Winter cover *over* cockpit cover?

[P-factor]

21' cuddy I/O. Trailer-stored outdoors in Maryland. I have a cockpit cover already installed, in good condition. Looking to get a fabric winter cover, would it be bad to put the full winter cover overtop of the cockpit cover? Double covers would limit the airflow through the boat, plus I wouldn't want moisture collecting between layers right? Or am I overthinking this.

 

[jigngrub]

Do as much as you can to prevent water intrusion, and I don't think a second cover will hurt a thing... as a matter of fact I think it cut down on the "wear and tear" on your mooring/cockpit cover (less UV exposure). Doing whatever you can to prevent water intrusion and UV exposure will keep your boat looking newer longer and reduce the chances of boat cancer (rot).

Pull the bilge plug and raise the bow too while you're at it if you haven't already.

 

[bruceb58]

I would take the cockpit cover off. You need the boat to breathe or you will get mold.

 

[2kvert]

I always keep both covers on mine while it's stored this year has been wet but so far so good I have a vent that's not covered in the side and the plug is out

 

[Starcraft5834]

what grub said.... Two is better than one,, moisture is getting in no matter what u do ( if outdoors) subject to temp changes,, condensation happens! as to mildrew,. spray and wipe in spring...... I have a full snap cover, over windshield extending out on my cuddy bow/deck another waterproof tarp, and yet another one to wrap the hole thing like a hostage... put a tube or something on the bow/deck for snow to slide off........

 

[bruceb58]

I make boat covers. My advice is to ask a canvas shop what they advise and follow that.

The cockpit cover is not really doing anything for you with the main cover on the boat other than trapping moisture. I have a cockpit cover and a main boat cover. Both are made out of Sunbrella and the cockpit cover is never on when the main cover is on.

 

[P-factor]

So three votes FOR and one vote (who makes covers) AGAINST. I call that a draw. Need a larger sample! Lol.

 

[dingbat]

Unless you buy an expense canvas cover, save your money and buy a heavy tarp instead. The nice, trailer-able Sunbrella cover I bought for my first boat lasted maybe a year. Tree mold gets into the seams and starts eating it from within. It died a horrible death at the hands of 12" of heavy wet snow with a glaze of ice on top. (Crusty snow, a MD. specialty) Literately ripped apart at the seams...and this was with a center pole and support straps installed.

Since then, I put the cockpit cover on and cover it with a heavy, 14 x 14 weave, 12 mil tarp held in place with bungy cords. Lived thru the back to back 30" snow falls we had a few years back. Moved to a house with a equipment shed the next year now it's get a cheap blue tarp on top to keep the dust out.