I am interested in purchasing a canvas winter storage cover for my Hunter 320. I would appreciate any information on sources for such covers.
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Canvas shops can make them for you.
Stuart: Several owners in our marina have full canvas covers for their boats. They are not cheap, but they are nice. You need to figure out if you want to be able to board the boat with the cover on or not. If you do, you will probably need it to go over the boom and have an entry point made for the cockpit. This make it nice so you do not need to remove the cover over the entire cockpit to get aboard. The ones in our harbor have sand bags attached around the edge to keep the cover from lifting too.
Stuart: Several owners in our marina have full canvas covers for their boats. They are not cheap, but they are nice. You need to figure out if you want to be able to board the boat with the cover on or not. If you do, you will probably need it to go over the boom and have an entry point made for the cockpit. This make it nice so you do not need to remove the cover over the entire cockpit to get aboard. The ones in our harbor have sand bags attached around the edge to keep the cover from lifting too.
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Rich Stidger
Here in the northeast...
I purchased a custom cover for my h40.5 from Fairclough Sails in Essex, CT. Very expensive, but worth the money to protect the investment. It is constructed in 2 pieces that zip together and it goes over a galvanized steel framework. It will fit the boat with the mast either in or out and the boat can be in the water or on the hard. Entrance is easy through two doors and the boom and dodger can stay on under the cover. Work can be done on the deck during the winter too. The cover goes down the topsides to about 6" off the water. The expected life is 10-15 years for the cover itself and forever for the frame if properly stored. I've used the cover for 4 years and it looks like new. Rich
I purchased a custom cover for my h40.5 from Fairclough Sails in Essex, CT. Very expensive, but worth the money to protect the investment. It is constructed in 2 pieces that zip together and it goes over a galvanized steel framework. It will fit the boat with the mast either in or out and the boat can be in the water or on the hard. Entrance is easy through two doors and the boom and dodger can stay on under the cover. Work can be done on the deck during the winter too. The cover goes down the topsides to about 6" off the water. The expected life is 10-15 years for the cover itself and forever for the frame if properly stored. I've used the cover for 4 years and it looks like new. Rich
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Steve
Mast Storage?
Stuart, I placed my mast on top of the boat for storage, between the arch and pulput, and left the spreaders on per B
Stuart, I placed my mast on top of the boat for storage, between the arch and pulput, and left the spreaders on per B
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Michael
Rich....
Is that your boat Dry-docked over in Newport? I noticed the cover and was talking with my father about how much we thought it costs...great cover. I don't think it would be economically feasible to put one of those covers on my h240, the $30 cover I bought at joblot seems to do the job for right now! By the way...I guess I should make sure my father gets all his spring prep work done as early as possible, so you can get in the water, that's his Beneteau 345 sitting right in front of you in the yard.
Is that your boat Dry-docked over in Newport? I noticed the cover and was talking with my father about how much we thought it costs...great cover. I don't think it would be economically feasible to put one of those covers on my h240, the $30 cover I bought at joblot seems to do the job for right now! By the way...I guess I should make sure my father gets all his spring prep work done as early as possible, so you can get in the water, that's his Beneteau 345 sitting right in front of you in the yard.
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Rich Stidger
Michael, not me in Newport...
I have my boat in the water at Noank, CT. I will haul for a week to paint, clean, wax, zinc change, etc in the spring. If you can really get a $40 cover to last the winter and are satisfied that the protection is adequate, then you are money ahead. My h40.5 cover cost me $3900 in the summer of 1998, and that reflected an off season price break. Even with a 15 year life, that is over $250/year cost. However, the cover fits great, covers down to the waterline, breathes for ventilation, and provides great protection. I believe getting the topsides out of the sun for the 5 month off-season will go a long way to keeping the finish pristine and push off the need to repaint for many additional years. BTW, it takes 2 people about 1 full day to install my frame and cover. Removal takes about half a day. If stored in the water, you need a dinghy to lace up the bow and stern. A real plus is that each year you don't have to re-invent the installation routine. The cover fits exactly the same as the prior year. Rich
I have my boat in the water at Noank, CT. I will haul for a week to paint, clean, wax, zinc change, etc in the spring. If you can really get a $40 cover to last the winter and are satisfied that the protection is adequate, then you are money ahead. My h40.5 cover cost me $3900 in the summer of 1998, and that reflected an off season price break. Even with a 15 year life, that is over $250/year cost. However, the cover fits great, covers down to the waterline, breathes for ventilation, and provides great protection. I believe getting the topsides out of the sun for the 5 month off-season will go a long way to keeping the finish pristine and push off the need to repaint for many additional years. BTW, it takes 2 people about 1 full day to install my frame and cover. Removal takes about half a day. If stored in the water, you need a dinghy to lace up the bow and stern. A real plus is that each year you don't have to re-invent the installation routine. The cover fits exactly the same as the prior year. Rich
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Larry and Carol Schroeder
Seriously considering...
getting one made for our 320 (this is our first year). We had ours shrink-wrapped with an access door in the stern so we can get aboard. The cost of a canvas cover would pay for itself in a few years, plus our canvas guy would store it for us for a very very minimal fee. We think it's important to cover it up----the year before we bought it, it sat at the dealer's uncovered, and we realized later that snow must have settled on the Lewmar porthole covers, moisture got into the seals, froze, and later we found the seals had cracked open on all the side portholes right near the latch at the bottom. This happened before we bought it, and they are being replaced, but it does point out a possible problem in not covering it up in cold climates.
getting one made for our 320 (this is our first year). We had ours shrink-wrapped with an access door in the stern so we can get aboard. The cost of a canvas cover would pay for itself in a few years, plus our canvas guy would store it for us for a very very minimal fee. We think it's important to cover it up----the year before we bought it, it sat at the dealer's uncovered, and we realized later that snow must have settled on the Lewmar porthole covers, moisture got into the seals, froze, and later we found the seals had cracked open on all the side portholes right near the latch at the bottom. This happened before we bought it, and they are being replaced, but it does point out a possible problem in not covering it up in cold climates.
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Doug
Canvas?
We had one made of canvas and a year later made our own. Remember that U.V. is the worst damage done to boat. Ironic that winter is the only time people protect their boats and that is the time of year when U.Vs are the least. Funny, huh? We bought heavy dute silver UV reflecting and water proof tarp material. We cut and sewed the tarp in three places using industrial velcro strips as a means of connecting and tarp ties (the kind that snap on without making holes in tarp) on the inside and shock cord with hooks that have the jam section in them for adjusting length. I have to say, it is the cleanest install I have seen on tarps at the marinas we have frequented. It goes on and off in about 15 minutes and keeps our boat both clean and protected year around. The key is to have it go just past the gunwhale (by about 4-6 inches) and we sewed a 7/16" old jib sheet line into the bottom hem in order to add weight for wind proofness as well as shape keeping. We don't get a dirty deck, we don't have UVs beating up our boat (gel coat, lexan or teak) and we don't get black stripes down our topsides as the cover (unlike most we see) goes past gunwhale instead of to top of stantions. I could post some pictures of the cover, it's attachment points and special customizations if it would be helpful to anybody. It also keeps the boat warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer as it is silver reflective 3 ply. We save alot of time with our other canvas that is no longer needed. This would include winch covers (still use for extended and winter), teak handrail covers on cabin top, lexan hatch covers, etc. We cut our wash and wax time per year by 75% or better as the boat is alway clean and protected from UV and weather. It has sustained 50-60 mph winds with no damage or without being blown off. I have to say I am quite proud of the cover we made and the way it looks. Doug
We had one made of canvas and a year later made our own. Remember that U.V. is the worst damage done to boat. Ironic that winter is the only time people protect their boats and that is the time of year when U.Vs are the least. Funny, huh? We bought heavy dute silver UV reflecting and water proof tarp material. We cut and sewed the tarp in three places using industrial velcro strips as a means of connecting and tarp ties (the kind that snap on without making holes in tarp) on the inside and shock cord with hooks that have the jam section in them for adjusting length. I have to say, it is the cleanest install I have seen on tarps at the marinas we have frequented. It goes on and off in about 15 minutes and keeps our boat both clean and protected year around. The key is to have it go just past the gunwhale (by about 4-6 inches) and we sewed a 7/16" old jib sheet line into the bottom hem in order to add weight for wind proofness as well as shape keeping. We don't get a dirty deck, we don't have UVs beating up our boat (gel coat, lexan or teak) and we don't get black stripes down our topsides as the cover (unlike most we see) goes past gunwhale instead of to top of stantions. I could post some pictures of the cover, it's attachment points and special customizations if it would be helpful to anybody. It also keeps the boat warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer as it is silver reflective 3 ply. We save alot of time with our other canvas that is no longer needed. This would include winch covers (still use for extended and winter), teak handrail covers on cabin top, lexan hatch covers, etc. We cut our wash and wax time per year by 75% or better as the boat is alway clean and protected from UV and weather. It has sustained 50-60 mph winds with no damage or without being blown off. I have to say I am quite proud of the cover we made and the way it looks. Doug
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Larry and Carol Schroeder
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hp
Where are you?
It makes a difference where you store the boat. If it's the Northeast or Midwest, I'm sure canvass is called for. But if you're in a more temperate climate, a sturdy set of two polys will do the trick, one from the mast forward and the other from the mast back to the stern. I recommend "Too-Tough" because it's much sturdier than the typical blue poly and will last an entire 12-month cycle for under $50. I cover the boat year-round, and it looks like new as a result. Birds, what birds? Bombs away.
It makes a difference where you store the boat. If it's the Northeast or Midwest, I'm sure canvass is called for. But if you're in a more temperate climate, a sturdy set of two polys will do the trick, one from the mast forward and the other from the mast back to the stern. I recommend "Too-Tough" because it's much sturdier than the typical blue poly and will last an entire 12-month cycle for under $50. I cover the boat year-round, and it looks like new as a result. Birds, what birds? Bombs away.
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Henry Garcia
Send me pics of the cover Doug
Doug, I'd love to see pics of the cover you made. Sounds great. I agree, UV damage and the inevitable leaks old boats have, can be greatly minimized by a good storage canvas. I'd love to know details of the material you used, sources, etc. I tried to find you on the owner's forum files for Olympia, WA, but I was unsuccessful. You can find me by my listing. Thanks.
Doug, I'd love to see pics of the cover you made. Sounds great. I agree, UV damage and the inevitable leaks old boats have, can be greatly minimized by a good storage canvas. I'd love to know details of the material you used, sources, etc. I tried to find you on the owner's forum files for Olympia, WA, but I was unsuccessful. You can find me by my listing. Thanks.
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