Black Winter Cover?

[Delphis]

I'll be making my own winter cover this year for our 26' Pearson. I was wondering if anyone has ever used the color black for a winter cover.

I was told by someone in the business that they like it because it can heat up and melt away snow. However, I plan on designing my in such a way that snow won't be able to build up on top of it.

I haven't decided on the material, but maybe some type of vinyl coated polyester or Top Gun.

Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks.

 

[Tim R.]

Many places online sell a UV rated silver/black tarp. These are excellent and you can usually get a good 5-6 years out of them if treated nicely. Black not only helps to melt snow but it also warms up the inside which creates air flow to help keep the boat dry if properly ventilated. It is also nice if you want to do any work in the winter.

First hand experience. I used one on my Ericson before I bought a Fairclough.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I'm more skeptical and would like to hear from someone who actually used one rather than go on supposition.
Snow should not collect on a properly fitted and installed cover, regardless of color. If you can't avoid it, the snow load can crush any frame or cave in a cover, regardless of how well you try to secure it. It should never have to carry a snow load but rather done so as to ensure snow will slide off.

In addition, the black can get extremely hot, even in winter. In addition to that inherent problem, once the sun goes down, the temp range can be extreme making for other problems.

As I said, this is all supposition on my part which is why I'd ask for some real experience before using black.

 

[Delphis]

Hi. So it sounds like its a good idea after all. I didn't consider the airflow aspect. You wouldn't happen to recall a particular place that sells the tarp you mentioned? Thanks.

 

[Delphis]

Hi Don, I just missed your post as I was entering my first reply. I guess I was thinking that Tim actually uses a black cover but we'll just have to see if he's able to come back to this thread.

There really is a lot to consider. For the most part, our boat is right out in the open and exposed to the sun. It's also in a fairly windy location. I'm not quite sure how this factors into the equation.

 

[Maine Sail]

My cover is white...

My covers these days are always white and the color does not play a role in snow shedding.

The material and the design are the two biggest contributors to snow shedding.


This particular cover has a lower than ideal pitch, I've seen some made by the same folks with a much higher pitch, and when we get freezing rain that then turns to snow things like to stick to the canvas. Nothing beats cotton duck though for breathability!!

I've never used a black cover but have used a dark green one and as Don said it did lead to other issues namely more condensation due to large temp swings. It was also quite dark under there to work on things.

I flipped it over mid winter to the silver side and my condensation issues got better but my neighbors were not to happy. It was still quite dark...

 

[Tim R.]

I never had a problem with condensation but I also had a good overhang bow and stern that allowed plenty of air in. I can tell you that the boat was a joy to work on in the winter on a sunny day even when it was below freezing. It was easily 50-60 degrees.

My custom cover does collect snow on occasion and I have to periodically knock it off from the inside. I have extra supports to help with the snow load if it does pile up. Some pros and cons of custom covers:

Cons:
High initial cost
Snow loading

Pros:
Soft sided protection for the topsides
Breathable
Easy to assemble
Access door for entry
Better perforation protection
1" galvanized frame is better protection from falling objects(distributes load)
Green

You will still get condensation on any non breathable cover unless it is properly vented regardless of color.

 

[Maine Sail]

I never had a problem with condensation but I also had a good overhang bow and stern that allowed plenty of air in. I can tell you that the boat was a joy to work on in the winter on a sunny day even when it was below freezing. It was easily 50-60 degrees.

My custom cover does collect snow on occasion and I have to periodically knock it off from the inside. I have extra supports to help with the snow load if it does pile up. Some pros and cons of custom covers:

Cons:
High initial cost
Snow loading

Pros:
Soft sided protection for the topsides
Breathable
Easy to assemble
Access door for entry
Better perforation protection
1" galvanized frame is better protection from falling objects(distributes load)
Green

You will still get condensation on any non breathable cover unless it is properly vented regardless of color.

You forgot that you can use the same cover for ten or twelve+ years and that clearly outweighs the higher initial cost. After about the third year of ownership a custom cover becomes free!! I pay about $750.00 for that shrink wrap job but it's more costly to stop it at the toe rail. With a custom cover, in a non-windy location, you can safely cover the Awl-Grip with no ill effects but you should never cover Awl-Grip with a plastic shrink fit cover..

When constructing your cover just remember:

#1 Pitch

#2 Cross ties at stanchions (prevents snow load from breaking or bending stanchions inward)

#3 Breathability and ventilation

#4 Perimeter board - prevents cover from resting on stanchions and poking through or loading/stressing the lifelines.

Cross ties:

P.S. I know I spelled perimeter wrong but I suck at MS Paint and spelling was the furthest thing from my mind.

 

[Delphis]

Wow. Great images, and thanks for the input. It's great just being able to look and understand what is being said. I've been going back and forth on the color issue, as well as cover design, for some time now.

I think one of the most important things for me to consider is the ventilation issue. I've always had this idea of keeping the deck bone dry because water can fill "cracks" on the deck and expand. But I don't think that's a practical way to look at designing a good cover, unless I can get great amounts of airflow in there.

 

[Bob S]

Custom Covers

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'd like to purchase a custom cover for the long haul.


bob

 

[Spooky]

Custom winter cover

Hello Bob:

Last year I purchased a winter cover for my Catalina 310 from Genco Marine in Toronto, ONtario, Canada. It was a breath of fresh air to deal with the company.

Naturally, I had concerns about whether or not the cover would fit and I had time constraints. Finally the owner himself told me that he would cut the material the next day, and ship it in time for me to install prior to leaving for work for 28 days.

As promised the cover came. It fit like a glove and he can provide the frame. I am 100% certain they will have the pattern for the the Catalina 30.

It is a dark blue material that breathes (I believe it is used quite a lot for snowmobile covers). It gets very warm in the sun and is quite pleasant to work under during the day.

I was so happy with the cover,... I ordered a dodger from them. Same story.

I did have lots of condensation. But then, I had lots of condensation the first year I left her uncovered too. It's a problem we face here on the coast of Nova Scotia.

I am considering installing a rail mounted nicco solar fan with a hose run into the bilge to help exchange the air. Hopefully that will help.

Cheers

Chris

 

[Delphis]

Re: Custom Covers

Hi. I would be sure to go with a custom, as opposed to a semi-custom, cover. The later is still pricey and the fit generally isn't as good.

I'm sure you're already aware of it but a custom cover requires that the canvas maker has access to your boat. This limits the amount of referrals you can get from people because they can only suggest people in your area. Most canvas makers seem to charge for their time on the road.

 

[Maine Sail]

Fairclough

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'd like to purchase a custom cover for the long haul.


bob

Fairclough Covers are about the best made!

Fairclough Sailmakers (LINK)

 

[Tim R.]

Re: Fairclough

I second Fairclough. Call them. They(the Faircloughs) answer the phone and will work directly with you. Unfortunately this is not a great time to buy based on price. I ordered mine in the spring and they delivered in the fall. I saved quite a bit this way.

 

[Bob S]

Thank you

Thank you for the leads. I plan to buy a winter cover as soon as possible. I didn't cover her last winter which was a big mistake. Terrible mildew problem.

 

[BobM]

Glad to see postive reviews for Fairclough

My friend has a full fairclough cover for his Freedom 28, which he bought about three years ago. He loves it and has had zero complaints.

My 30 foot boat came with a Fairclough boom tent purchased last year for about $1500. As I recall, my friends full cover was over $2000 when he bought it.

I agree that it is well worth buying one versus shrink wrapping. For a thirty footer in our area I'd expect to pay about $500/year. Plus I was quite happy to pay a little more for my boat with the included cover, as I knew I'd have a nice cover and no recurring shrink wrapping expense. I also didn't have to fork out cash for it as it was rolled into the loan.

I ended up forking out plenty of cash on other things though, never fear.

 

[Allan R]

Re: Glad to see postive reviews for Fairclough

I also am glad to see positive info on Fairclough as I have one ordered from them that I hope will be arriving any day now.

 

[Bob S]

Fairclough Sailmakers Inc.

I have a few questions but first I must appolagise to Delphis for hijacking his thread. I hope you got your question answered, seems like dark canvas is not the way to go.

I just got a quote from Fairclough.
1). Do they need to see the boat or can they build one from the model, length and year of boat?
2) they quoted green Sunforger® canvas. Is this a good material? I am jumping the gun here because I don't know the shade of green but do you think green would be ok for New England winters?

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

1). Do they need to see the boat or can they build one from the model, length and year of boat?
2) they quoted green Sunforger® canvas. Is this a good material? I am jumping the gun here because I don't know the shade of green but do you think green would be ok for New England winters?

Ask them the first question - they certainly should given it is a common boat which they presumably have a pattern for but make sure.

That color is the ubiquitous one of choice around here.

 

[Roger (Ninette Manitoba)]

to maine sail... whats with the upside down tub in your pic

I note this with curiosity as I have sometime thought of placing one of these overtop a cowl vent that otherwise has let in snow. Kinda defeats the purpose though. Let us know what function you tub has.