I live in a cold winter climate. How important is it or any comments on whether to cover my boat for the winter?This is my first winter with the boat (1988)
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Tarp it!
That is by far the easiest and cheapest way to go. Forget the shrink-wrap crap...tons of money for a piece of plastic to end up in a dumpster in the spring and clog the landfills. I've been using the same el-cheapo tarps for the last five years and they haven't failed me yet. Covering the boat will help keep unwanted water out of it, water that will make its way through tiny openings you didn't even know you had. I cover the cabin top and companionway, forward hatch, and cockpit as a minimum. Linkage below to my web page. Happy holidays! Cheers, Bob
That is by far the easiest and cheapest way to go. Forget the shrink-wrap crap...tons of money for a piece of plastic to end up in a dumpster in the spring and clog the landfills. I've been using the same el-cheapo tarps for the last five years and they haven't failed me yet. Covering the boat will help keep unwanted water out of it, water that will make its way through tiny openings you didn't even know you had. I cover the cabin top and companionway, forward hatch, and cockpit as a minimum. Linkage below to my web page. Happy holidays! Cheers, Bob
Crocodile Clips
If you decide to go the tarp route, one of the problems to avoid is collecting water in a sag point in the tarp. Typically there aren't enough gromet holes to tie the tarp off without getting a lot loose areas which can be collecting points for water or snow. There is a potential solution though. Put some tarp clamps along the edge between the gromet holes. Crocodile Clip Locking Tarp Clips from Homax (sold at Home Depot) look like they would be a good solution. see link (hopefully it will work): http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=NAVIGATION&CNTKEY=market%2fpg_zip_code.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@0888821793.1039905403@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccegadcgmjlimfgcgelceffdfgidgjn.0&search_text=tarp%20clamps&DRC=4
If you decide to go the tarp route, one of the problems to avoid is collecting water in a sag point in the tarp. Typically there aren't enough gromet holes to tie the tarp off without getting a lot loose areas which can be collecting points for water or snow. There is a potential solution though. Put some tarp clamps along the edge between the gromet holes. Crocodile Clip Locking Tarp Clips from Homax (sold at Home Depot) look like they would be a good solution. see link (hopefully it will work): http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/diy_main/pg_diy.jsp?CNTTYPE=NAVIGATION&CNTKEY=market%2fpg_zip_code.jsp&BV_SessionID=@@@@0888821793.1039905403@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccegadcgmjlimfgcgelceffdfgidgjn.0&search_text=tarp%20clamps&DRC=4
Why not?
Ok, I don't live in a cold weather area but what harm could it do? Bob was right when he said water would work its way in anyway it can. You'll be surprised how much comes in, even with a tarp! LaDonna
Ok, I don't live in a cold weather area but what harm could it do? Bob was right when he said water would work its way in anyway it can. You'll be surprised how much comes in, even with a tarp! LaDonna
More on Tarps for small boats in cold climates
John is right about the sag points. In Wyoming, mine tends to accumulate snow, it melts and puddles, freezes, several times in succession, causing severe weight accumulation. If I support these areas in advance from beneath like with a large plastic garbage pail, I avoid most of the problem. Also, I place blocks beneath the spreaders on the cabin top before I place the tarp over the downed mast since weight is tough on unsupported spreaders. I like the silver tarps that they use on haystacks much better than anything I can buy at Home Depot etc. And one can tie most anywhere by placing a small round rock on one side, bunching the tarp around it and tieing it off with a light line with some half hitches, keeping the other end for tying to the trailer or wherever. Dick
John is right about the sag points. In Wyoming, mine tends to accumulate snow, it melts and puddles, freezes, several times in succession, causing severe weight accumulation. If I support these areas in advance from beneath like with a large plastic garbage pail, I avoid most of the problem. Also, I place blocks beneath the spreaders on the cabin top before I place the tarp over the downed mast since weight is tough on unsupported spreaders. I like the silver tarps that they use on haystacks much better than anything I can buy at Home Depot etc. And one can tie most anywhere by placing a small round rock on one side, bunching the tarp around it and tieing it off with a light line with some half hitches, keeping the other end for tying to the trailer or wherever. Dick
Prior to wind storms, remove it!
We just had a wind storm here in the Reno area with winds gusting to 84 mph. Lake Tahoe winds over the ridges were gusting to 134 mph!! I had my boat under a brand new tarp, now with the grommets torn-out of the port side attachment points. By the time I got to my boat, that tarp was slapping against the starboard side of the hull like a beast gone wild. That gloss finish on my hull?.....GONE! The port side still has that shine, but the starboard side looks like someone cleaned it with abrasive cleaning powder. Also, the tongue end of my trailer was moved three feet off center by that wind. Sure glad the boat didn't turn-over.
We just had a wind storm here in the Reno area with winds gusting to 84 mph. Lake Tahoe winds over the ridges were gusting to 134 mph!! I had my boat under a brand new tarp, now with the grommets torn-out of the port side attachment points. By the time I got to my boat, that tarp was slapping against the starboard side of the hull like a beast gone wild. That gloss finish on my hull?.....GONE! The port side still has that shine, but the starboard side looks like someone cleaned it with abrasive cleaning powder. Also, the tongue end of my trailer was moved three feet off center by that wind. Sure glad the boat didn't turn-over.
Tarp & Ventillate
I've always tarped "Southbound" for the winter - keeps snow, ice, & DIRT off - but you must provide adequate ventillation to prevent mold. I made a PVC pipe (electrical conduit) space frame to support the hardware store (cheapo) tarp. The frame is nearly forever, and the tarps last several years. Carefull design of the frame prevents sags which can accumulate burden.
I've always tarped "Southbound" for the winter - keeps snow, ice, & DIRT off - but you must provide adequate ventillation to prevent mold. I made a PVC pipe (electrical conduit) space frame to support the hardware store (cheapo) tarp. The frame is nearly forever, and the tarps last several years. Carefull design of the frame prevents sags which can accumulate burden.
tough stains in the spring without covering
I have problems with leaves from Oak trees leaving a black stain on my deck. If I do not cover the boat I end up with some tough stains and a lot of elbow work in the spring.
I have problems with leaves from Oak trees leaving a black stain on my deck. If I do not cover the boat I end up with some tough stains and a lot of elbow work in the spring.
I'll second some good points already made
The silver tarps will out last those cheapo blue or green or brown ones several times over. The alligator clips aren't worth a dime....don't waste your bucks. The stone, like you should have learned in boy scouts, works fine but I prefer those little yellow clips....don't know what you call them. They have to be put on the tarp while it's still warm however. Brad on the Willy T
The silver tarps will out last those cheapo blue or green or brown ones several times over. The alligator clips aren't worth a dime....don't waste your bucks. The stone, like you should have learned in boy scouts, works fine but I prefer those little yellow clips....don't know what you call them. They have to be put on the tarp while it's still warm however. Brad on the Willy T
Yellow Clamp Work Good?
That's what I've been using - the two part hummers where you put a round part inside the other part - but they leave a wrinkled part in the tarp. Thought this year I'd try the alligator clips but Brad says they don't work? Sometimes you just can't win.
That's what I've been using - the two part hummers where you put a round part inside the other part - but they leave a wrinkled part in the tarp. Thought this year I'd try the alligator clips but Brad says they don't work? Sometimes you just can't win.
Don't forget duct tape!!
It works super to tape folds and overlaps which otherwise would let the wind get underneath. Come Spring, cut it off with a pocket knife. It won't peel off!! Tom
It works super to tape folds and overlaps which otherwise would let the wind get underneath. Come Spring, cut it off with a pocket knife. It won't peel off!! Tom
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