18 ft Bow rider storage during winter, worth shrink wrapping?

striker1211

striker1211

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
43
It is that time of year and I never realized how sad fall can be until I bought my boat. I have to get her all ready for storage in a harsh michigan winter. I am already on track to change out lower unit oil, drain gas as much as I can, and flush the outboard with antifreeze. If I am forgetting anything please feel free to shout some tips. I am currently trying to figure out how to keep spiders from building the webs they do in a few days.

Anyways, a friend's dad owns a shrink wrapping shop and will do it for $200, this year only in exchange for some tech work on top of that. The realization I am coming to is that if I were to spend $400 a year I might as well pay for a quality boat cover and not set up the "habit" of shrink wrapping. I see some quality boat covers on iboats for under $500 but they don't look to have the steep grade that is needed for winters in Michigan.

Are there any other northern people on here that can chime in? I don't mind spending up to $1000 for something that will last the practical life of the boat being in my possession which I feel is about 10 years. Plus, I know if I buy a good cover it will help the resale of the boat. Thanks.
 
oldjeep

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: 18 ft Bow rider storage during winter, worth shrink wrapping?

If you are storing it outside then I would shrink wrap it. However I wouldn't store it outside ;)
 
M

moosehead

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 29, 2012
Messages
437
Re: 18 ft Bow rider storage during winter, worth shrink wrapping?

^Agree with OJ.

Boat covers with one or two poles at the bow and main cabin cannot stand up to the weight of sticky, drifting, wet, melting snow so most all will form pools throughout the season which both wreck the cover and leave snowmelt in your boat.

If it absolutely has to stay outside then a tented shrinkwrap is your best bet. The tent will be high enough to provide enough slope for snow to shed and it is slicker in general so snow won't stick as much as it would to Sunbrella/Sharkskin/etc.
 
A

Another retired guy

Ensign
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
940
Re: 18 ft Bow rider storage during winter, worth shrink wrapping?

I don't think a regular boat cover will have the necessary pitch to shed snow. I'm further north than you and MY boat is shrink wrapped and stored outside - but I see lots of neighbors who store their boats in their driveways with a home made cover consisting of a wooden frame and tarps.
 
26aftcab454

26aftcab454

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 12, 2009
Messages
1,510
Re: 18 ft Bow rider storage during winter, worth shrink wrapping?

unless you completely drain the fuel tank, lines, carb float bowls, your better off adding fuel stabilizer to a FULL tank and run for ten minutes to have treated fuel through out the fuel system. The more fuel the more water it can absorb( and it will burn off with out issue ) , less chance for condensation.
too little fuel you could have a higher ratio of water vs. gas.
 
R

ricohman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
1,631
Re: 18 ft Bow rider storage during winter, worth shrink wrapping?

I pay less than $200 for my 22.5 ft Islander, which is tall compared to your boat. And I don't have to do any extra work.
Maybe you are paying double what it should cost?
 
etracer68

etracer68

Ensign
Joined
Oct 11, 2009
Messages
906
Re: 18 ft Bow rider storage during winter, worth shrink wrapping?

The spiders, are always going to be a problem. Under bow cushons, and in storage areas. I have used a mix of bleach, and water, about 10to15% beach, and sparyed those areas, also I have used the home protection spray, it seems to work also. You will never get get 100% of them, but can get them in check.

As far as a cover, for outside, you will have to make up a A Frame type frame to hold the cover up. You bulid it in, or on the decks. I have used 4" pvc for the back bone, and screwed it together. I remember the days when my dad had his 32,38foot boats, and a weekend would getting the frame up, and covered. Then another weekend draining and flushing all the systems. These were 32ft 1957 Chris Commander, and a early 60s 38ft Chris Tri Cab, Yup these were all wood boats. Some winters, we bulit sheds, and heated them, so we could do all the bright wood. Paint striper still on your fingers, and then taking a leak, WOW wheres the water!!!
 
oldjeep

oldjeep

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2010
Messages
6,455
Re: 18 ft Bow rider storage during winter, worth shrink wrapping?

Around here it is around $10 a foot for mobile shrink wrapping.
 
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