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Winter Storage Covers

8K views 32 replies 21 participants last post by  Hesper 
#1 ·
Well as the title said Winter Storage covers.

What are the options for covers.
What do other members use.?

Any Pictures ...and anybody made there own..
Very intrested to see some.

Robert
 
#2 · (Edited)
I use the heavy, silver poly tarps. One is long enough to cover the aft end from the mast to over the rail and the other the bows. A straight 2X4 lashed to the boom to a prop astern and the same along the centerline to the pulpit. The tarps are just wide enough to make it to the toe rail or a little bit more. A friend put me on to the use of those yellow button type attachment point usually found at Harbor Freight. Just snap together wherever ya need a tie point and there ya go! :D. Inexpensive 1/4" nylon to tie to a bridle surrounding the keel and a few cheap ratchet straps to support like rafters from one side, over the boom/2X to the other. I simply draw the tarps around the mast and tie off so they lap enough to keep [most of the] water out.

This was the first winter for me; buy my buddy gets three or four years out of his tarps. For approx. $100, I get three years protection vs as much as $1000/yr to shrink wrap (estimate based on per foot cost for other boats polled). The blue poly tarps are not worth the trouble/cost as tey do not last a full season. Other than one or two hi-end PBs at my yard, I'm the only one covered. A sad state of brightwork and gel-coat abounds!

There's a certain pleasure associated with the Grand Spring uncovering. :D
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5bjwkhyamw47476/0319dnld%20192.jpg
 
#3 ·
Sorry, no pic. I use the heavy poly Hay tarps. I buy a 20' x 60' for $200 and they hold up well as long as i use foam pipe wrap and carpet padding where ever it may contact any kind of sharp edges. Thats the secret. Cover all kinds of edges. The wind will kill a tarp.
My mast is stored in a rack i built 5' above deck; this way i can drape the tarp like a big tent and tie it up tight. I do leave room for ventilation up front and have access in the back for access so i can do my routine work.

Super Sunshield Hay Tarps for Extreme Protection

I didn't buy from this place. Some hay tarps are better than others i have discovered.
 
#5 ·
I have a cover from Fairclough (fairclough.com). They're not cheap but they're extremely well made.

The original owner bought the cover in '95 and it's still in very good condition. I've seen a lot of shredded tarps after a good wind storm.

 
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#6 ·
I have a cover similar to the one in JimMcgee's photo above. Very happy with it.

Even happier because I found mine used. It had only been used a couple of seasons and was made for a similar boat. Fits almost perfect and it cost me about a third of the price of a new one.

The previous owner had upgraded to the full enclosure made by the same company.

They wear like iron and can easily be repaired if some stitching does start to go. Much easier to secure than the old tarps I used in the past.
 
#7 ·
The first winter I covered "Rockhopper" with two tarps, one fore of the mast and one aft over the boom. Well, the one over the boom started to buckle in with the weight of snow. Water was the funnelled by the tarp (aka giant watercatcher) straight onto the cockpit from where it then made its way into the cabin, running into the aft berth. At the end I had a horrible stinky mess all over. :puke

Not used a cover since. I might one day get a cover that properly fits the boat or better a proper shelter, but they are big bucks !

Boat Shelter Titanium 3,5 x 10 x 3,5 x 4,5. Strong boat shelter for sale. Boat shelters PVC. - Dancovershop UK
 
#8 ·
I have a tent but only while it is being done up.

Well some sort of makeshift scaffolding with a few sides of old lorries curtain sides thrown over it.
But I am open to any sugestions on winter time covers. for next year..
Thanks everybody for the posts so far
Robert
 
#10 ·
FinallySailing;

That's why I put four ratchet straps under the tarp at assumed load positions. These were to prevent sag at strategic points *IF* snow loads became too great. Another point is to see to it that the hull is bow-high to keep water drained to the scuppers.
HTH,

Oh yes! A barn *is* nice...if ya have one handy ;) I've looked at the "portable garages" like the tent and frame that FS linked. Waaay too much $$ for the expected coverage... even on our side of the pond... and then there's the issue of permission and mounting!?

Paul
 
#11 ·
Paul, great idea with the ratchet straps ! I might just dare to cover my boat up once again :) .
 
#16 ·
I'm looking at making my own. Not looking at getting Sailrite's video but I did get one of their machines.

Full cover.
Custom made, about 3k
That looks about the color I'm looking at making my hatch/mailsail covers. Looks a lot like what I was planning for my own cover. Looks good. I need something to protect the wood on my boat.
 
#14 · (Edited)
I can get my winter cover and all its supports into the trunk of my old Saab. That wasn't always the case.:eek: I use a 30X20 white poly tarp. The white tarp lets a lot of light in. I shock cord all grommets. I use pipe insulation on hard spots. The ridge is a piece of 1/4" Amsteel that runs from the bow chain plate, over the end of one of my spreaders that sits just aft of the anchor locker hatch (both spreaders are off the mast and the mast is on a rack off the boat). The spreaders are "mounted to 6x6 with a 2x8 base using pipe clamps. The other spreader is centered at the stern rail. I have a strong,4 bolt,well backed, pad eye on the cockpit coaming, centered. It provides the purchase for the back stay adjuster. A third support is a piece of 1" sch. 40 aluminum pipe with a pvc T sitting on it that is aft of the mast step. It is also supported by a 6x6. The Amsteel runs through the T, back over the end of the other spreader, through the pad eye and to a sheet winch. When I tighten the Amsteel using the winch it gets quite taught. I played with the height of the middle pipe to give me enough space in the cockpit under the tarp. This winter has been a good test and it has served just the way I had hoped. No frames, no shrink wrap. I have other boats I cover and buy shock cord by the spool. 3 pieces of 6x6, a tarp, a 40' piece of 1/4" Amsteel and a 5' section of aluminum pipe. A small bag of foam and it all goes into the trunk.





Down
 
#18 ·
I used two tarps. Little hard to see the whole setup in the picture below, but that's all I got. I put these on last fall and through 80+ inches of snow this season, a few large wind events, it looks the same as it did when I first them them on. Plus, plenty of airflow going through.

 
#20 ·
I don't know if this will help you in the UK, but I made a frame using metal electrical conduit. You can find the ridge pole fittings on the web to provide for the athwartship braces. I went with white "Ultra Kover" material which was fabricated to exactly my size specifications. This cover has survived 4 winters in Maine, and the cost was very reasonable (here again - cost in US). To secure the cover, I used the "Kover Klips" from the same source. These clips function on a dovetail principle, and they are fabulous!

Here is the link: Kover Klamps - Kover Klip Video

No connection to this company - just a satisfied customer. Oh - and I can't stand shrink wrap - it is an ecological disaster, and it only gets used once!
 
#21 ·
Adding Kanberra Gel in the boat when you close her up for the winter will make a big difference in the spring whatever cover you use.

I put it out in the v-berth, head and salon and there's virtually no boat smells.

There's a long SailNet thread on the stuff here. I just know it works (and is much cheaper when you buy re-fills).

FWIW.
 
#22 ·
Made a ridge pole out of 4" PVC that runs the length of my 30 foot boat, about 3 feet above cabin top. Legs and bases made of PVC fittings. 20x40 white poly tarp is spread out evenly. Got it online and still serviceable after 6 years, getting to end of its life though. Along the long edge of tarp I built a bunch of blocks out of plywood with large hole drilled through. Screwed these to a backing block of wood evenly along edge. Then just crisscross under the boat, the blocks let me pull the tarp pretty tight. These are a lot stronger than grommets and have never pulled out even pulling tight.

Has made it through many Maine winter storms and is steep enough it nearly sheds all snow on its own. Also rigged in such a way there are very large openings fore and aft for ventilation and access. Mast is stored on deck in a custom cradle nearly entirely inside cover. Cheap and has worked very well. I have found the ridge pole does not need to be tied down or supported, a tightly pulled cover holds it in place.
 
#23 ·
For years I used tarp over a pvc pipe frame on one of my boats. I quickly learned that you are lucky to get a season without ripping in winter storms in the NE. I switched to the silver tarps, which lasted much longer--enough to justify the added cost. It is essential to make sure the tarp is tightly tied so it doesn't flap--and that means establishing multiple tie points where there are no grommets.

Eventually, we migrated to a fitted cover made by a local canvas shop. It uses electrical conduit for the framework and is held together with KoverKlamps, useing the neoprene protective pads at the hard points. The polyester canvas (sunbrella or equivalent) cover shown is in its 16th year, but it is tired, has a number of minor patches, is threadbare is some places and is no longer fully waterproof. I was told to expect 10 years, so I can't complain.



When I replace it I will use the treated cotton canvas, like Fairclough uses. I have this material on a power boat and it conforms (shrinks) to the frame, whereas the polyester canvas is a looser fit and therefore can work in a breeze, resulting in chafe to the point of wearing the canvas and "sanding" the zinc coating on the conduit. The rusty conduit then acts like sandpaper to hasten the wear on the canvas. You need to stay on top of this.
 
#24 ·
The issue with the cloth covers in the North East USA, is that snow can accumulate on them, and lead to other issues. Last year in the North East it would not have been a problem, however this year it would have been.

I reluctantly shelled out the $1250 (this year) to marina, to have it done. Next year, if I can't convince the wife to spend the winter in Florida, I will probably use the silver tarp method described above.

If my boat were anyware south of where more than 6" of snow can fall, I would invest in a Fairclough cover.
 
#25 ·
The issue with the cloth covers in the North East USA, is that snow can accumulate on them, and lead to other issues. Last year in the North East it would not have been a problem, however this year it would have been.

If my boat were anyware south of where more than 6" of snow can fall, I would invest in a Fairclough cover.
A heavy, wet snow is a problem for any kind of cover. That said, I have two boats with fitted covers over electrical conduit frames. They were made by a local canvas shop.

The polyester canvas cover is 16 years old and survived the 2' snowfall during the Northeaster blizzard this year. That was the worst snowfall here in southern NE that I've experienced in my long memory with respect to weight and difficulty in removal. My 12-13 yr old cotton canvas (same as used by Fairclough) also survived.

Any replacements will be by--or equivalent to--Fairclough, using the treated cotton canvas. I will make sure the slope on the framework is appropriate to shed most of the precipitation, but you can't prevent the wet snow from accumulating and forming pockets in the canvas, so you need to make sure the framework is up to the task. So far, my conduit frames have held up under some trying circumstances. This system works if executed competently.
 
#26 ·
#30 · (Edited)
Nice! That is a substantial cover. It looks good. You are correct about the height for shedding snow. The high peak I have with an Amsteel ridge line has done a superb job this year for me. It has been through serious wind loads and near record snow fall here on Mount Desert Island. With 1/4" shock cord laced under the hull and foam pipe T insulation on the tops if the stanchions there was, even and adjustable, tension on the poly tarp. Not too tight!:D The pitch combined with the wind shed snow well. It was an experiment. It went on quickly. I cover it by myself. I wanted to get rid of all the "stuff" I used to store and manage for covering the boat. The "old" ridge and frame are history. I tied each of the 3 vertical supports to opposite stanchions to prevent them from shifting sideways. We had several storms with gale force winds and hurricane force gusts. I have decided the experiment worked. It was inexpensive, to boot! I can expect at least three years from the tarp @ $50.00. Using shock cord on every grommet preserves them. I do love Amsteel. ;)

Down
 
#32 ·
My boat winters in the water. The first winter I used heavy duty tarps and all... not the best solution. AT the boat show we saw boat covers... and bought from one that hit all the right notes: durable stitching, functional features, robust zippers, easy access from port or stbd, and unbeatable warranty.

After two winters the cover is paid for in shrink wrap dollars, works beautiful. Yeah, the cover is worth more than the hull it protects, but never mind that. Ours is the economical toe rail cover, there has been no need to anchor with ballasted jugs over the side or tie under the hull (harder with our twin keeler). Catch them at a boat show, get the show discount, and you'll have a new cover for next season. I see no reason why this won't last a solid ten or more years.
 
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