Leaving the bimini and dodger on for the Winter?

[IH82BL8]

I'm considering leaving the bimini, dodger and filler panel that joins them in place for the Winter. This would keep snow from filling the cockpit. The obvious trade-off would be a) the weight of a significant snowfall could put a lot of strain on the canvas seams b) the conditions of being stored in my garage are a lot milder than being exposed to Winter weather. Can anyone offer some insight based on personal experience?

Thanks.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Unless it's a full enclosure, I find it hard to imagine how a bimini/dodger will keep (blowing) snow out. Regardless, that seems a poor substitute for a full cover as the cockpit is only one area which should be protected from freezing water.
Given that would create a pocket in which blowing snow could actually collect, your plan might make a bad problem worse.

 

[Justin_NSA]

I agree with Don. It will slow down falling, blowing snow just enough to deposit it in the cockpot. Ever see snow drifts on the leeward side of a stationary object?
Then there is the added wear and tear on the fabric which shortens the lifespan.

 

[shemandr]

UV, wind, snow, ice and rain are good reasons to give your canvas a rest for the winter.

 

[seadaddler]

Don't forget winter is good time to treat your canvas
with 303 fabric guard.

 

[Tally Ho]

Not sure about your weather in MD, but in the Chicago area, we get strong winds and sometimes lot of snow. I made a cover the first year I owned my O'Day 322. It was UGLY, and a pain in the @ss to install....took 2 days of cutting wood for the frame and to secure the tarp at the toe rail. It did however keep the snow and ice out of the cockpit and off the decks.

For this winter layup, I bought a new custom-mad cover for her from The Canvas Store. Saw them at Strictly Sail Chicago last winter. The new cover comes in 3 sections, and was custom made for my boat. The new cover went on easily, and I was done in a couple,of hours.


I never covered my Hunter 280 in the 5 years I owned her (and always took off the dodger). I always felt that the snow and ice and freeze and thaw cycles were not good for her, so made the investment in the winter cover for the O'Day 322.

I do see some boats in my marina with the Dodgers and bimini's in place over the winter, but I cannot imagine that the extra UV exposure, strong winds and potentially heavy snow loads would be good for the canvas, eisenglass, and frames.

Greg

 

[IH82BL8]

Thanks everyone. The dodger is in storage right now. I'll be at the boat tomorrow (all day ) I'll remove the bimini for the Winter too.

 

[Capt jgw]

I left my Bimini up one winter. Boat was backed up against one of the storage buildings, and after a storm a pile of snow slid off the roof crushing the Bimini frame. Expensive mistake.

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi]

I leave mine on with full enclosure here in Kentucky and Tennessee. We don't get extreme snow here but I have had as much as 2 feet of snow on top according to my canvas maker. He has used it as a promotional shot. The interior of the enclosure warms quickly with sunshine and I think that helps protect the cockpit. My system is 15 years old Sunbrella, but it is the heavy duty sunbrella sewed with Goretex thread and made my Mark Sundman of Creative Canvas in Grand Rivers, KY. Mark is a premier canvas maker.