How do you cover your boat for the winter?

[macojoe]

I go thur a tarp every 3 or 4 years, been doing it like this for 15 years!!

I run a 2X4 from the bow to the stern, (takes 3 bolted toghter) I stand them on end for extra strength!

Cover with tarp and tie tight as you can with out pulling the grommets out!

Most tarps give out cause they are left to lose and allowed to flap in the wind. And sharp points!

I cover any sharp corners like the windshield with pipe insulation

Always dry all the time. If you make it tight and a good angle, the snow will slide right off and no problems!

[nightfighter]

Found this doing a search....

Cost to shrinkwrap my boat went up a buck a foot, to 15/ft. $300.00 for my twenty foot Grady. Looked at Boatcoversdirect.com and for my specific model it was $370 for a custom cover with a 5 year warranty. Seemed like a no brainer. We'll see when it arrives Thursday. (No shipping if you order over the phone.

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Found this doing a search....

Cost to shrinkwrap my boat went up a buck a foot, to 15/ft. $300.00 for my twenty foot Grady. Looked at Boatcoversdirect.com and for my specific model it was $370 for a custom cover with a 5 year warranty. Seemed like a no brainer. We'll see when it arrives Thursday. (No shipping if you order over the phone.

I did the custom cover from here and has only gone through a single winter but no problems with the snow etc. The snow slides right off and with any sun the heat builds up under the cover to melt the remainder. This is a breathable cover so no moisture buildup inside however in a pounding downpour water will penetrate as with any water-resistant synthetic. I can easily put on/off by myself. My cover has a zipper on either side so as to permit easy access into the boat whenever I want.

I also attached a couple small solar panels (one to each battery) to keep batteries charged throughout winter (I don't remove from boat nor did I disconnect).

[nightfighter]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

I would still build a pvc frame under it. I have a custom cover that came with boat but if I just put it on it would get full of snow in low spots and rip sure than sh((*^&*t. With snow I need the extra support. Mine is a walk around though.

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

I did the custom cover from here and has only gone through a single winter but no problems with the snow etc. The snow slides right off and with any sun the heat builds up under the cover to melt the remainder. This is a breathable cover so no moisture buildup inside however in a pounding downpour water will penetrate as with any water-resistant synthetic. I can easily put on/off by myself. My cover has a zipper on either side so as to permit easy access into the boat whenever I want.

I also attached a couple small solar panels (one to each battery) to keep batteries charged throughout winter (I don't remove from boat nor did I disconnect).

Paul, I saved the 1X3 ridge pole and supports from last year to support the new cover. Hopefully the most I would have to do is shorten the supports to fit the cover.

Buzz, did you get your cover from the same outfit I mentioned? Which material did you opt for? I like the solar panel idea. Where did you get them?

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Buzz, did you get your cover from the same outfit I mentioned? Which material did you opt for? I like the solar panel idea. Where did you get them?

Yes same outfit, went with the 8 oz. Performance Poly-Guard.

Solar panels:
Northern Industrial Solar-Powered Battery Maintainer — 1.8 Watt | Amorphous Solar Panels | Northern Tool + Equipment

You can search and find other place but this is about the lowest pricing $20/ea (less shipping)

[smac]

Is it possible to shrink wrap a center console with a T-top?

Last winter I used a large , heavy duty dumpster tarp the was held to the ground with cinder blocks. Easy enough to get inside and play around.

[nightfighter]

Originally Posted by smac

Is it possible to shrink wrap a center console with a T-top?

Last winter I used a large , heavy duty dumpster tarp the was held to the ground with cinder blocks. Easy enough to get inside and play around.

Yep. Done around here all the time. They offer a door with a zipper for around 50 bucks so you can get into it during the winter.

[RIJIMMY]

yup, MTC has done mine the last 2 years with no problems!

[TheSpecialist]

After topping off the fuel I cover mine with Maple leaves till the spring

[Mr. Sandman]

Done it every way. The best? No question the best is a boat house with a concrete floor. Drive in, unhook block and close the door, turn on the light, and work on your boat indoors all winter! I know two guys that had them built on their property for their boats and it is friggin awesome. All your stuff is in there. One guys has heat, a small fridge and TV along with his workbench and tools. The other picked up a steel building on the cheap and had a concrete floor poured, has the yard deliver the boat into his house... a I could hang in there all winter.

But for covers....I think the best is to get a buddy that has a shrink wrap machine and you help him. You can do it for close to cost. (about $100 or so)
Also, if you do it right, you make the shrink wrap in such a way that you can untie it and you can re-use for several years (the most I have ever got out of it was 3 years, the least 1 year.. because of birds pecking it due to something that was on it) He built a belt like band into the base and you just loosen the belt and lift the cover off. It works great and if the plastic is not badly damaged it will last for several years.
This breaks down to $30-$100/year...not bad.

The entire frame and tarp thing is a PITA and takes the better part of a day and you spend a lot of time adjusting it all winter. My dad did this on a big fly bridge boat and it was a waste of an entire weekend each winter. I hated helping him cover the boat. (he always picked a freezing cold and windy day to do it)

This year I don't plan to do anything...close the door and that is it. I may tape the pilot house with shrink wrap tape to seal out any blowing snow. I may chicken out and have it wrapped but I as of now I am planning on letting it take the ice and snow.

I do like shrink wrap for most boats. It is pretty weather tight and allows air to circulate and there is a little greenhouse effect too.

[Van]

Originally Posted by macojoe

I go thur a tarp every 3 or 4 years, been doing it like this for 15 years!!

I run a 2X4 from the bow to the stern, (takes 3 bolted toghter) I stand them on end for extra strength!

Cover with tarp and tie tight as you can with out pulling the grommets out!

Most tarps give out cause they are left to lose and allowed to flap in the wind. And sharp points!

I cover any sharp corners like the windshield with pipe insulation

Always dry all the time. If you make it tight and a good angle, the snow will slide right off and no problems!

Almost what I do, 2x4 up high from bow to stern with 3 stands out of 2x3 to hold it up like tent poles. Then I just make kinda "ribs" with cheap poly line from side to side and over the 2x4, attached either to the boat railing or cleats or to the trailer. I bought a quality grey/black tarp from McMaster Carr. Going on its 13th season (NO HOLES)...Then lots of bungee cords from tarp to trailer. DONE....Tall tent with a bigger tarp so its steep and the snow never stays.

Add stabilizer first, then FILL the tank. Repeat FILL the tank.

[macojoe]

fish4striper Boat sees the worst weather on the water- saltwater/salt. It's all fiberglass, why cover it?

I jack it up, take off some electronics, everything else in the boat that might mold/corrode, check on it thru the winter, go clean it up in the spring. I don't see the reason to bother covering it.

The snow sitting on the deck and melting underneath that will soften the wood over time, also thye water that gets in areas and freeze's that expans and cracls things you needs to worry about/

Just a big blue tarp for me is fine I get about 3w years out of one.