Winter storage cover

Patrick_L

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Jun 22, 2016
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I have canvas full cockpit hardtop cover i intend to use this winter instead of shrinkwrap. Then I want to put up cloth boat cover over it as secondary layer over blocks of 2x4s for air circulation. Because of that, I wont have enough length to cover my cuddy cabin bow all the way. My question is how safe am i to leave that part uncovered for winter ? It is all fiberglass with one window hatch. This is in IL.
 

Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
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I would not use 2 covers it will trap moisture no matter what you do. Build a support for the storage cockpit cover out of pvc & wood & keep your regular cockpit cover stored for the winter it will last a lot longer that way. That’s what I do with my 20’ bowrider. If you get snow on top of the cuddy just use a big broom to clean it off if you can…
 

Patrick_L

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Jun 22, 2016
Messages
58
I would not use 2 covers it will trap moisture no matter what you do. Build a support for the storage cockpit cover out of pvc & wood & keep your regular cockpit cover stored for the winter it will last a lot longer that way. That’s what I do with my 20’ bowrider. If you get snow on top of the cuddy just use a big broom to clean it off if you can…
Hard top has supports and everything + it snaps every 8”. Only reason why i wanted to do secondary layer is to cover and block out few possible rodent entry points i may have. It is by my stern light pole
 

crazy charlie

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May 22, 2003
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I have canvas full cockpit hardtop cover i intend to use this winter instead of shrinkwrap. Then I want to put up cloth boat cover over it as secondary layer over blocks of 2x4s for air circulation. Because of that, I wont have enough length to cover my cuddy cabin bow all the way. My question is how safe am i to leave that part uncovered for winter ? It is all fiberglass with one window hatch. This is in IL.
I wouldn't leave anything uncovered if you can avoid it.Nothing replaces shrinkwrap and nothing is better.If you are hung up on using your method, I would blue tarp everything after you have done your method.Charlie
 

airshot

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Or...find an inside storage facility, I would never keep a boat outside unless it was a tin rowboat. My boats are nice and well kept, not expensive, but haveing a nice boat that looks good with little effort is important to me at my age. Some things are worth the extra cost.
 

FunInDuhSun

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Apr 25, 2010
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473
Agree with Lou C.- don’t use more than 1 layer. I ruined a good cockpit cover due to the plastic tarp rubbing holes in the fabric below.
I keep this 23 footer under a tarp, it doesn’t cover the bow. I do have a rope support running fore/ aft from the windshield to the stern. 8 years in Pa. and no problems with snow or rain. These silver tarps are good but only last 3 or 4 years before tearing. I usually cut them into smaller pieces and use them to cover small things (lawn equipment and firewood).
 

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crazy charlie

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Agree with Lou C.- don’t use more than 1 layer. I ruined a good cockpit cover due to the plastic tarp rubbing holes in the fabric below.
I keep this 23 footer under a tarp, it doesn’t cover the bow. I do have a rope support running fore/ aft from the windshield to the stern. 8 years in Pa. and no problems with snow or rain. These silver tarps are good but only last 3 or 4 years before tearing. I usually cut them into smaller pieces and use them to cover small things (lawn equipment and firewood).
BiiiiiGG mistake if you leave any part of the boat uncovered.You will be inviting unwanted guests and moisture, rain,snow,leaves etc. The way the boat in the pic is covered is the absolute LAST way I would ever cover my boat.A boat in storage needs to be pitched with bow raised higher than stern for bilge and cockpit drainage.With bow raised ,any rain or snow on the uncovered bow will run under the tarp.NO WAY would I ever cover my boat like that. I shrink-wrap my larger boat which is the absolute non disputed best!!! My Grady White Adventure 20 footer gets covered with a sunbrella cockpit cover and semi custom fitted 600 denier cover which covers the entire boat just under the rubrails.Then I put a brown tarp (upgraded blue tarp) over the entire boat which guarantees waterproofing, proper rain shedding and drainage and any snow will slide off a tarp easily.Doing this for several years now with no issues at all.EXCEPT that a neighborhood cat always seems to find a way to climb in thru the stern(where I leave a little room for ventilation) and take a walk around .Just little paw prints but Im finding a way to close that up too possibly using some screen.Charlie
 

Lou C

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I cover my bow rider from bow to stern with a custom Taylor Made cover & I built a support frame to keep it from caving in. I don’t shrink it because it’s painted in red Imron. This has worked well here in Long Island for 20 winters. With covers it’s always the support system if you get snow. Shrink is easier but make sure to vent it.
 

airshot

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BiiiiiGG mistake if you leave any part of the boat uncovered.You will be inviting unwanted guests and moisture, rain,snow,leaves etc. The way the boat in the pic is covered is the absolute LAST way I would ever cover my boat.A boat in storage needs to be pitched with bow raised higher than stern for bilge and cockpit drainage.With bow raised ,any rain or snow on the uncovered bow will run under the tarp.NO WAY would I ever cover my boat like that. I shrink-wrap my larger boat which is the absolute non disputed best!!! My Grady White Adventure 20 footer gets covered with a sunbrella cockpit cover and semi custom fitted 600 denier cover which covers the entire boat just under the rubrails.Then I put a brown tarp (upgraded blue tarp) over the entire boat which guarantees waterproofing, proper rain shedding and drainage and any snow will slide off a tarp easily.Doing this for several years now with no issues at all.EXCEPT that a neighborhood cat always seems to find a way to climb in thru the stern(where I leave a little room for ventilation) and take a walk around .Just little paw prints but Im finding a way to close that up too possibly using some screen.Charlie
A cat is far better than mice !! Lol... Over the years I have saw numerous folks fiddle with less than perfect boat covers only to end up having more issues when there system fails. Everyone wants to save a couple hundred dollars when covering their 10K boat ??? The best solution next to a pole barn is to build a simple A frame over the boat, use screws so it can be taken apart and put back together. Measure over it to the ground on each side and hit the local " truck tarp" place and have a commercial tarp made. Gonna cost a few hundred but the are made to last for many years. My last one is over 12 years old, no rips, tears, cracking or anything. Other than dirty, good as new. Cover that A frame and stake edges to the ground, fold in the ends and your done. Snow/ ice just runs off, wind won't tear them up. In the long run you will spend less and actually protect your boat with less effort !! Cutting corners only costs you more money in the long run....
 

Lou C

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here's mine
 

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JimS123

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I left my tinny rowboat outside for one year. I had the tarp securely placed over a framework so all was good. Not. I didn't notice it , but after a heavy snowfall the tarp sagged only slightly and the heavy weight broke it. A few days later it rained. The boat filled with water and then froze. The next year I built a second 3 car garage so she has never spent a winter outside again. The good news is that it gave me so much extra room that it allowed me to buy an antique boat as well as enhance my outboard motor collection.

Pardon my stupid opinions, but I would never use shrinkwrap. First off, the outdrive is wrapped full up so you can drive it home. Leave the bellows up all winter....yeah right. Secondly, get a little snow and clog the vents and you got a boat full of mold next spring. Not me, buit I have seen it before.

I grew up with Dad's boat in the backyard. Finally it rotted and was disposed of. Mom said you can't buy another boat until you can garage keep it. (and she was not going to let her car sit in the driveway.) Dad never replaced it.

We have 4 boats and all are garaged. When we decide to get a 30 footer it will be stored on a lift in a boathouse, and NEVER left outdoors.
 

crazy charlie

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A cat is far better than mice !! Lol... Over the years I have saw numerous folks fiddle with less than perfect boat covers only to end up having more issues when there system fails. Everyone wants to save a couple hundred dollars when covering their 10K boat ???
Well said!!! And right on the money!! Charlie
 

crazy charlie

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Quote
"Pardon my stupid opinions, but I would never use shrinkwrap. First off, the outdrive is wrapped full up so you can drive it home. Leave the bellows up all winter....yeah right. Secondly, get a little snow and clog the vents and you got a boat full of mold next spring. Not me, buit I have seen it before."End quote
Yes that surely is a stupid opinion....your words not mine.I am just agreeing with you.BTW pretty much everything you stated about shrink-wrapping is incorrect.Charlie
 

JimS123

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{BTW pretty much everything you stated about shrink-wrapping is incorrect. Charlie}

I guess you never saw a shrinkwrapped boat filled with mold when first opened in the spring.

I guess you never saw an outdrive pointing up when the shrinkwrap tore and the prop filled with water, then froze, and cracked the lower unit.
 

FunInDuhSun

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Apr 25, 2010
Messages
473
BiiiiiGG mistake if you leave any part of the boat uncovered.You will be inviting unwanted guests and moisture, rain,snow,leaves etc. The way the boat in the pic is covered is the absolute LAST way I would ever cover my boat.A boat in storage needs to be pitched with bow raised higher than stern for bilge and cockpit drainage.With bow raised ,any rain or snow on the uncovered bow will run under the tarp.NO WAY would I ever cover my boat like that. I shrink-wrap my larger boat which is the absolute non disputed best!!! My Grady White Adventure 20 footer gets covered with a sunbrella cockpit cover and semi custom fitted 600 denier cover which covers the entire boat just under the rubrails.Then I put a brown tarp (upgraded blue tarp) over the entire boat which guarantees waterproofing, proper rain shedding and drainage and any snow will slide off a tarp easily.Doing this for several years now with no issues at all.EXCEPT that a neighborhood cat always seems to find a way to climb in thru the stern(where I leave a little room for ventilation) and take a walk around .Just little paw prints but Im finding a way to close that up too possibly using some screen.Charlie
Charlie- I respect your knowledge here and you are entitled to your opinion. Like you, I’m a long- time boater (40+ years).
Please note that the previous picture shows my 23’ boat hooked to a truck preparing to be moved, NOT in a storage position. When stored, it is always sitting bow high with the tires raised off the ground. As far as the bow being exposed beyond the tarp, I’ve never had any ‘critters’ crawl under there to damage anything.
As far as big boats, shrink wrap is great but my 34’ has custom- fitted Sunbrella covers that work fine year- round. At this point the covers are 16 years old and even survived that huge 28” Maryland snowstorm from a few years back.
 

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crazy charlie

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{BTW pretty much everything you stated about shrink-wrapping is incorrect. Charlie}

I guess you never saw a shrinkwrapped boat filled with mold when first opened in the spring.

I guess you never saw an outdrive pointing up when the shrinkwrap tore and the prop filled with water, then froze, and cracked the lower unit.
No never on either.I have heard the here-say but no never seen or heard 1st hand.I have never got a rodent in my KFC but its a here-say that everyone has heard .I belong to several boat clubs and reside around at least 10 marinas with probably over a thousand boats and I dont know of a single case of what you describe.I have had my boats shrink-wrapped for close to 30 years and never an issue that you describe.Now any dope that puts his boat away wet or with od raised deserves what comes from that ignorance.But again NO I dont know of a single actual case.Charlie
Charlie- I respect your knowledge here and you are entitled to your opinion. Like you, I’m a long- time boater (40+ years).
Please note that the previous picture shows my 23’ boat hooked to a truck preparing to be moved, NOT in a storage position. When stored, it is always sitting bow high with the tires raised off the ground. As far as the bow being exposed beyond the tarp, I’ve never had any ‘critters’ crawl under there to damage anything.
As far as big boats, shrink wrap is great but my 34’ has custom- fitted Sunbrella covers that work fine year- round. At this point the covers are 16 years old and even survived that huge 28” Maryland snowstorm from a few years back.
No critters???? You are one lucky dude!!! God bless ya!!! I am 110% in favor of covering absolutely EVERYTHING.Why leave anything exposed if you can easily cover it??????WHY??? It baffles me every time someone takes a shortcut and IMHO thats all it is.Cant beat Sunbrella, its the best!! when I replace a Bimini or mooring cover ,the old covers get a second life as patio furniture covers in my yard.Sunbrella is awesome!!! Charlie
 

JimS123

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have never got a rodent in my KFC but its a here-say that everyone has heard .
I personally had a cockroach embedded in an ice cube in a glass of ice tea, though. The waitress stuck her fingers in the glass and retrieved the single cube, saying "you're OK now". I left the restaurant. (no, not KFC, but you're close)
Now any dope that puts his boat away wet or with od raised deserves what comes from that ignorance.
In my area shrinkwrapper guys don't make house calls for boats on trailers. If you must wrap, the OD must be up so you can take the boat home. My neighbor had an icicle drop and put a hole just above the prop. He didn't see it until Spring, when he noticed the puddle of oil underneath it.
No critters???? You are one lucky dude!!! God bless ya!!! I am 110% in favor of covering absolutely EVERYTHING.Why leave anything exposed if you can easily cover it??????WHY??? It baffles me every time someone takes a shortcut and IMHO thats all it is.Cant beat Sunbrella, its the best!! when I replace a Bimini or mooring cover ,the old covers get a second life as patio furniture covers in my yard.Sunbrella is awesome!!! Charlie
Another neighbor stored his boat on a trailer in an indoor boat storage facility. Heated and climate controlled. The bow and cockpit sunbrella covers were firmly snapped in place. No evidence of where the entry point was, but come Spring half of the upholstery was ruined and much of the wiring. The mouse nest was in the bilge.

A coworker had his cruiser shrinkwrapped at a marina. During a windstorm a branch blew and put a small hole in the top. Snow, rain, etc and the previously dry bilge ended up quite wet. Boy you wouldn't believe the mold!!

Anywhoot, no hearsay from me, just personal observations. I guess the longer you look, the more you see. Maybe the moral of the story is that no matter how you winterize a boat, you need to keep a close eye on it.
 
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