I winter my Hunter in Ontario which means it is pulled and stored on the hard. Last year I used a tarp to cover the boat for the first time ever. As a result of somevery high winds the structure supporting the tarp blew over damaging two stantions in the process. I also experienced an attack of mildew on some of my teak below decks. My current thinking is that whatever moisture is in the hull will freeze regardless of covering or not, ultra violel light is at its weakest during winter months and the boat will be better ventilated without a tarp, I will probably not bother to tarp the boat this winter. Perhaps the strong advocates of covering boats during the winter would give us there reasoning.
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HenryV
Minimum cover
I also spent time covering last year and had a big storm destroy my cover. Considering that in the south the boats see UV all year round I don't think we need to worry about exposure to the sun. This year I will only cover those areas where I think freezing water may do damage. Accordingly only the cockpit area will be covered. This will protect the teak seats and the pedestal area. I also plan to use plastic and duct tape to cover winches and lines where feasible.
I also spent time covering last year and had a big storm destroy my cover. Considering that in the south the boats see UV all year round I don't think we need to worry about exposure to the sun. This year I will only cover those areas where I think freezing water may do damage. Accordingly only the cockpit area will be covered. This will protect the teak seats and the pedestal area. I also plan to use plastic and duct tape to cover winches and lines where feasible.
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Scott Mathey
Yes, to cover or not??
Colin, I too have had bad results from covering my boat over the winter in the manner in which you spoke of. A layer of dust finds it's way to the surface of the boat between the tarp and gelcoat and the wind moves the tarp back and forth which is the same as fine sand paper. I bought a vehickle awning from Costco made with a steel frame and covered with tarp and raised it up about two feet so I could back the boat under it on the trailer. It just barely fits under the covering. The entire set up cost less than two hundred dollars. In the summer when the boat is in the lake we use it for shade to park under. I raised it by using pipe that was the next size down from the kit pipes and cutting it into four foot lengths and cementing them into five gallon buckets w/ post mix. It has lasted for three years but I will have to replace the tarp in the spring. Having the cement anchors under ground has kept it in place through some substancial wind storms w/ ghusts. Take Care, Scott
Colin, I too have had bad results from covering my boat over the winter in the manner in which you spoke of. A layer of dust finds it's way to the surface of the boat between the tarp and gelcoat and the wind moves the tarp back and forth which is the same as fine sand paper. I bought a vehickle awning from Costco made with a steel frame and covered with tarp and raised it up about two feet so I could back the boat under it on the trailer. It just barely fits under the covering. The entire set up cost less than two hundred dollars. In the summer when the boat is in the lake we use it for shade to park under. I raised it by using pipe that was the next size down from the kit pipes and cutting it into four foot lengths and cementing them into five gallon buckets w/ post mix. It has lasted for three years but I will have to replace the tarp in the spring. Having the cement anchors under ground has kept it in place through some substancial wind storms w/ ghusts. Take Care, Scott
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John K Kudera
My Concern is,
Keeping the heavier snow accumulations out of the cockpit area, To do that, we made a sumbrella cover that uses the snaps and pipe frame of the dodger, then over a 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe that rests on the back of the backstays, and has legs to rest on the deck at the point where the backstays attach to the boat. We then tie off to the stern rail. and points along the toe rails. Air can circulate, I can stand in the cockpit, have access to the lazarette too. This keeps weather off the sliding hatch, (no leaks) I cover the pedistal with another cover, with the wheel off and down below.helps keep the bulk of rain and snow out and away from the drains.Cover has lasted 12 years!
Keeping the heavier snow accumulations out of the cockpit area, To do that, we made a sumbrella cover that uses the snaps and pipe frame of the dodger, then over a 1 1/2 inch PVC pipe that rests on the back of the backstays, and has legs to rest on the deck at the point where the backstays attach to the boat. We then tie off to the stern rail. and points along the toe rails. Air can circulate, I can stand in the cockpit, have access to the lazarette too. This keeps weather off the sliding hatch, (no leaks) I cover the pedistal with another cover, with the wheel off and down below.helps keep the bulk of rain and snow out and away from the drains.Cover has lasted 12 years!
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Peter Brennan
Conventional wiasdom
is that you cover the boat if freezing temperatures are expected over the winter. Keeps freezing water out of minute cracks in the gelcoat. But a cover that is anything less than a house on top of the boat is worse than no cover at all. As noted, wind can tear the thing apart and take bits of the boat with it. Snow and ice can collapse it and also damage the boat. Moton of the cover and the tie down ropes can damage the gelcoat too. And it gets filthy under the cover. So, not willing to lay out a substantial portion of the value of the boat for a really effective cover, we have in recent years not bothered to cover at all. Indeed, some years we don't even haul and have the use of the boat all winter. This has been especially apt in the last few years when there has been virtually no snow at all.
is that you cover the boat if freezing temperatures are expected over the winter. Keeps freezing water out of minute cracks in the gelcoat. But a cover that is anything less than a house on top of the boat is worse than no cover at all. As noted, wind can tear the thing apart and take bits of the boat with it. Snow and ice can collapse it and also damage the boat. Moton of the cover and the tie down ropes can damage the gelcoat too. And it gets filthy under the cover. So, not willing to lay out a substantial portion of the value of the boat for a really effective cover, we have in recent years not bothered to cover at all. Indeed, some years we don't even haul and have the use of the boat all winter. This has been especially apt in the last few years when there has been virtually no snow at all.
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Joe R., SV Skooky 3 - Cat 30
Here's Why Cover
North of Kentucky we see a lot of snow and freezing rain. If you have even a slight leak due to a loose stantion or mast plate or any thing else that has been screwed or bolted through the deck, you are inviting moisture below the deck. When the cold winds blow, that moisture will freeze and expand. Do that a few times and you have a major route for moisture under the deck/hull and the next step is delamination or rotting of the marine plywood. Do yourself a favor and cover. Shrink wrap about $350 per season keeps out all the dirt(almost) and is vented to prevent the condensation. There will be a greenhouse effect which will help dry any moisture below the surface of the fiberglass. You could also remove the stantions and bow pulpit which will increase the drying effect and force you to re-seal the hardware in the spring. All in all a cheap insurance policy against expensive deck repairs. Joe Refkin s/v Skooky 3 Catalina 30
North of Kentucky we see a lot of snow and freezing rain. If you have even a slight leak due to a loose stantion or mast plate or any thing else that has been screwed or bolted through the deck, you are inviting moisture below the deck. When the cold winds blow, that moisture will freeze and expand. Do that a few times and you have a major route for moisture under the deck/hull and the next step is delamination or rotting of the marine plywood. Do yourself a favor and cover. Shrink wrap about $350 per season keeps out all the dirt(almost) and is vented to prevent the condensation. There will be a greenhouse effect which will help dry any moisture below the surface of the fiberglass. You could also remove the stantions and bow pulpit which will increase the drying effect and force you to re-seal the hardware in the spring. All in all a cheap insurance policy against expensive deck repairs. Joe Refkin s/v Skooky 3 Catalina 30
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Jim A
I got the fine sand finsh from the cover too!
This year I am placing carpet around the gel coat to protect it!
This year I am placing carpet around the gel coat to protect it!
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Joe R., SV Skooky 3 - Cat 30
Shrink wrap
Shrink wrap doesnt rub the gel coat as it is taped down and doesn't flap in the breeze. It is more expensive though.
Shrink wrap doesnt rub the gel coat as it is taped down and doesn't flap in the breeze. It is more expensive though.
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