To cover or not to cover that is the question!

Nodak7 · Aug 27, 2013

luv2sail67 said:
Hello - I am looking for perspectives about covering your boat for the winter in Northern climates (in our case southern Georgian bay, Ontario). Our boat was in a management program and they didn't believe any cover was necessary (with exception of a helm station cover), and after 5 years the boat still looks fabulous.

Are there advantages / disadvantages to a canvas cover, low profile vs. shrink wrap vs. no cover?
Thanks

Luv,

We have covered our boat here every year. Keeps the boat much cleaner and keeps the rain and snow out of the cockpit. Not to say anything about saving the interior. No sun damage to the curtains or cushions. The difference between covered and uncovered boats at the end of the winter is significant.

Nodak

Don Crowther · Aug 27, 2013

The last couple of years I've only covered the cockpit with a tarp. It keeps most of the leaves out and the companion way entrance stays dry. We get some good winds and most of the plastic tarps I see are in tatters by spring. In the spring a light pressure wash and scrub and we're go to go.

tomfoolery · Aug 27, 2013

Take a walk through a marina with boat houses and ask yourself the same question .... A boathouse kept power boat will look great all year . Your and my sailboats without a winter over will look great for a couple of months each spring after we spend 20 hrs or so cleaning off the top sides and waxing and polishing... I keep my 15 year old car in the garage, it looks brand new, not so with the same car that sits in the driveway. IMHO. Covers are not cheap though.

Don S/V ILLusion · Aug 27, 2013

Fiberglass and gelcoat are porous. There are numerous fittings, corners, rails, holes with varying effectiveness of sealants especially around dissimilar materials like chainplates and windows each with differing expansion/contraction properties.

All of the above present openings into which water can penetrate and we all know what happens to water when it freezes or permeates structure.

Even here n Florida, we cover boats to minimize heat and UV exposure.

I think the better question is why would anyone NOT cover their boat.

quadrille38 · Aug 27, 2013

I have used a custom canvas cover on two different boats for the last 17 years and would not consider any other way. Keeps leaves and stuff that will stain the boat out of the cockpit.
Had a friend that didn't cover and the leaves plugged the scuppers. Then the cockpit filled with water until it flowed over the companionway into the cabin and made a real mess. Then the mass of water froze. Water expands when it freezes. Any guess what the cockpit looked like after the expansion?

By the way, I'd never shrink wrap. We bought one boat that previous owner did. There was mold just about everywhere inside because the stuff doesn't breath. Besides its costly and is a one time use.
My custom covers were pricey at first cost but are made to fit, go on in about an hour working by myself, and my first one lasted 11 years. Worked out to $100 per year purchase cost.

splax · Aug 31, 2013

Looking at the expenses and effects of covering, I am going with a plastic tarp draped over the boom and tied to the toe rail. The tarp will help shed the rain/sleet/snow and shield from the sun to protect the cabin ports, the main sail and lines running on the cabin top. The cost will be $15-$20 per year, the tarp will probably be trashed.
If blowing debris is a concern rig plastic netting in the cockpit to keep the drains clear.
Nothing beats regular attention, so check on your boat to maintain your investment.

DougMc · Sep 1, 2013

CAUTION! A tarp that comes loose in the winter can beat through gel coat in a week. Tarps and covers need to very well secured and checked frequently. I have seen a lot of taped boats looking very poor in the spring.

quadrille38 · Sep 2, 2013

One other discovery for me that I happened upon quite unplanned.

The first year I owned my Catalina 34 I did the blue tarp thing. It took my dad and I between 6 and 8 hours to get supports made and the tarp on. It was a bear especially with mast up trying to fit the thing so that it would stay on and not rip or flap.

Year two I was in the hospital and choices were limited. That's when I evaluated shrink wrap even though I've never liked the stuff. A few phone calls in to the process and I discovered a local company that does canvas work and makes winter covers. After comparing the cost / benefits I went with the custom fit canvas cover. And since I was having it made, it came installed that year.

My big discovery came the next year when I set out to cover the boat. And the discovery was that working alone I could do the whole cover start to finish in 1 hour. That time saving and ease was enough to convince me is made the right choice.

When we bought the Hunter 38 the very next call was to order a winter cover for it.
And now maybe I've gotten soft or actually I think it is that sailing time is precious but the shop that makes them offers a service where they put them on in the fall, take them off in the spring, inspect and repair them and store it for me. So when the season is done, we haul the boat, make a phone call and the cover is taken care of. It's a sweet deal.