What we learned the hard way is that the HOA is controlled by the developer until 85% of the homes are occupied then the homeowners take over. The original developer went belly up with only 18 houses built and occupied. (Small development only 55 lots on two streets). Mega builder buys remaining lots, changes covenants in HOA to suit his needs, takes out clause about providing storage area for RV and boats, but leaves in restriction on parking in one's own yard.
I only had the original developers word to park the boat in my yard, but it is behind a brick fence and you can only see if from one angle through the gate. But somebody got their bowels in an uproar and I get the notice. Only been sitting there 7 years and nobody said anything. Up until the Mega builder started building a house every two weeks we pretty much knew everyone in the neighborhood and I gave lots of them fish over the years so this came from the new crowd moving in or the on site rep. for the developer.
And it won't fit in my garage, but I am not going to put my boat in my garage and park my car outside so that is not an option. Car cost about 5 times what the boat did, it is just a stick steer Duracraft, but it is carpeted so I keep a cover on it.