$500.00 each fall. Seems like a lot of money, but is it worth it? My boat will be protected with a blanket of ice and snow so is this shrink wrap really necessary? or Will the ice do more damage like cause cracking of the gelcoat etc? comments...
Shrinkwrap...Is it worth it?
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Could cost more
to fix damage caused by constant freezing and thawing. I have seen first hand the damage that can be caused by the ice in a lose fitting. It may be important to shrink-wrap a boat that is already in need of repair. Just a thought. Paul
to fix damage caused by constant freezing and thawing. I have seen first hand the damage that can be caused by the ice in a lose fitting. It may be important to shrink-wrap a boat that is already in need of repair. Just a thought. Paul
Shrinkwrap
My surveyor told me that shrink wrapping is not the best thing for a sailboat. The tight seal promotes a green house effect. So damp areas of the boat do not really dry out because the water does not evaporate out of the boat. Leaving the boat uncovered is not the best ideal as well-if you want to own it for a long time. Water gets into cracked areas/seals and as it freezes expands and cracks those areas more. So what to do? Fairclaugh.com is a Conn. based sail/canvas maker who was recommended by my local area sail maker. The idea is a canvas cover for the boat-it is an investment compared to the $500 a pop each winter, but it should last over 10yrs if taken care of, (Fairclaugh) includes a tubular frame. Canvas also waterproof, unlike plastic breathes so evaporation can take place. In addition if you are Environment Friendly-it's a better solution for our Earth-what does the boat yard do with the plastic in the Spring? Dump it…It's a great money maker for boat yards
My surveyor told me that shrink wrapping is not the best thing for a sailboat. The tight seal promotes a green house effect. So damp areas of the boat do not really dry out because the water does not evaporate out of the boat. Leaving the boat uncovered is not the best ideal as well-if you want to own it for a long time. Water gets into cracked areas/seals and as it freezes expands and cracks those areas more. So what to do? Fairclaugh.com is a Conn. based sail/canvas maker who was recommended by my local area sail maker. The idea is a canvas cover for the boat-it is an investment compared to the $500 a pop each winter, but it should last over 10yrs if taken care of, (Fairclaugh) includes a tubular frame. Canvas also waterproof, unlike plastic breathes so evaporation can take place. In addition if you are Environment Friendly-it's a better solution for our Earth-what does the boat yard do with the plastic in the Spring? Dump it…It's a great money maker for boat yards
Permanent cover
Ray, at $500 a season there is a guy in Niagara Falls that can make a great cover winter cover for your boat. I made mine out of PVC and a $40 tarp from Farm & Tractor, this will be the 3rd and possibly final season for it. Next year I'll have rick make me a total cover for the boat. Give me your E mail address I'll send you some pics of my cover( their to big for here) and of the one I'll get next year
Ray, at $500 a season there is a guy in Niagara Falls that can make a great cover winter cover for your boat. I made mine out of PVC and a $40 tarp from Farm & Tractor, this will be the 3rd and possibly final season for it. Next year I'll have rick make me a total cover for the boat. Give me your E mail address I'll send you some pics of my cover( their to big for here) and of the one I'll get next year
Invest in a winter cover
It is well worth it if you intend on "keeping" your boat for any length of time. We invested in one a few years back (about $1500), but we are on our 3rd year, so it has now paid for itself. Our canvas man stores it for us (at a VERY nominal amount) during the warm months, as we are condo dwellers without a lot of storage. No matter --- It's a good investment both for now and in the future.
It is well worth it if you intend on "keeping" your boat for any length of time. We invested in one a few years back (about $1500), but we are on our 3rd year, so it has now paid for itself. Our canvas man stores it for us (at a VERY nominal amount) during the warm months, as we are condo dwellers without a lot of storage. No matter --- It's a good investment both for now and in the future.
Shrinkwrap Rules
Buy a heat gun and do it yourself. Tarps tear in the wind. As long as you install vents you won't have humidity problems. Get 'er done!
Buy a heat gun and do it yourself. Tarps tear in the wind. As long as you install vents you won't have humidity problems. Get 'er done!
Shrinkwrap is reuseable
You should get several years out of the same shrinkwrap. In the spring just fold it up and store it until next year. Any good installation will allow for ventilation to keep things dry. I still prefer to use a plastic tarp with a heavy net holding it down against the wind. The tarp was cheap but my 15X30 foot net cost $100. The tarp will last a couple years and the net will last forever.
You should get several years out of the same shrinkwrap. In the spring just fold it up and store it until next year. Any good installation will allow for ventilation to keep things dry. I still prefer to use a plastic tarp with a heavy net holding it down against the wind. The tarp was cheap but my 15X30 foot net cost $100. The tarp will last a couple years and the net will last forever.
Regards, TedAl, e mail your pics of the cover jybiom@yahoo.com
Al, please e mail me your pics of the cover. jybiom@yahoo.com thanks
Al, please e mail me your pics of the cover. jybiom@yahoo.com thanks
I purchased the largest cover West Marine
makes and made a frame out of 2 by 4s that has a good pitch to it.. Snow slides right off and the boat gets lots of ventilation because the front and back of the cover are open.. The best part is any holes in the tarp "like the ones the mice put in it over the summer" are easly patched with duck tape which happens to be the same color.. This allows me to leave all the hatches and windows open all winter too. I paided 140.00 for the cover three years ago. Holds up well in high winds too.
makes and made a frame out of 2 by 4s that has a good pitch to it.. Snow slides right off and the boat gets lots of ventilation because the front and back of the cover are open.. The best part is any holes in the tarp "like the ones the mice put in it over the summer" are easly patched with duck tape which happens to be the same color.. This allows me to leave all the hatches and windows open all winter too. I paided 140.00 for the cover three years ago. Holds up well in high winds too.
pics on their way
John the pics are on their way to you, tomorrow I'll send you a few more, as the mast is down for this winter and it fits nicely. 60+MPH wind proof
John the pics are on their way to you, tomorrow I'll send you a few more, as the mast is down for this winter and it fits nicely. 60+MPH wind proof
canvas, canvas, canvas
Ray: About 4 years ago I had a custom canvas (boat duck canvas) cut for my 28 foot O'day. It is cut in such a way that I can put it on with the mast up and all rigging in place. I have a 2x6 ridge pole which extend forward to the bow and rests on a vertical support at the mast and on the bow tip which supports the area forward of the mast and the boom which supports the aft portion of the canvas. One person can do it even on a windy day, it is repairable if ripped, doesn't chafe the gel-coat, can be properly snugged so it doesn't flap and breathes well. There are many advantages and the builder said it will last 10 to 15 years depending on how it is cared for. It cost $1500 with most of that being the labor to have it measured and fitted. The next one will use the old one as a template and will be a bit less expensive. I am very satisfied with the cover and would do it again. I did shrink wrap for a while and while I liked the total water proofness of it I had some problems with it. It is hard to install on a windy day, it does not breathe and the expense is fairly high and annual. Your call and good luck
Ray: About 4 years ago I had a custom canvas (boat duck canvas) cut for my 28 foot O'day. It is cut in such a way that I can put it on with the mast up and all rigging in place. I have a 2x6 ridge pole which extend forward to the bow and rests on a vertical support at the mast and on the bow tip which supports the area forward of the mast and the boom which supports the aft portion of the canvas. One person can do it even on a windy day, it is repairable if ripped, doesn't chafe the gel-coat, can be properly snugged so it doesn't flap and breathes well. There are many advantages and the builder said it will last 10 to 15 years depending on how it is cared for. It cost $1500 with most of that being the labor to have it measured and fitted. The next one will use the old one as a template and will be a bit less expensive. I am very satisfied with the cover and would do it again. I did shrink wrap for a while and while I liked the total water proofness of it I had some problems with it. It is hard to install on a windy day, it does not breathe and the expense is fairly high and annual. Your call and good luck
try this
Before moving to warmer areas I would go to a billboard shop and get an old vinyl billboard. Those things have threads inside that wont rip, but, are easy to cut. The most comon size i think is 48x16 so you can cut it up in to many peices.
Before moving to warmer areas I would go to a billboard shop and get an old vinyl billboard. Those things have threads inside that wont rip, but, are easy to cut. The most comon size i think is 48x16 so you can cut it up in to many peices.
Not worth it
Ice and snow have no negative impact on gelcoat/fiberglass. Sun is their enemy. I take the exterior wood off our boat, replacing it with pine, and taking it home forf refinishing over the winter. Learned this trick from a fellow with an h34. David Lady Lillie
Ice and snow have no negative impact on gelcoat/fiberglass. Sun is their enemy. I take the exterior wood off our boat, replacing it with pine, and taking it home forf refinishing over the winter. Learned this trick from a fellow with an h34. David Lady Lillie
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