What’s protecting your boat right now - a tarp, a carport, or just wishful thinking?
In a country like New Zealand, where salt air, sudden downpours and harsh UV are part of everyday life, storing your boat properly isn’t a luxury; it’s essential. Yet too many boat owners leave their investment exposed, thinking they’ll sort it out “one day”. The result? Faded paint, corrosion, and value lost faster than expected.
If you're serious about protecting your boat, extending its lifespan, and making life easier, a purpose-built shed is the answer. But not just any shed. A shed that suits your boat, fits your space, and stands up to New Zealand’s unique conditions. Let’s break down what makes a boat shed truly work, starting with the sizes that match the most common trailer boats in NZ.
Quick Links:
- Most Common NZ Trailer Boats & the Shed Sizes They Need
- Key Features of the Best Boat Sheds
- Materials That Withstand NZ Conditions & Corrosion Zones
- Planning for Future Gear or Boat Upgrades
Most Common NZ Trailer Boats & the Shed Sizes They Need
If you’re wondering what shed size actually works for storing your boat, start with some popular boat sizes around New Zealand.
The Stabicraft 1550 Fisher (LOA ~4.6 m, beam ~2.0 m) is one of NZ’s best-selling trailer boats. Add a single-axle trailer and the full length stretches to around 6m. The 1850 Supercab (LOA ~5.7 m) typically measures close to 7.5m on a trailer, and the larger 2050 or 2250 Ultracab versions can hit 8.5 – 9.0m when fully rigged and trailered, and close to the legal road width of 2.5 m.
But here's the catch: it’s not just about fitting the boat. You may need extra space for access, gear, and, in many cases, backing the boat in without unhooking your ute.
Shed Size Recommendations
|
Shed Depth |
Suits Boats (Trailered) |
Vehicle Hook-Up? |
Walk-Around Space |
|
|
9 m |
Up to 6 m boats (e.g. 1550) |
✖ Not ideal |
Limited (front/rear only) |
|
|
12 m |
Up to 7.5 m boats (e.g. 1850) |
✔ With ute detached |
✔ Room to access gear, engine bay |
|
|
15 m |
Up to 9 m boats (e.g. 2250) |
✔ Ute attached |
✔ Full perimeter walkspace |
|
|
18 m |
2 boats or boat + workshop |
✔ Ute + trailer with plenty of room |
✔✔ Dedicated storage and prep zones |
If you’ve got a trailer boat similar to the Stabicraft 1850 or larger, and want to leave it attached to your ute, close the door, and walk around comfortably 15m is your sweet spot. It lets you reverse in, unload, tinker, and shut the shed without feeling cramped. Got a 1550? You could squeeze it into 9m, but you won’t have much room at the front.
It’s always smart to allow a little extra room upfront, as squeezing your boat into a tight space not only risks damage, but it can quickly become frustrating when there’s barely enough space to walk around or access your gear.
Key Features of the Best Boat Sheds
A smart boat shed design protects your investment, reduces maintenance, and makes everyday use easier.
Bird-Proof Rafters
Birds nesting in rafters can create an ongoing mess and serious damage to your boat and other equipment stored inside. Acidic bird droppings damage paint and quickly make your storage space an unhygienic environment. Alpine sheds are birdproof by design. With birdproof rafters and a birdproof roof system, there is nowhere for birds to roost in the roof space. This keeps your equipment clean, tidy and helps your assets hold their value.
Clearspan Layout
Alpine’s clearspan sheds remove the clutter: No obtrusive centre posts, no awkward obstacles to manoeuvre around. You get unobstructed, open space to reverse in, access gear, and walk around safely, even with the ute still attached. This reduces the risk of costly damage to your boat and the shed.
Door Openings
Door size is one of the most important and most overlooked details in a boat shed. You need enough height to clear aerials, rocket launchers, and rod holders. Not allowing enough room here can lead to significant damage, or even a shed that doesn't fit your boat, meaning wasted time, money and effort.
Width is another important factor to consider. A boat and trailer setup close to 2.5m wide going through a 3.5m door leaves just 500mm of clearance on each side. That’s tight, especially when reversing on an angle or in less-than-perfect conditions. A wider opening, around 3.8 to 4.0m, makes the job significantly easier. It gives you room to manoeuvre safely, without worrying about wing mirrors, wheel guards, or clipping the door frame.
Materials That Withstand NZ Conditions & Corrosion Zones
New Zealand’s coastal conditions put shed materials to the ultimate test. Salt-laden air, wind-driven spray, and moisture accelerate corrosion — especially within Zone D (high exposure) and even Zone C (medium) environments, which can extend up to 500 m inland or more depending on wind patterns
See here for more information on the best sheds for coastal environments > https://www.alpinebuildings.co.nz/blog/best-sheds-for-coastal-areas
Coastal-Grade Cladding & Hot-Dip Galvanising
Alpine uses coastal-grade cladding with enhanced protective layers for areas near the coast, harbours, or estuaries. This meets council requirements under Zone D when cladding is visibly exposed, ensuring the panels withstand wind-blown salt for years without corrosion.
Alpine uses 5-10mm thick hot-dip galvanised structural steel rafters. This thicker metallurgical coating offers significantly greater durability than roll-formed steel or electroplating, and is essential in areas that experience salt-laden wind.
Timber with Galvanised Structural Steel Rafters
In Alpine’s design, timber framing is paired with hot-dip galvanised structural rafters. This hybrid approach balances corrosion resistance with the strength required for clearspan layouts, significantly reducing rust risk while maintaining structural integrity.
Why It Matters
Without the right specification, salt can accumulate on surfaces and in joints, leading to serious corrosion issues, even well inland. With Alpine, you’re not just getting the right materials - you’re getting a system that’s designed to last a lifetime, or two. Every Alpine shed comes with a 50-year building consent, giving you confidence that your structure will stand strong against New Zealand’s toughest environments for generations.
For more information on the best sheds for NZ’s weather conditions, click here > Best sheds for NZ conditions
Planning for Future Gear or Boat Upgrades
It’s worth thinking ahead. Most boat owners end up with more gear than they started with, and some upgrade to a bigger boat sooner than planned.
Planning for the future and adding a bit of extra space now makes life easier later. Whether it’s a second trailer, shelves, a bait freezer or just more room to move, having that flexibility means you won’t need to make costly changes down the track.
Built for the Long Haul
A purpose-built shed makes boat ownership simpler. It gives you the space to store and maintain your setup, keeps everything clean and dry, and protects your gear from weather, salt, and corrosive bird droppings.
Alpine sheds are designed for this exact purpose. Our birdproof rafter system keeps the interior clean and your expensive assets protected. Clearspan layouts give you space to move. And every structure is built with materials suited to New Zealand’s coastal conditions. With a 50-year building consent, you get long-term peace of mind from a shed that’s made to last.
Do it once, do it right. Make it Alpine.
Ready to protect your boat properly?
Get in touch with the Alpine team. We’ll help you design a shed that fits your setup now, and whatever comes next.
