As a new owner, what should I plan for covering my H34 in the winter, in the yard. The shrink wrap seems to leave it so inaccessible. Do I need to cover it at all?
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C
Claude L.-Auger
Winter Cover
Some do, some don't. I do. I un-step the mast and install it on supports on the boat, with the spreaders angled down, thus creating almost a perfect boom tent. I have a 40 X 24 polyester cover which goes on it. About $200v and re-usable . Most importantly, it is accessable, using a ladder to get into cockpit. The boat does not get covered with a pile of snow and debris from trees etc. Stays cleaner and I also avoid possible accumulation of water when temp gets warmer then refreeze, possibly creating cracks, particlarly in cockpit area as the scuppers (too small on my 34) may not always be clear of debris to let water out. Check out what people in your area do and why. It's probably best to follow their experience.
Some do, some don't. I do. I un-step the mast and install it on supports on the boat, with the spreaders angled down, thus creating almost a perfect boom tent. I have a 40 X 24 polyester cover which goes on it. About $200v and re-usable . Most importantly, it is accessable, using a ladder to get into cockpit. The boat does not get covered with a pile of snow and debris from trees etc. Stays cleaner and I also avoid possible accumulation of water when temp gets warmer then refreeze, possibly creating cracks, particlarly in cockpit area as the scuppers (too small on my 34) may not always be clear of debris to let water out. Check out what people in your area do and why. It's probably best to follow their experience.
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Barry Olsen
Add a Door to your shrinkwrap using velcro
Keeps mother nature out and lets you in. Be sure it is well ventilated. Barry
Keeps mother nature out and lets you in. Be sure it is well ventilated. Barry
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Clyde Lichtenwalner
NY snow
Here in Maryland it seems that about half of the boats are covered and half are not. In NY, with a long, snowy, winter ahead, I would opt for a secure cover as discribed in the posts below. At the minimum, cover the companionway and cockpit. Drains have a habit of freezing and not allowing water to drain. Companionways on these boats leak, so be sure that is covered. The rest of the boat is less important, but may be saved with a good cover. I have seen many covers tear loose and flog the gelcoat for the whole winter causing more damage than if it had not been covered at all. Keep that in mind when you secure your boat. good lick.
Here in Maryland it seems that about half of the boats are covered and half are not. In NY, with a long, snowy, winter ahead, I would opt for a secure cover as discribed in the posts below. At the minimum, cover the companionway and cockpit. Drains have a habit of freezing and not allowing water to drain. Companionways on these boats leak, so be sure that is covered. The rest of the boat is less important, but may be saved with a good cover. I have seen many covers tear loose and flog the gelcoat for the whole winter causing more damage than if it had not been covered at all. Keep that in mind when you secure your boat. good lick.
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William Kirch
Winter covering
I have the same question. I will be leaving my mast up on a 1983 Hunter 34. What size tarps should be used. Should they just cover the deck or go over the lifelines. I would be interested in what you decide because I need to buy some tarps and get them put on. Thanks, Bill Kirch
I have the same question. I will be leaving my mast up on a 1983 Hunter 34. What size tarps should be used. Should they just cover the deck or go over the lifelines. I would be interested in what you decide because I need to buy some tarps and get them put on. Thanks, Bill Kirch
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Barry
Tarp Size (answer for Bill)
Before I went to shrink wrap I used two tarps. One was 20'x20' for the front and 30'x20' for the rear. Then I had to put cuts in them for the rigging. Hope you're not in a windy spot or the tarps may rip where the rigging cuts are. This is not a concern with shrink wrap because you can melt it back together after it's cut. I purchased (wholesale) a 20'x89' piece of shrink wrap for $80 - enough to do the boat twice. The key is getting your hands on a heat gun (propane fired, about 150K BTU) They are not cheap but well worth the investment. I've have the h34 for 7 years now and never covered it the same way twice. Before going to shrink wrap I sometimes would remove the lifeline stantions. Then the snow would easily slide off and the ridge pole would not have to be very high. Now I just remove the lines and wrap around the padded stantions. Barry
Before I went to shrink wrap I used two tarps. One was 20'x20' for the front and 30'x20' for the rear. Then I had to put cuts in them for the rigging. Hope you're not in a windy spot or the tarps may rip where the rigging cuts are. This is not a concern with shrink wrap because you can melt it back together after it's cut. I purchased (wholesale) a 20'x89' piece of shrink wrap for $80 - enough to do the boat twice. The key is getting your hands on a heat gun (propane fired, about 150K BTU) They are not cheap but well worth the investment. I've have the h34 for 7 years now and never covered it the same way twice. Before going to shrink wrap I sometimes would remove the lifeline stantions. Then the snow would easily slide off and the ridge pole would not have to be very high. Now I just remove the lines and wrap around the padded stantions. Barry
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Tim
I don't cover.
Take a walk around the boatyard. By November (i.e. before the storm season even starts), about 50% of the tarps are torn to pieces. By January, just about all of them are. Now go back in March or so; the few surviving tarps have generally chafed scratches into the gelcoat. Shrinkwarp works but its expensive (or a pain in the butt), traps moisture, makes access to the boat difficult, and is environmentally somewhat irresponsible. I rebed my hardware when it needs it and don't worry about it. Works for me so far (12 seasons on this boat.)
Take a walk around the boatyard. By November (i.e. before the storm season even starts), about 50% of the tarps are torn to pieces. By January, just about all of them are. Now go back in March or so; the few surviving tarps have generally chafed scratches into the gelcoat. Shrinkwarp works but its expensive (or a pain in the butt), traps moisture, makes access to the boat difficult, and is environmentally somewhat irresponsible. I rebed my hardware when it needs it and don't worry about it. Works for me so far (12 seasons on this boat.)
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Ed Schenck
Here's a "tweener", cover most of it.
I don't like the thought of snow and ice, then meltoff around the companionway or in the cockpit. I cover over the cabin and cockpit, tight around the coamings. I don't worry about the foredeck and sidedecks. I have used sandbags(one year) and lines under the hull. I have never had any ripping or flogging. I untie two lines and roll it back to get into the boat for checking and Winter/Spring tasks.
I don't like the thought of snow and ice, then meltoff around the companionway or in the cockpit. I cover over the cabin and cockpit, tight around the coamings. I don't worry about the foredeck and sidedecks. I have used sandbags(one year) and lines under the hull. I have never had any ripping or flogging. I untie two lines and roll it back to get into the boat for checking and Winter/Spring tasks.
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ken
boat cover
TOM I have a heavy duty custom made for the 34 hunter, this is mast up only . can be used in or out of water. Sold my 34 and now have 410. If interested let me know. KEN
TOM I have a heavy duty custom made for the 34 hunter, this is mast up only . can be used in or out of water. Sold my 34 and now have 410. If interested let me know. KEN
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John K Kudera
Custom Cover
My wife and I made a custom cockpit cover 11 years ago, to cover the cockpit only, I too was concerned with the melting and leaves in the drains. We used the snaps,fasteners,and tubing for the dodger, then ran the fabric over a simple PVC pipe support tied to the split backstay, and finally tied to the stern rail and cleats. It is open for ventalation, but closed to the bulk of snow and ice,works well for us in NJ. John K s/v 50/50 Forked River,NJ
My wife and I made a custom cockpit cover 11 years ago, to cover the cockpit only, I too was concerned with the melting and leaves in the drains. We used the snaps,fasteners,and tubing for the dodger, then ran the fabric over a simple PVC pipe support tied to the split backstay, and finally tied to the stern rail and cleats. It is open for ventalation, but closed to the bulk of snow and ice,works well for us in NJ. John K s/v 50/50 Forked River,NJ
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