I suppose I am posting this a little late, but I remember people posting negative things about shrink wrapping so I decided to not have any covering put on my boat. After talking today to my cousin (by marriage) who now runs a marine service company. He seemed to suggest I was making a big mistake by not covering the boat is some way. I don't want to start a war, but I am looking for opinions. My boat is a Hunter 25.5 1985 it's in ok shape. -- Jeremy
Shrinkwrap, Tarp, or don't bother?
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No, not too late
No, it's not too late to start covering a 20-year old boat. My 18-year old boat was showing the beginning signs of UV and weather deterioration, such as minor rust on stainless parts, hairline gelcoat cracks, split wood, as well as mold from constant damp; now that I use the cover the cleaning and repair I've done is surviving the winter. I have a custom canvas cover and it's a lot of time and trouble to assemble. If you don't have work you're trying to do inside the boat in the off season then I think shrinkwrap will be the way to go, and only slightly more expensive over time than custom canvas. Read up on the issues people have had with shrinkwrap, such as mold from too much contact with the hull, but there's no need to be afraid of it. I have yet to see a homemade tarp, even with a really well made frame, stand up to high winds without needing some attention; if you make a tarp tent be sure to visit the boat once or twice a month in the off season to readjust things. Visiting directly after a storm will let you fix bad situations such as drooping tarps full of ice before they do any damage.
No, it's not too late to start covering a 20-year old boat. My 18-year old boat was showing the beginning signs of UV and weather deterioration, such as minor rust on stainless parts, hairline gelcoat cracks, split wood, as well as mold from constant damp; now that I use the cover the cleaning and repair I've done is surviving the winter. I have a custom canvas cover and it's a lot of time and trouble to assemble. If you don't have work you're trying to do inside the boat in the off season then I think shrinkwrap will be the way to go, and only slightly more expensive over time than custom canvas. Read up on the issues people have had with shrinkwrap, such as mold from too much contact with the hull, but there's no need to be afraid of it. I have yet to see a homemade tarp, even with a really well made frame, stand up to high winds without needing some attention; if you make a tarp tent be sure to visit the boat once or twice a month in the off season to readjust things. Visiting directly after a storm will let you fix bad situations such as drooping tarps full of ice before they do any damage.
Tarp the cockpit
It's easy and cheap to throw a tarp over the companion way/helm and keep snow, water, and ice from filling up the back of the boat, the rest of the boat should be alright.
It's easy and cheap to throw a tarp over the companion way/helm and keep snow, water, and ice from filling up the back of the boat, the rest of the boat should be alright.
Tarp
A 25 footer on a trailer with the mast down should not be too difficult to cover. I would cover it as the snow and water just get into everything....anything to minimize moisture exposure can't be a bad thing! Rob
A 25 footer on a trailer with the mast down should not be too difficult to cover. I would cover it as the snow and water just get into everything....anything to minimize moisture exposure can't be a bad thing! Rob
tarp...for sure
For sure you should get a "heavy Duty" tarp from (dont know if you have this store in your area) Ocean State Job Lot. for about 40 bucks you can get a green tarp, 30'by 20'. Don't get the blue tarp. They blow out easy. If you rest your mast in crutches, use that for your ridge pole. secure the tarp semi snug at all tie points. open any ports that are well under the tarp. The tarp will last only one year, but it is cheap insurance protecting against water infiltration. Good winds, Eric
For sure you should get a "heavy Duty" tarp from (dont know if you have this store in your area) Ocean State Job Lot. for about 40 bucks you can get a green tarp, 30'by 20'. Don't get the blue tarp. They blow out easy. If you rest your mast in crutches, use that for your ridge pole. secure the tarp semi snug at all tie points. open any ports that are well under the tarp. The tarp will last only one year, but it is cheap insurance protecting against water infiltration. Good winds, Eric
To tarp or shrink wrap
I'm with Eric on this one! If your mast is on the cruthes the tarp will tent over nicely. I do this and tie down or bungee to the trailer. Also I leave ends open alittle to breath. I do know from past experience if you wrap a boat or in my case a camper to tight, all the interior hardware can pit and become oxidized. Mine did! Also you can get into a mold & mildew mess. However I really don't think winter is as bad on the hull(fiberglass) as summer. The UV rays are'nt nearly as intense. The main thing in the winter is getting a boat load of snow which alwway turns to ice. Oh, also on my sailboat I take all hallards & ropes off the mast and then just tent the boat over the mast with a tarp, I use a silver heavy duty tarp, it collects less heat from the sun. Regards, Brian
I'm with Eric on this one! If your mast is on the cruthes the tarp will tent over nicely. I do this and tie down or bungee to the trailer. Also I leave ends open alittle to breath. I do know from past experience if you wrap a boat or in my case a camper to tight, all the interior hardware can pit and become oxidized. Mine did! Also you can get into a mold & mildew mess. However I really don't think winter is as bad on the hull(fiberglass) as summer. The UV rays are'nt nearly as intense. The main thing in the winter is getting a boat load of snow which alwway turns to ice. Oh, also on my sailboat I take all hallards & ropes off the mast and then just tent the boat over the mast with a tarp, I use a silver heavy duty tarp, it collects less heat from the sun. Regards, Brian
Tarp works well for me!
I covered from mast to stern over aft cockpit with tarp. Left dodger and bimini up and went over boom dodger and bimini. Got one big enough to go over life lines and down sides. Used bungee cords to tie down going under hull from side to side. Go around keel fore and aft with bungees to prevent shifting and pressure on stands (real bummer if tarp pulls stand out -domino effect, etc). used 1" dia pvc going across deck/dodger to shore up shallow spots. No rain, ice, or snow accumulation because of slope and ability to flex with wind blow thru. Bought HD Tarp at OSJL in RI and supported spots where it rubs on stantions and PVC elbows with star of DUCT TAPE. My 1st year and am very pleased with results. $40 tarp, $3.00 tape, $10 for asstd bungee kit. Beat shrink cost big big. Bob C. S/V Valkyrie 35.5 Irwin Citation
I covered from mast to stern over aft cockpit with tarp. Left dodger and bimini up and went over boom dodger and bimini. Got one big enough to go over life lines and down sides. Used bungee cords to tie down going under hull from side to side. Go around keel fore and aft with bungees to prevent shifting and pressure on stands (real bummer if tarp pulls stand out -domino effect, etc). used 1" dia pvc going across deck/dodger to shore up shallow spots. No rain, ice, or snow accumulation because of slope and ability to flex with wind blow thru. Bought HD Tarp at OSJL in RI and supported spots where it rubs on stantions and PVC elbows with star of DUCT TAPE. My 1st year and am very pleased with results. $40 tarp, $3.00 tape, $10 for asstd bungee kit. Beat shrink cost big big. Bob C. S/V Valkyrie 35.5 Irwin Citation
Canvas Tarp
We decided to use the three heaviest canvas tarps we could find for covers when we bought our new (to us) boat nine years ago. This year (year 9) we think we'll have to replace one of the three. (14'x21') . When we consider the price of shrink-wrapping every year, we figure we broke even on the costs after the second year. We've re-designed the frame with different materials twice, and still figure shrink-wrapping is an expensive ecological mistake.
We decided to use the three heaviest canvas tarps we could find for covers when we bought our new (to us) boat nine years ago. This year (year 9) we think we'll have to replace one of the three. (14'x21') . When we consider the price of shrink-wrapping every year, we figure we broke even on the costs after the second year. We've re-designed the frame with different materials twice, and still figure shrink-wrapping is an expensive ecological mistake.
I'm not sure the reasons in NY, here....
At Horseshoe Bay, in BC, the issue isn't snow or harsh weather, but more the frigging shells dropped by the birds. I have a tarp over my boat so I don't have to shovel out the shells. And these shells get into everything, plugging this and stopping that. By the way, do grey herons migrate? I haven't seen our resident heron who used to squack at me everytime I went to the boat.
At Horseshoe Bay, in BC, the issue isn't snow or harsh weather, but more the frigging shells dropped by the birds. I have a tarp over my boat so I don't have to shovel out the shells. And these shells get into everything, plugging this and stopping that. By the way, do grey herons migrate? I haven't seen our resident heron who used to squack at me everytime I went to the boat.
tarp or shrinkwrap
Hello, When I had my 22' Catalina, I covered it with a large tarp. The mast was down, and laid on top of the boat. The tarp made a nice tent. However, rain and snow would pool in the low spots. I would go out there every few days to drain the water. The tarp worked well, but draining the water was a pain. With my 28' Newport, I had the boat yard shrink wrap it. For $350, they built a nice frame, shrink wrapped it, put in vents and a door. It worked great. I was able to bring home the companionway board to refinish them, let the boat dry out, opened up the chainplates to let them dry, etc. In the spring it was great to work on the boat under the cover. Then, when it got to be the middle of April, I cut the wrap off, painted the bottom, and splashed her. This year my boat is shrink wrapped again. Barry
Hello, When I had my 22' Catalina, I covered it with a large tarp. The mast was down, and laid on top of the boat. The tarp made a nice tent. However, rain and snow would pool in the low spots. I would go out there every few days to drain the water. The tarp worked well, but draining the water was a pain. With my 28' Newport, I had the boat yard shrink wrap it. For $350, they built a nice frame, shrink wrapped it, put in vents and a door. It worked great. I was able to bring home the companionway board to refinish them, let the boat dry out, opened up the chainplates to let them dry, etc. In the spring it was great to work on the boat under the cover. Then, when it got to be the middle of April, I cut the wrap off, painted the bottom, and splashed her. This year my boat is shrink wrapped again. Barry
C22 Winter Tarp
The cheap blue tarps work well for me. I use three 15' X 20' tarps (& a small tarp over the bow) as they are easier to handle than larger & conform better to the boat shape. There are 2 layers of tarps when using procedure. The tarps are 5 years old. If they are installed tightly & don't blow with the wind, they will last longer. I have a wooden frame over the cockpit. I remove the stantions (they slip out of their bases) & remove the spreader. The tarps are tucked in between the hull & trailer bunks. Merry Christmas from the North!!
The cheap blue tarps work well for me. I use three 15' X 20' tarps (& a small tarp over the bow) as they are easier to handle than larger & conform better to the boat shape. There are 2 layers of tarps when using procedure. The tarps are 5 years old. If they are installed tightly & don't blow with the wind, they will last longer. I have a wooden frame over the cockpit. I remove the stantions (they slip out of their bases) & remove the spreader. The tarps are tucked in between the hull & trailer bunks. Merry Christmas from the North!!
To rsn48: YES, Great Blue Herons migrate.
I don't know about the Vancouver herons, but the ones in the east coast / midwest seem to travel to God's Waiting Room (Fla) for the winter. In the summer, they leave the heat, bugs and snakes to the locals (like all sensible Snow Birds do). Steve Alchemist
I don't know about the Vancouver herons, but the ones in the east coast / midwest seem to travel to God's Waiting Room (Fla) for the winter. In the summer, they leave the heat, bugs and snakes to the locals (like all sensible Snow Birds do). Steve Alchemist
Go with a tarp
Shrinkwrap is too expensive if you pay someone to do it, and too time consuming if you do it yourself, not too mention you need an expensive heat gun. You can easily frame and tarp your boat yourself as soon as it is out of the water, rather than waiting on yard workers or others. Lots of ways owners build frames; wood, plastic pipe, mast etc. I use metal electrical conduit. Strong, small diam. and easy to bend and shape. Get a good plastic tarp and it lasts many years. I am on my 5th year with my current one. Kevin
Shrinkwrap is too expensive if you pay someone to do it, and too time consuming if you do it yourself, not too mention you need an expensive heat gun. You can easily frame and tarp your boat yourself as soon as it is out of the water, rather than waiting on yard workers or others. Lots of ways owners build frames; wood, plastic pipe, mast etc. I use metal electrical conduit. Strong, small diam. and easy to bend and shape. Get a good plastic tarp and it lasts many years. I am on my 5th year with my current one. Kevin
No cover
Snow and ice actually protect fiberglass from the reduced UV rays of the winter. By far the most UV damage occurs in the summer time. We leave Lady Lillie open to th weather. I do remove all of the exterior teak, and replace it with pine. This allows leisurely varnishing at home and replacement in the spring. David Lady Lillie
Snow and ice actually protect fiberglass from the reduced UV rays of the winter. By far the most UV damage occurs in the summer time. We leave Lady Lillie open to th weather. I do remove all of the exterior teak, and replace it with pine. This allows leisurely varnishing at home and replacement in the spring. David Lady Lillie
Get the Cadilac Version 
Fairclough Winter Cover -- Or as practical Sailor called them -- The "Rolls Royce" of Sailboat covers http://www.faircloughsailmakers.com/home.htm
Fairclough Winter Cover -- Or as practical Sailor called them -- The "Rolls Royce" of Sailboat covers http://www.faircloughsailmakers.com/home.htm
Or here is the Chevy Version
Fairclough Winter Cover -- The "Boom Tent" http://www.faircloughsailmakers.com/boomtent_flyer.cfm.htm All of these are custom made -- and made well
Fairclough Winter Cover -- The "Boom Tent" http://www.faircloughsailmakers.com/boomtent_flyer.cfm.htm All of these are custom made -- and made well
Not sure what I am going to do...
My cousin (by marriage) runs his own marine service company. He said he's shrink wrap it for me for $7.00 a foot. He normally charges $10.00 a foot. I also requested a qoute from the company Tom S posted. I am guessing there wouldn't be much hope in getting something made in time to make it useful for this winter. My wife said to go for the shrink wrapping, but I am still considering just tarping the cockpit. Thanks guys! -- Jeremy
My cousin (by marriage) runs his own marine service company. He said he's shrink wrap it for me for $7.00 a foot. He normally charges $10.00 a foot. I also requested a qoute from the company Tom S posted. I am guessing there wouldn't be much hope in getting something made in time to make it useful for this winter. My wife said to go for the shrink wrapping, but I am still considering just tarping the cockpit. Thanks guys! -- Jeremy
White vs Blue tarp
I use a white tarp (Home Depot). It let enough light through to keep the solar vent working. Even a small amount of air movement keeps the mildrew away. The blue and green one block too much sun light.
I use a white tarp (Home Depot). It let enough light through to keep the solar vent working. Even a small amount of air movement keeps the mildrew away. The blue and green one block too much sun light.
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