How do you cover your boat for the winter?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Offshore24]

I build my covers as tall as possible so they shed snow readily. Three colums supporting a ridgepole, all out of 1x3 strapping. The columns have plywood bases. I use clothesline to hold the ridgepole in place and support the tarp. Put the old tarp on first and a new one over it. Wrap them around the boat. Only thing that's ever gone wrong was when a tree fell on the boat in a spring wind storm. A new tarp is $50 every 3 or 4 years. More clothes line is $10 a roll. Cover costs me less than $20 a year and it basically recyclable. Shrinkwrap is great if you can afford it but a waste of resources IMO.

[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).

[InTheHole]

I reuse my shrink wrap, this will be year #4. Put the same basic frame together each year, start from the front and pull the wrap back to the rear. Tie it together with plastic strapping from 1 side - under the hull to the other side. No issues so far and the boat is a lot cleaner in the spring.

[striperman36]

Shrinkwrap online, I am down to about 4.50 a foot. I don't reuse it.

Interested in PRBuzz's solution as that would fit year round

[PRBuzz]

Originally Posted by striperman36

Interested in PRBuzz's solution as that would fit year round

Although I have not done it, supposedly you can tow while the cover is in place.

Takes about 10min to remove cover and maybe 2-3X that to put on. I have not tried to do in a hurry as the cover has only been on the boat 2X: once for practice and once for the entire winter. The 3rd time is quickly approaching, maybe early Dec.

[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.

[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.

[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?

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by PRBuzz

Although I have not done it, supposedly you can tow while the cover is in place.

Takes about 10min to remove cover and maybe 2-3X that to put on. I have not tried to do in a hurry as the cover has only been on the boat 2X: once for practice and once for the entire winter. The 3rd time is quickly approaching, maybe early Dec.

Not for towing but for sideyard docking

[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!

[striperman36]

I shrinkwrap my own, every year. I am done with tarps

[TheSpecialist]

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

[ProfessorM]

I was going to say the same thing. Mine has been sitting at work filling with oak leaves for the last month. Got to get off my ass and drag it home.

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

I was going to say the same thing. Mine has been sitting at work filling with oak leaves for the last month. Got to get off my ass and drag it home.

If you can wait till Sunday, I go get it with you, I can sit around, but can't do much else at the moment

[ProfessorM]

Thanks Bill but I am waiting to finish my driveway at the front of the street. I widened it and still need more fill and my neighbor who is helping me out with his truck and bucket loader has been busy hauling cranberries. Hopefully he will get it done this upcoming week.

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

Thanks Bill but I am waiting to finish my driveway at the front of the street. I widened it and still need more fill and my neighbor who is helping me out with his truck and bucket loader has been busy hauling cranberries. Hopefully he will get it done this upcoming week.

Offer stands until 11.21. Surgery is on 11.23

[nightfighter]

Got her put away today. Very happy with the fit of the cover I bought from boatcoversdirect.com. $370.00 vs. 300.00 for shrink wrap.

[angler management]

I started with shrink wrap.
Then tried to be a little cheaper and covered with a blue tarp. That worked, just a bit more work on my part. I would go out and clear heavy snow. The light snow would slide off.

Reason not to tie with rope to a frame or any fixed object. It has no give. Bunge or buckets move and save the tarp. BUT I like the idea of a "belt" putting the rope around the boat. (just like shrink wrap) If Air can not get under and move the tarp, it's a non issue.

My latest and best plan ever is a temporary garage. Mine is a "clear Span" but there are lots of manufactures. I can run the boat later and start earlier in the year. Just back it in and I'm done. Middle of winter on a sunny day it will be 60 deg inside. I wax the boat, do repairs. Hide from the wife and kids and suck down a beer dreaming about fishing.
I got one 15 x 28 for about 1,500. Figure 5 or 6 years of shrink wrap would be about the same cost.

[piemma]

Originally Posted by Clammer

Here we go again ><><

I don,t ////////// its in the slip 24/7


& the tin boat is in & out of the garage all winter -being used

...and he ain't lying. I have seen Mike's boat FROZEN in the slip with the engine DOWN. He is a legend in our marina. Even the old crusty quahoggers think Mike is the BALLS!!!

[maddmatt]

throw an ext ladder over the motor to the bow then cover with tarp and hang milk jugs to keep the tarp in place.

15 min and done

[MakoMike]

Just leave it be. Block it so the water drains. It was made to be out in the weather.

[MTC]

$10 per foot to all Striped-bass.com members... still have a few storage spots left... email me for $$

[SweetD]

Here's how my 19ft'er CC wraps up - same tarp for six years now. When we put the garage on the house a couple years ago, I had the little extra space made on the driveway to tuck the boat in...works out great.

Just a 2 x 4 from the bow to the console, and again from console to motor cowling. Zip tied to the bow and console rail. Bungee cords all the way around tied down like a drum head. And one rope thru the grommets all the way around and tied thru the front. No issues, just occasional brush off when we have heavy wet snow...got it down to a science by now...good luck!







Dave