Recomendation on tarps

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Just this past fall I bought 2 new poly tarps 24x28. The blue ones that you find at Lowes. I use them to cover my boat over for the winter like many of us do.<br /><br />Today it warmed up to dang near 60*. I get home and wash my van and bucket truck to get the salt off. The wind was blowing and I thought I heard my tarp blowing around a little more than normal. I finally gone in the house to sit down to a nice cup of hot coffee. I then look out my dinning room window and see the side of my boat instead of the tarp.<br /><br />I went out and the blankity blank tarps seam came unglued! Wind still blowing, tarp trying to move me around while trying to pull the seam back together again. Those plastic tie wraps are great. I used them to fasten it back together again.<br /><br />I just hate it when a product fails. So that is why I'm asking what is the best brand of tarp should a guy get when he wants a quality product?

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

I have not been able to find a good quality tarp for several years. Every one I have purchased the past few years, no matter where I get them, do what your did or just plain rip down the middle. <br /><br />Only thing I found the helped was about 50' of clothesline chord. Lash it across the tarp over and over until it is netted down secure.

 

[Link]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

BTDT<br />Bought one of those portable garges for the boat.<br />Inside city limits we are not allowed to use "blue tarps" so when the thing fell apart we replaced it with a large silver one from Northern tool. 25 X 40 if I remember right. About 5 months ago. So far it has stood up to continious rain for over two months straight and rain almost every other day and wind up to 60 mph. But it was spendy. Cost $100.00 + shipping<br /><br /> http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatDsp?storeId=6970&N=224712 <br /><br />Luck to ya

 

[one more cast]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

The silver ones last longer.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

Originally posted by deputydawg:<br /><br />Only thing I found the helped was about 50' of clothesline chord. Lash it across the tarp over and over until it is netted down secure. <br />****************************************<br />I have that now. I took about 150' of clothsline and lashed them so the snow would slide off. Was working great until today. The winds were not as bad as we had. I've seen them wear in spots and tear, but never actually saw the seam fail.<br /><br />Several years ago I made a frame to cover my bridge out of 1/2" thinwall conduit. It sits on the rail brackets that go around my bridge. I had the blue tarp material stretched over it. That lasted 2 winters. I think this fall when they are doing shrink wrappin, I'll have them do my frame. It can be seen over in the chat room site that Spinner has.<br /><br />I plan to make 2 more frames to cover the bow and the back deck. How long does or will shrink wrap last?

 

[OBJ]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

Yep...the guys are right SS....those blue tarps ain't worth the 10 to $20 bucks you blow on them. The silver ones hold up a little better like OMC said. The blue ones are good for short term use but not a whole winter.....or summer....or fall.....or spring......maybe a day or two.......

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

I like plain old 6 mil plastic. Clear or black, $10 for 10x25 and $20 for 20x20. Nothing to come unglued. I use some heavy duty plastic bags I have filled with dirt to hold them down over my boat.

 

[tommays]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

Here Home Depot sells a 10 mil brown tarp that really holds up well.<br /><br />After a year its just starts to leak a bit but is still strong and it gots very good welded gromets that dont pull out.<br /><br />tommays

 

[scrapper]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

I went down to the local TSC store , They sell alot of farm supply s , They have tarps /Green tarps and black tarps that have a white back on them for impelments very durable , Used same tarp for two years now not expenseve either , Check your local farm supply store.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

Or go the a company that makes the heavy duty tarps that they use on flatbed semi trailers.<br /><br />Be prepared to spend lots of money.<br />But it will last a life time.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

Originally posted by One More Cast:<br /> The silver ones last longer.

Ditto!

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Recomendation on tarps

This is what I use.<br /><br />I buy (by the roll)(but you can get cut lengths...and it is not expensive....and it lasts and lasts).<br /><br />1. Black plastic. Never use less than 200um, and make sure it is UV stabalised.<br /><br />2. White (as picture below....it has 40% shade block) or Clear plastic. <br />It is the stuff they use on big Grow-tunnels (tunnel houses - make sure you get this stuff)).<br /><br />3. You can buy shade cloth that is waterproof, and it comes in about 6 colours, or 4 different striped colours.<br /><br />Most come in 1.8m, 3.6m standard rolls.<br />You can buy wider.<br />You go to your yellow pages and look for a Wholesaler who supplies the Nursery Industry.<br /><br />You then buy "Butterfly Clamps" from them for around 50c ea (I buy them 150 at a time).<br /><br />In photo 1 it shows these clamps from 4 different angles.<br /><br />You apply them as in photo 2. <br />Make sure you put your cord through before you do them up. <br />Clamp them together with pliers. <br />I use this orange cord. It lasts for years. <br />The plastic in the photo is around 6 yrs old.<br />For a boat cover, put your clamps close together. That takes out all the "flap" from the wind.<br /><br />The "shade factor" shades out anything the cover is over.So take that in to account, pluss the cosmetics when it is parked in your driveway.<br /><br />I always fold the edge of the plastic back and up (see photo) as it gives more grip and lasts longer.<br /><br /><br />

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<br /><br />Think I have covered everything.<br />Let me know if I havn't.<br />Cheers<br />Phillip