big enough to fit the back of the boat.

Back in the 90's, a new neighbor moved in next door.
He had several Lincoln Mark V's, none would fit in the garage.
He did as you described to allow the front of the cars to fit. Looked like a long low storage bin from the outside. 7.5L of power !!

 

[rwidman]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

As a teenager I kept my first boat at my Grandpa's house. The previous owner had a boat and it didn't fit so he modified the back of the garage.

Right in the middle of the stall he cut a hole in the back wall of the garage, removing a couple studs and opening up a couple stud cavities. Didn't need to modify the foundation or roof, just built a "box" on the back and sided it like the rest of the wall. It added at least 3 feet to the garage and was only big enough to fit the back of the boat.

That would work for some garages, with others, the boat would be in the living room or kitchen.

If you want to do that, remember, it's probably a load bearing wall and needs a header to carry the weight.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Can I fit a trailered boat into a 19ft garage??

I have a 19ft open bow on a single axel trailer that fills up my 24ft x 24ft garage. The outdrive is back and to the right of the garage as far back with out hitting (comfortably) with the tounge clearing the door track by 6 inches in the front left of the garage. We just have to step over the tounge to get in but at least she is out of the nasty winter and my dads garage down the road has room for the toys (1981 vette and 1929 sedan). I think I'd measure the OAH verses the door clearance as well as the OAL (I know mine is real close). You can always cut out the back of the garage properly and add a little dog house for the outdrive. Good luck.