Winter cover

[bffatcat]

I have never covered my boat and fortunately never had any trouble. Last year I had my vintage Pearson 26W completely restored. The restorer suggested that I cover the boat which I did. I put a canvas tarp over the boom and tied it down. This lasted until the cover blew off, about a month. I am now in the market for a custom fitted cover and frame. Any Ideas
where I can get a custom fitted cover and frame?

 

[Ian McGain]

Do you have opening in your toe rail?
If you do- Go to Hunter Owner mods 30' 74-83 (older version) and you will find a way to cover your boat at a very affordable price and this will hold up to very strong winds, rain and snow.

Good luck

Ian

 

[joker460]

If you're a DIY try: http://www.koverklampframes.com/boat_cover_framing.html

 

[Rob2435]

http://www.fairclough.com/ bought one myself this year. Great service, great cover

 

[dscribner]

Fatcat,

I made my frame from PCV. I start with "ladders" that I tie to the toe rail and to the pulpit and pushpit, where the lifelines attach. They're made from 3/4" PVC and are about 20" tall (higher that the lifeline stantions). Next, I have cross members that are 3/4" PCV. On each end is a "tee" with the head of the tee cut in half so it will clip over the ladder section. They are sized to fit specific locations of the boat. So I clip one tee over a ladder section and tie (or duct tape) it in place. I bow it over the laid down mast and clip it over the ladder on the other side of the boat and secure it. I place these at about 24" on center. I tie a line at mid point of all cross members to help support the tarp when snow gets deep. Last, I tailored a compulsory blue tarp by measuring the boat width every 24" and tracing it out. I cut long strips at 30" wide from the sides of the tarp with the grommets. I sewed these to the piece that I shaped to fit the boat. Once secured with bungees, the cover will take 18" of snow with no problem. I think I spent about $100 on the whole thing and it will last about 5 years. It takes about an hour and a half to assemble and about 15 minutes to remove. Next summer, I'll buy some Sunbrella from Ebay and do it for real. I priced it once at about $175 for all the fabric I needed.

Don

 

[Sailavie1]

I purchased a winter cover from Kinder Industries and am very satisfied with the product. My cover is designed for mast up and boom out and fits like a glove. They are a bit costly but once you see the quality and detail that goes into making these covers it is worth it. I had a choice of building a shed or buying the cover and getting the cover was was the right decision.

 

[silverbeard]

We bought our boat cover from ShipShape Canvas. We observed the various attempts by others in our marina and decided that we liked the minimal framework required to support the cover, the ease of putting it on the boat and the quality of the cover. The idea of wrapping the boat with plastic and throwing the plastic away every year was abhorrent to us. This is the second year we've had the cover. It fits as tight as a drum head which means that snow slides off unless it is extremely wet and heavy.

http://www.shipshapecanvas.com/

 

[BobM]

Another Fairclough owner

I was psyched when my S2 came with a nealy new Fairclough boom tent style cover. The boat was from Milford CT and they are nearby in New Haven. I too didn't want to keep tossing out tarps and the cost of shrinkwrapping pays for one in short order.

It is likely easier to deploy the boom tent vs. a full cover, but they sell both. The only issue I have had with mine is that many of the rope tie downs, that secure to my slotted toe rail had to be replaced just from age after about 6 years. The cover itself is still going strong.

If I were to buy a new one, I may be tempted to look for one that goes over the toe rail. Mine ends a bit short of the toe rail, causing snow build up to be caught by the toe rail rather than being shed off the boat. Over the toe rail might alleviate that, but then you have to secure it some other way. If I didn't have a slotted toe rail I would surely look for one that covers more.

Just one more thought, since your boat is a classic Pearson. If you topsides are painted it may impact your decision to avoid shrinkwrapping, as it may hurt the paint from what I understand. A cover that stays above the toe rail may be preferable to reduce chaffing as well in that case.

 

[pogo2]

custom cover

for the first 3 years I owned my boat I made my own cover, it worked well. then I decided to have one made by a local canvas company that was making covers for most of the boats in the area. Best move I made in a long time, here are a few pics

 

[finding41]

The snow covers mine nicely. I didn't have to take my snow cover off. It just went away. (I'll post photos in the mod section when the snow comes back.)
A rolled piece of window screen in the drain and Ta Da!
If we would have had 3' of snow I would have got the shovel out to lessen the load. But I figure anyone not using my special snow cover would have got the shovel out to there was 3' on top of there boat too.

 

[Erich14716]

Winter Cover Manufacturer

for the first 3 years I owned my boat I made my own cover, it worked well. then I decided to have one made by a local canvas company that was making covers for most of the boats in the area. Best move I made in a long time, here are a few pics

Would it be possible for you to share the information of who made your cover. It looks great and I like the idea of covering the entire boat. I am getting ready to replace my cover as the material appears to be weakening.
Thank you