Winter cover for cockpit (or more)?

[JPHarris]

As a new owner of a 1993 H30, I'm looking for advice on covering the cockpit (or the whole boat) during a winter layover.

I'm tentatively planning to keep the boat (winterized) in the water this winter. (We're in a tributary of the Chesapeake just south of Annapolis, where freezing seems very rare from my limited experience and chats with neighbors, but we may still invest in a dock bubbler as a safety measure.)

My question is what potential damage might be done if we get a few inches of snow in the cockpit, which could then freeze into ice and expand.

And to avoid this, what options there are other than shrink-wrapping the boat - which I'd prefer to avoid so I have access to it for some maintenance during the off-season.

Are there Sunbrella cockpit covers that are pre-made for this boat? (I haven't found any on-line) or do I need to have one custom-measured and sewn? Same question about a dodger and side-curtains to go with the bimini we already have.

Advice from long-term Hunter owners would be most welcome!

Jeff - Edgewater MD

 

[Dave602]

We have a full cover we put on ours in the water down here on the York River. Not much snow down here. It does help keep it clean from November to March. It has a rear access door so you may go inside. Good for doing projects inside. A little sunshine and it is very warm down below.

 

[JPHarris]

Thanks, Dave.
Did you have this custom-made, or buy it somewhere?
Jeff

We have a full cover we put on ours in the water down here on the York River. Not much snow down here. It does help keep it clean from November to March. It has a rear access door so you may go inside. Good for doing projects inside. A little sunshine and it is very warm down below.

 

[Dave602]

It came with the boat. I priced one like it at the Boat Show and the guy told me it was about $2,500 for a 30 footer. Mine is in 3 pcs. takes a couple of hours to put on once the bimini and sails are stripped. Well worth it in my opinion. We get a good 4 months with minimal dirt underneath, no soot from the power station near by and no bird droppings and it is protected from the UV. We have modified it a little at the bow to take the slack out a little better using the spin halyard.

 

[JPHarris]

Thanks so much, Dave.
The photos were also helpful.
Have a new year of good sailing!
Jeff

It came with the boat. I priced one like it at the Boat Show and the guy told me it was about $2,500 for a 30 footer. Mine is in 3 pcs. takes a couple of hours to put on once the bimini and sails are stripped. Well worth it in my opinion. We get a good 4 months with minimal dirt underneath, no soot from the power station near by and no bird droppings and it is protected from the UV. We have modified it a little at the bow to take the slack out a little better using the spin halyard.

 

[quadrille38]

There was a full thread on here about covers earlier this fall. Do a search there was a wealth of information

I cover with a custom made full cover and would not do it any other way.

 

[janiceandcraig]

I have to agree on custom covering. We had one made for our 29.5 for about $1500 after tarping and shrink wraping for 5 years. We purchased one immediately on purchase of our new (to us) 456. Jim Walenski from Shipshape canvas does a great cover with vents and access for what I believe is a very fair price. His web site has lots of photos of varios boats he has done.

 

[JPHarris]

Thanks, Janice and Craig - that gives me another price-point to consider.
Jeff

I have to agree on custom covering. We had one made for our 29.5 for about $1500 after tarping and shrink wraping for 5 years. We purchased one immediately on purchase of our new (to us) 456. Jim Walenski from Shipshape canvas does a great cover with vents and access for what I believe is a very fair price. His web site has lots of photos of varios boats he has done.

 

[JPHarris]

Thanks, but...

I looked through the last 3 months of postings and also searched with the word "cover" and didn't find this thread. Do you happen to recall more about it (date, title, etc.) or happen to save the link?
Much obliged!
Jeff

There was a full thread on here about covers earlier this fall. Do a search there was a wealth of information

I cover with a custom made full cover and would not do it any other way.

 

[quadrille38]

Can't seem to get a link to send you but its under BIG BOATS and is titled TO COVER OR NOT TO COVER THAT IS THE QUESTION.

 

[JPHarris]

Thanks again - this time I found it at
http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=155884
- Jeff

Can't seem to get a link to send you but its under BIG BOATS and is titled TO COVER OR NOT TO COVER THAT IS THE QUESTION.

 

[Bill Roosa]

winter cover or bimini with curtians?????

If you are going to go for a winter cover let me make one observation. My bimini with curtains all around accomplishes the same thing but you can use it all year. ABSOLUTELY GREAT when the season turns cool or to keep the bugs out at night. If you are going to buy I'd recommend biting the bullet and go for the full package. The cost difference can't be that much. I made mine (sans the tubing supports) for about $2000 in materials and 5 or 6 weekends of abusing the Admiral's sewing machine.

 

[Bill Roosa]

If you are considering building your own I have a set of powerpoint drawings that can help get you started. All the parts are the same just the measurements will be different. My experience with building left me wondering what the hunter builders where smoking when the layed up our boat as she is clearly not symmetrical. Close but you can't take port and convert it to a starboard measurement with confidence.

 

[JPHarris]

Thanks for the suggestion - not sure I have your level of sewing skill but that's a nice-looking setup!
JEff

If you are going to go for a winter cover let me make one observation. My bimini with curtains all around accomplishes the same thing but you can use it all year. ABSOLUTELY GREAT when the season turns cool or to keep the bugs out at night. If you are going to buy I'd recommend biting the bullet and go for the full package. The cost difference can't be that much. I made mine (sans the tubing supports) for about $2000 in materials and 5 or 6 weekends of abusing the Admiral's sewing machine.