Check out the racking and speak to the front office.... if your boat fits in their system with 3" to spare on either side and the office really doesn't seem to give 2 cents about your questions - that attitude runs down into the yard crew and you will have repairs, scuffs and ripped covers...That said, there are very good forklift crews that can thread the needle and actually want to keep the boat pristine.

Another option to consider, will the marina opt for the same valet service but have the boat remain on the trailer in the bottom hole of the racking?

Well we met the staff yesterday and they were great. 3 of the 5 lift drivers have been there 15plus years. Gave me a pretty comfy feeling about it. They let me walk around and talk around. Felt comfortable enough to take the plunge and sign a contract. They tell me it’s a heated building in the winter and keep it at 50degrees. They tell me I don’t have to winterize the boat which to me is a whole new gamble. But they said they can do a basic winterization on each motor as a failsafe and if it makes me feel better about doing it. After loosing two seasons due to one motor freezing because of a shop didn’t winterize it correctly I think I’ll spend the money and know that I’ll be safe no matter what. But what are others thoughts? Is everyone in the same thought as me or have people trusted their heated facility. Hoping to bring the boat down there this week and get it in the water for the first time in two years!!!

I don't rack store any more, but I did heated storage for years. The monitored and kept the building at 55 degrees. We were allowed winter access to work on our boats. This is a big deal for me. If you plan on working on your boat during winter hours, I would find out what the open hours are and how close they pack the boats in. I do want to be able to maneuver around my boat with a ladder. Also, if you plan having others work on your boat find out what their requirements are. Some rack storage facilities want you to hire them to work on your boat.

There are zero negatives to rack storage. It's the simplest and best option for any boater in my opinion . I always took care if the fork lift operator and the dock guys . Never had a bad experience.

The cost of winterizing vs a replacement engine is $$$ well spent... and you are well aware of the downtime. All it takes is a prolonged power outage and the temps drop quick...

If something goes wrong, its on them....good to hear you have confidence in the crew at your location. Boating is supposed to be an enjoyable expereince - not a gamble.

This is all the same thoughts I had. I’d rather spend 500 on knowing I’ll be safe then another disaster I’ve already gone thru. Plus think the wife would kill me if there was something extra I could’ve done to prevent catastrophic failure lol.