I sure hate the waste involved in plastic wrap for the winter. Tarps always seem to turn out poorly. Are those canvas covers worth it? Anybody know of a used one for sale that might fit a H37 if they're any good? Alternatives short of sailing south?
winter cover
- Thread starter DanMaine
- Start date
Finding a used one will be tough. It has to fit not only the rough length and beam of your boat, but each and every stancion, shroud, push pit leg, etc. is an Opening on the cover.
I personally think they are worth it, and bought one my second year of boat ownership with my O’Day 322. The first year, I covered it with some tarps, and made a wooden frame…took way too long to do it. Tearing it down in the spring was a huge mess too.
The second year, I bought a 3-piece canvas cover. That was about 8 years ago. Cover is still going strong. Just pulled the boxes out of my basement and loaded them in my truck to take out to the marina…boat gets hauled on Saturday.
The 3 pieces zip together with some beefy zippers. Mine uses the boom for support in the back, and A halyard attached to an eye on the part to help keep it tight and suspended over the winter.
I would elect to get mine a little longer on the sides if I were to do it again…mine comes pretty much just to the toe rail in some places…having it a foot longer all around would have been niice.
I have had to use my speedy stitcher to reset a few things over the years, but overall, she looks pretty good for 8 years. I also had an issue with the ends of my traveller being very sharp, and the cover rubbing on them, especially in a strong wind from one direction or the other. I put something against the end of the traveller to keep the cover from rubbing on it until I could get a grinder and round off the edges of the traveller…all better now.
The tarp version:
Canvas cover:
Mine took 6 months to make, and that was before the pandemic and supply chain issues…
Greg
I personally think they are worth it, and bought one my second year of boat ownership with my O’Day 322. The first year, I covered it with some tarps, and made a wooden frame…took way too long to do it. Tearing it down in the spring was a huge mess too.
The second year, I bought a 3-piece canvas cover. That was about 8 years ago. Cover is still going strong. Just pulled the boxes out of my basement and loaded them in my truck to take out to the marina…boat gets hauled on Saturday.
The 3 pieces zip together with some beefy zippers. Mine uses the boom for support in the back, and A halyard attached to an eye on the part to help keep it tight and suspended over the winter.
I would elect to get mine a little longer on the sides if I were to do it again…mine comes pretty much just to the toe rail in some places…having it a foot longer all around would have been niice.
I have had to use my speedy stitcher to reset a few things over the years, but overall, she looks pretty good for 8 years. I also had an issue with the ends of my traveller being very sharp, and the cover rubbing on them, especially in a strong wind from one direction or the other. I put something against the end of the traveller to keep the cover from rubbing on it until I could get a grinder and round off the edges of the traveller…all better now.
The tarp version:
Canvas cover:
Mine took 6 months to make, and that was before the pandemic and supply chain issues…
Greg
We pull the wood on the companionway entry and hatch slides and replace them with pine for the winter. Our handrails were replaced with stainless steel, so they are no problem. Fiberglass/gel coat is not damaged by snow or ice. This approach has worked for at least 23 Lake Erie winters, and probably for the 22 before we bought the boat.
Another option would be a cover (over the boom?) to protect the handrails and companionway/hatch wood. Simpler, cheaper, and much easier to set up/take down than any kind of more complete cover.
Another option would be a cover (over the boom?) to protect the handrails and companionway/hatch wood. Simpler, cheaper, and much easier to set up/take down than any kind of more complete cover.
With regard to custom covers I think they have to end at the outside toerail/rail guard or go past the waterline. I think anywhere in-between will leave marks. When erecting the covers you have to make sure that the knots if any are on the bottom and not the gel coat. Same for the stitching on the bow or stern if that exists. You have to take care to not having the line line abrade the hull. In areas which a cover is needed high winds can be expected and with the wind vibrations of the whole cover. Well made covers have flaps to isolate knots and grommets so that those are not directly against the hull.
I never understood why my cover was designed to be supported by a frame higher than the boom, which was already pretty high. Getting the cover up and over the boom was a physical feat.
The nemesis of tarps is ponding of water which will enviably lead to leakage and failure of the cover. During boat ownership in the North I became pretty adept at make pole supports for covers. PVC pipe material, a tennis ball and a epoxied plywood base would do pretty well. Cut the pipe long and adjust on the boat.
I never understood why my cover was designed to be supported by a frame higher than the boom, which was already pretty high. Getting the cover up and over the boom was a physical feat.
The nemesis of tarps is ponding of water which will enviably lead to leakage and failure of the cover. During boat ownership in the North I became pretty adept at make pole supports for covers. PVC pipe material, a tennis ball and a epoxied plywood base would do pretty well. Cut the pipe long and adjust on the boat.
With my old H37C I used to tarp off the cockpit from the companionway back to the stern with a 10' x 12' poly tarp. The good quality ones would last a couple of winters. My current boat came with a custom cover - aluminum frame and synthetic canvas fitted cover - from The Top Shop in Kingston ON. It requires un-stepping the mast every fall, which is a drag, but it is a luxury to be able to work on projects every winter 'under the tent' and leaving all the hatches and ports open keeps things fresh down below.
