It's time to compare ingenuity here! After many years of trying numerous framing techniques I'd like to hear from the masses on what works best. The objectives are cost (hey, we're sailors), ease of set-up, and durability through the winter. Do you shrink with stick up or down? I always leave stick up which adds to the complexity to wrapping, but reduces cost since I winter in water (plus you still get that sailboat feel when the wind is howling like a whore at the clinic!) So lets hear what the best framing systems are.... stick built, PVC, EMT, Home Depot plastic fittings for 2x2s, etc....
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Shrink Frame
I shrink wrapped my h34 in New England eight times using several methods. The last time was the easiest. I used a spinnaker pole from the front of the mast and tied it to the forestay with a spare halyard. I had a single wood 2x4 that ran from the mast to a saw horse bracket that ended near the stern. Ran the plastic over the life lines and stopped it a few inches below the toes rail. 20' wide material worked fine. Dry wrapping for fifty bucks since I own my own heat gun so it fit my Hunter budget
I shrink wrapped my h34 in New England eight times using several methods. The last time was the easiest. I used a spinnaker pole from the front of the mast and tied it to the forestay with a spare halyard. I had a single wood 2x4 that ran from the mast to a saw horse bracket that ended near the stern. Ran the plastic over the life lines and stopped it a few inches below the toes rail. 20' wide material worked fine. Dry wrapping for fifty bucks since I own my own heat gun so it fit my Hunter budget
Shrink
I wrap my 34 with the mast down, using the mast as a ridge pole. I also remove the lifelines to give the wrap a steeper slope for shedding the snow. after hearing how my boat was bouncing around on the cradle in a gale (mast up) I have been taking my mast down ever since. another reason for unstepping it is that on my boat, the mast "pumps" enough on a beam wind to shake the whole boat, which I think would cause some fatigue stress in the rig and maybe even in the fiberglass. Have never been able to cure the "pumping" problem. My marina lets us use it's jib hoist for mast removal so not a problem.
I wrap my 34 with the mast down, using the mast as a ridge pole. I also remove the lifelines to give the wrap a steeper slope for shedding the snow. after hearing how my boat was bouncing around on the cradle in a gale (mast up) I have been taking my mast down ever since. another reason for unstepping it is that on my boat, the mast "pumps" enough on a beam wind to shake the whole boat, which I think would cause some fatigue stress in the rig and maybe even in the fiberglass. Have never been able to cure the "pumping" problem. My marina lets us use it's jib hoist for mast removal so not a problem.
Be carefull
One season I covered my life line with a blue tarp. Snow load collasped 3 of my stantions. This was an expensive lesson. Next season I again went Blue but used a razor knife to cut around the stantions and duct taped. No problem. Ian
One season I covered my life line with a blue tarp. Snow load collasped 3 of my stantions. This was an expensive lesson. Next season I again went Blue but used a razor knife to cut around the stantions and duct taped. No problem. Ian
Straps Frame
I have been shrinking my 35.5 for 4 years now, I leave the mast up and make a frame using 3/4" wax belt including an strap from the mast to the bow pulpit, I leave my stanchions on, never had a problem with the pitch on the tent, I use white plastic, blue is hard on my eyes if I have to work inside the boat, I also own my torch and try to get the plastic as tight as possible, the boat is in a craddle an behind a tall building protecting it somewhat from the wind. On a previous boat (23' O'Day) once the pitch was not enough and the snow accumalation broke 3 stanchions right off the deck ...ouch!!!. Gene
I have been shrinking my 35.5 for 4 years now, I leave the mast up and make a frame using 3/4" wax belt including an strap from the mast to the bow pulpit, I leave my stanchions on, never had a problem with the pitch on the tent, I use white plastic, blue is hard on my eyes if I have to work inside the boat, I also own my torch and try to get the plastic as tight as possible, the boat is in a craddle an behind a tall building protecting it somewhat from the wind. On a previous boat (23' O'Day) once the pitch was not enough and the snow accumalation broke 3 stanchions right off the deck ...ouch!!!. Gene
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