When the water cools off on the Pawcatuck River and Stonington Harbor, every boat owner on the Connecticut and Rhode Island line faces the same question: where does the boat go until spring? For owners with a trailer, the answer does not have to be a driveway, a side yard, or a seasonal marina package.
WES STOR offers outdoor winter boat storage at 7 Elmata Ave in Pawcatuck, CT, starting at $85 a month. The lot sits just across the river from Westerly, RI, and minutes from Stonington Harbor, the Mystic River, Watch Hill and the Pawcatuck River launches.
When to pull your boat for the winter
Most trailered boats in southeastern Connecticut and southern Rhode Island come out of the water between early October and mid November. The goal is to have the boat out, drained and covered before the first hard freeze. Water left in an engine or a plumbing line expands when it freezes, and that is where the expensive damage happens.
If you are still fishing into November, plan your storage spot now so haul-out day is one trip from the ramp to the lot.
Outdoor boat storage at WES STOR: what you get
- Price: from $85 a month for trailered boats, jet skis and trailers
- Security: a gated, well-lit lot with cameras
- Access: the gate is open to renters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- People on site: the office is staffed Monday through Friday, 9 to 4
- Availability: spots are open year round, not just in winter
- Location: 7 Elmata Ave, Pawcatuck, CT 06379
Storage is outdoors, so a good cover matters. More on that below.
Areas served: boat storage near Westerly, Stonington and Mystic
WES STOR sits on the state line, so it works for boaters on both sides of the Pawcatuck River.
- Westerly, RI: just over the bridge from Pawcatuck. A short tow for boats that run the Pawcatuck River and Little Narragansett Bay.
- Watch Hill and Misquamicut, RI: close to Watch Hill Harbor, Napatree Point and Winnapaug Pond.
- Stonington, CT: minutes from Stonington Harbor and the Barn Island boat launch.
- Mystic and Noank, CT: a quick drive from the Mystic River and Fishers Island Sound.
- Groton and North Stonington, CT: an easy trip for boaters who trailer to the Thames River or the coast.
- Charlestown and Ashaway, RI: a straightforward tow from Ninigret Pond, Quonochontaug Pond and the upper Pawcatuck River.
How it compares to a seasonal marina package
Many marinas price winter storage by the foot for the whole season, often bundled with hauling and other services. That works well for larger boats that cannot be trailered.
If your boat already sits on a trailer, paying by the month for a secure spot is usually the simpler option. You pull in, lock up, and pull out in spring. You can also get to the boat any time over the winter to check the cover, grab gear, or get a head start on spring projects.
Winter boat storage prep checklist
- Run fuel stabilizer through the engine and top off the tank to limit condensation.
- Flush and drain the engine, then protect it with marine antifreeze as your owner’s manual directs.
- Change the oil and gear lube so old, contaminated fluid does not sit all winter.
- Drain every water system: livewells, washdowns, bilge, and any freshwater lines.
- Pull the drain plug and store the boat with the bow slightly raised so rain and snowmelt run out.
- Disconnect the battery, or take it home and keep it on a maintainer.
- Take home electronics, cushions and valuables.
- Clean and dry the boat inside and out to keep mildew away.
- Cover it tightly with a fitted cover or shrink wrap, supported so snow and water cannot pool.
- Check the trailer: tire pressure, bearings, lights, and a lock on the coupler.
Jet ski storage and boat trailer storage
The same lot holds jet skis, personal watercraft, and empty boat or utility trailers, also from $85 a month. Gear that comes off the boat for the winter, like cushions, electronics and tackle, can go in a storage unit on the same property.
Winter Boat Storage FAQ
Boat storage starts at $85 a month.
Yes. WES STOR is in Pawcatuck, CT, directly across the Pawcatuck River from Westerly, and stores trailered boats, jet skis and trailers through the winter.
Yes. WES STOR is a short drive from Mystic, Noank and Stonington, with outdoor boat storage from $85 a month.
No. Boats are stored outdoors in a gated, lit lot with cameras. A fitted cover or shrink wrap is recommended.
Yes. Renters have gate access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Yes. Spots are available year round, so the boat can stay between trips in season too.
7 Elmata Ave, Pawcatuck, CT 06379.
Reserve a spot before the first freeze
See the details on the boat storage page, send a message, or call (860) 599-2730. WES STOR has been family-owned in Pawcatuck since 1985.