Camper top up for the winter?

[Druff1]

Anyone leave there camper tops up for the winter and tarp the hole boat? Was thinking about trying it this winter on my 25' Crownline.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Camper top up for the winter?

in my hood. i would be concerned about the snow load that the soft top will get.. heck, i have a hard top which can be removed, though i've not done it as it don't look real easy to handle. i'm concerned enough about the snow load that i don't let much more than a few inches of snow accumulate before i'm out there with my broom brushing it off. if i had a camper soft top. i personally would leave it removed..

 

[Mohawkmtrs]

Re: Camper top up for the winter?

I agree with Ziggy concerning the snow load. Another thing to be concerned about is the tarp will shift in the wind causing it to possibly rub and wear the sunbrella at the frame.

If you don't want to replace the camper top material (and maybe the frame) next year, take it down and put it away.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Camper top up for the winter?

I guess it depends on how much snow you get. Here, we have had 36 inches in a day, 62 inches in 3 days. I wouldn't trust it could handle the snowload. My vote would be fore leaving it down, and building a structure to put the tarp over. One less thing to worry about.

 

[tkrfxr]

Re: Camper top up for the winter?

I would tarp, if my boat was smaller....would save a lot of work....

The concern is buildup of ice after the snow melts...then freezing again... the weight on the tarp would be too much...


I recommend building a small center frame, high enough to slope down in such a way to let the snow or ice fall right overboard....

This is what I do for my shrinkwrap...I re-use the frame for four winters... made of HomeDepot lumber and bolts...

 

[Druff1]

Re: Camper top up for the winter?

Thanks for the comments guys... I will not be leaving my top up this winter. Just wanted to get other opinoins.. Probably build something like TKRFXR did..