Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

[Southtowns27]

This will be the first winter with my "new" boat. It's an '86 Wellcraft 260 Aft Cabin. Originally I was planning to have it shrink wrapped for the winter. Now, I'm starting to think I may be better off purchasing a semi-custom fit mooring cover. They run about $500 for a boat this size from what I've seen. Shrink wrapping is about 200, so after two years I'm ahead. My boat also spends a lot of time sitting in the yard on the trailer since I spend almost 8 months out of the year on my ship. It would be nice to keep the boat covered while I'm away, so there's another plus for the mooring cover. I have no issue removing the cover to trailer the boat.
What I'm wondering is, how do mooring covers hold up to snow and ice? How many years can I expect one to survive? Is one brand better than the others? There's a whole range of materials available, what should I be looking at?
Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

I like wrap for a boat that sits outside, as the wrap sheds snow far easier. I have an excellent cover but come winter I wrap the boat.
Plus covers take a real beating in the winter and your cover will last longer.

 

[jobofly]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

I am having this same debate in my head. I have a mooring cover but the guy I bought my boat off of used the cover and 2 tarps on top of it. Still not sure what I'm going to do.

 

[Another retired guy]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

If it's going to be stored outside, I'll vote for shrink wrap. Even custom covers aren't 100% weatherproof.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

Depends on the area-- I kept my 24'er covered when I lived in PA all summer. For the winter I rented at a storage facility. I backed it in and put out Decon just in case... clean at about $60 a month.

 

[Taxus812]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

Im making the same decision as you for our first boat. Im planning on supporting a semi custom cover the same way they do it for shrink wrap (2x4's and straps). then I plan to loosely cover that with a tarp (and lots of ventilation)

 

[airshot]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

For 500 bucks you are not getting a premium fitted cover. Keeping a cover taut is the trick for keeping water out and most general purpose covers make keeping taut very difficult to do. Shrink wrap is slippery and definetly waterproof so snow and such easily slide off.
You probably will not get more than 3 years from a 500 cover if left out over the winter and you will go to great lengths to make it taut and keep it that way. If my boat had to set out in the winter weather it would definetly get wrapped. I have a nice big barn to store mine so covers are not an issue, but I do know a quality, fitted cover will cost a lot more than 500.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

The snow in western NY will cave in a mooring cover about halfway through the first storm unless you brush it off hourly. You need a framework for a tarp that will have sides steep enough for the snow to slide off. Some silicone spray on the tarp might help with this.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

Shrink wrap it with vents. Make sure you know a person that knows how to do it. 7.50 a foot in MI.???

 

[lrak]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

If it was my boat in my yard, I go with a ShelterLogic round top 12' wide x 28' long x 10' high with 14.5oz tarp for the winter. Get everything but the trailer tongue "indoors" for about a decade for about $1500.

 

[Air Traffic]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

I have a 27 ft cruiser I store outside in Michigan winters, I keep the mooring cover on and have built a frame with wood and semi-rigid 1 1/2" hose that forms a arch over the boat then cover with tarps and anchor down to the cradle. Works well for me.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

I have to agree with, wrapping it , with vents. Vents, done right will not leak, and still let air move in and out.

 

[Mason78]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

I have to agree with, wrapping it , with vents. Vents, done right will not leak, and still let air move in and out.

I have even seen shrink wrap jobs that include a zippered door to maintain access.

 

[25thmustang]

Re: Boat cover vs. shrink wrap

Did shrink wrap last season and it held up well. Tried to remove it to reuse and it didn't go so well.

Bought a custom winter cover last spring. Plan to use it this year and see how it holds up.

A winter cover seems like a good idea, a mooring cover seems like it might only protect the cockpit area?