Boat covers for winter

[Terry]

As the new owners of our first sailboat, we're going through a learning curve when it comes to winterizing. Does anyone know if canvas covers may be purchased for protection from weather? The boats in our marina spend the winter in the boatyard and I wanted to give it some extra protection. Also any tips on winterizing would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Winter Cover

Terry -You could have a cover made for the boat but it would be pretty exepensive. I prefer to have mine shirnk-wrapped and I am careful to make sure that the wrapping is recycled in the spring. Its a lot of waste otherwise. I like to build an arch high enough to work under, and have a zippered door in the shrink wrap so I can work or at least check on the boat in the winter.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Warren]

Winter Cover

One of the best winter covers is the "Blue Tarp", available at any hardware or discount store. It's major advantages are; its cheap and it works better than just about any other type of cover. When a boat is stored, it is best to allow air to flow through it. The shrink wrap type cover has two major disadvantages...Its expensive and its closes the boat up too much (little air flow). The blue trap can be reused for many seasons. Build a "tent" with the mast across the top of the cabin as a ridge pole, support the mast at the rear with a 2x4 to the floor of the cockpit at the stern. The mast is supported at the bow by the pulpit.c I run line back and forth over the mast to act as support for the "tent" over the cockpit.Purchase the tarp long enought to cover the entire lenght of the boat also so it drapes atleast half way down the topsides.I have used this method for 29 years with no problems.Good Luck!Warren

 

[Mike]

Gotta cover that boat

Like Justin, I have the yard shrink wrap my boat. They do a good job building a makeshift frame from 2x4s. The blue tarp is also a good alternative, but just make sure that you have it supported adequately over the stanchions. Here in CT, snow and rain tend to pool on top of the tarp anywhere they can, especially between stanchions. This puts a lot of stress on them. Just make sure that the tarp or shrink wrap or whatever is taut enough that it will shed water or snow. This is why you see many boats with custom pipe or wood frames that arch over the stanchions entirely, so that the winter cover never touches them. I specifically ask the yard to leave the cover open over the transom and in front at the pulpit. Some rain and snow blows in over the deck, but the increase in ventilation is well worth it.

 

[Dee]

Pros and Cons

There are pros and cons to all types.First think about how long you will keep the boat. If more than 4 years, that would be about a break-even point for shrink-wrap vs. custom canvas cover.Shrink wrap can be vented for better air circulation, but after 4 years, you would have nothing. But, then again, you wouldn't have to store anything during boating season. A custom cover would add to a boat's resale value. You still have to build a support frame. If you go with the custom cover, there are various weights. Canvas is really heavy. There are lighter similar materials, so shop around. Ask other boat owners in the yard what they think of their covers. Usually the name of the manufacturer is printed somewhere on the side.