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Storage Facility Ready For Boats, RVs In Gibsonton

Tribune photo by YVETTE C. HAMMETT

Vandy Comtois, seated, is manager of the new StorSafe storage facility on U.S. 41 in Gibsonton. She and employee Bill Bailey are pictured in an expansive area for open and covered boat and RV storage. It is the first StorSafe facility to offer space like this.

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By YVETTE C. HAMMETT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 2, 2008

Updated:

GIBSONTON - Although boating may be the No. 1 recreational activity in this town, finding a place to moor them or store them can be not only difficult but expensive.

The owners of a new storage facility at 12704 U.S. 41 S. say they have found a solution that could work for a variety of people, from small-boat owners and RV aficionados to lawn care businesses and people who just have too much stuff and not enough storage.

StorSafe Apollo recently opened a 20-acre facility that offers self-storage units; open boat and RV storage; covered, hurricane-proof storage; and even climate-controlled garages for boats and RVs up to 60 feet long.

Prices range from $50 per month for a 5-by-5-foot self-storage unit to $1,500 to $1,750 for a fully enclosed 20-by-60-foot climate-controlled storage area.

"We call those the granddaddy units," said manager Vandy Comtois. "They're huge."

Bill Bailey, a charter boat captain who is working during his down time at StorSafe, keeps his boat, a buddy's boat, a personal watercraft and all his fishing gear in one of the large units, with plenty of room to work.

The large units have electrical hookups, alarm systems and air conditioning.

There is also a large, open, paved area outside for boat and RV storage and hurricane-resistant enclosures.

For many, finding a storage unit to hold their largest toys isn't a choice, said Michelle Young, spokeswoman for StorSafe. With so many homeowners associations outlawing open storage, people have no choice but to find an alternative.

"This is the first time we've done boat and RV storage, but we feel like it's the perfect location," not far from either Sarasota or Brandon, Young said. "And people have 24/7 access, an RV dump station and an onsite wash-down station for their boats."

StorSafe also offers 24-hour video surveillance on the entire property, Comtois said.

She said she is marketing the new storage facility to nearby communities, including MiraBay and Panther Trace, off U.S. 301. The company is also offering a 20 percent discount to military personnel.

GET TO KNOW

WHAT: StorSafe Self Storage

MANAGER: Vandy Comtois

WHERE: 12704 U.S. 41 S., Gibsonton

HOURS: 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

INFORMATION: (813) 341-7867 or storsafeapollo@storsafeselfstorage.com

Reporter Yvette C. Hammett can be reached at (813) 865-1566 or yhammett@tampatrib.com.

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