cover or tarp

[bpmcl00]

so i have been looking into winterizing options and i have decided on either a standard silver tarp, or a generic boat cover from walmart. only about a 20 dollar difference . Please give me your opinion on which one you would prefer. i just got the boat 2 weeks ago so please bare with me. im still a newbie in trial and error

here is a link to the boat cover

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=2508683

 

[scipper77]

Re: cover or tarp

Not trying to be a smart *****, but I put a tarp over my cover. I would never do just one or the other.

You definitely want a tarp.

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: cover or tarp

yes this is what i was thinking. buying the cover and then throwing the tarp over it for added protection. i figure this will be my best bet

 

[dingbat]

Re: cover or tarp

Not sure what a cheap cover buys you if you have to put a tarp on it to protect it.

Might as well spend the money on a good, heavy tarp and be done with it.

 

[109jb]

Re: cover or tarp

Not sure what a cheap cover buys you if you have to put a tarp on it to protect it.

Might as well spend the money on a good, heavy tarp and be done with it.

I use a cover AND a tarp because of snow. The blue tarp sheds snow better than the boat cover, but the boat cover seals the perimeter of the boat better.

 

[sharps45]

Re: cover or tarp

Definately both. I once pulled the tarp off my boat in the spring to find a cat had got in there and died during the winter. I had to replace a seat and carpeting! The cover keeps things out, and the tarp keeps things off.

 

[scipper77]

Re: cover or tarp

Most boat covers are designed to breath a little while still being waterproof. This is kind of like a tent where you may need to apply a waterproofer from time to time to maintain the water repellent feature. This is why you definitely want a tarp over your cover for winter storage.

I don't know if you ever see snow down there so (I'm guessing not likely) so maybe the same rules don't apply in GA as in NY, but if you love your boat I am telling you you definitely want both. If any moisture finds its way under your cover you will have damp/wet floors for months straight. This will rapidly lead to a rotted floor and transom. For the extra $30 just buy both.

 

[Maclin]

Re: cover or tarp

Most boat covers are designed to breath a little while still being waterproof. This is kind of like a tent where you may need to apply a waterproofer from time to time to maintain the water repellent feature. This is why you definitely want a tarp over your cover for winter storage.

I don't know if you ever see snow down there so (I'm guessing not likely) so maybe the same rules don't apply in GA as in NY, but if you love your boat I am telling you you definitely want both. If any moisture finds its way under your cover you will have damp/wet floors for months straight. This will rapidly lead to a rotted floor and transom. For the extra $30 just buy both.

What he said....

 

[Backyardhockey]

Re: cover or tarp

Yep, both. I build a frame over the cover. Tarp over the frame. Air in between. If I wasn't a techno idiot I'd post a pic. Maybe someday I'll pry my 12 y/o away from his ps2, wi, ipod, phone, mac and have him take a pic. I wouldn't count on it though.

 

[nlain]

Re: cover or tarp

I am in SE Ga, just below Savannah, I use a blue tarp from Harbor Freight, I put 2 vents in the tarp to let moisture out so no mildew when I uncover later. I do a little woodworking so I made a stand that sets in front of the rear seat, screw eyes in each corner with a line to the rear cleats and a line to the front cleats to help support tarp. See photo. Vents a place at the high points of the tarp, one at windshield and one at the stand.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: cover or tarp

when i found out how much it would cost to replace my custom cover i will be getting one of the 11 mill white tarps for $85 or so to protecet it from the sun and wind.
as all ready stated, the tarp wont fit and seal as well as the cover, but will go most of the way around the bottom of the boat

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: cover or tarp

I am in SE Ga, just below Savannah, I use a blue tarp from Harbor Freight, I put 2 vents in the tarp to let moisture out so no mildew when I uncover later. I do a little woodworking so I made a stand that sets in front of the rear seat, screw eyes in each corner with a line to the rear cleats and a line to the front cleats to help support tarp. See photo. Vents a place at the high points of the tarp, one at windshield and one at the stand.

very nice. i was talking to a person and he said one or the other given that the boat needs top be able to breath, and if i put both on i will suffocate the boat trapping moisture in it.

 

[Mark42]

Re: cover or tarp

You would be hard pressed to get a tarp so tight that there is no air circulation. Go with a good 11 mil tarp. I was just looking at my blue Home Depot tarp today, and upon close inspection I can see where the weave has separated and water can leak throught it. The tarp is only 2 years old and for 1 year the boat was in the garage without the tarp on it.

Buy a good tarp and some of the tarp clamps so you can put the bungies where you want them. Another "trick" is to tie string to one side of the tarp and bring the string under the boat/trailer and tie a loop in the end. Then use a short bungie to connect the string to the other side of the tarp. That way just small and one size bungies are needed. I find this easier than trying to get the right length bungie to go from tarp to trailer frame, and deal with various length bungies.

 

[nlain]

Re: cover or tarp

You do get some air under the tarp but without the vents and our humidity here the moisture stays under the tarp and the mildew starts. I have done it both ways and I now use the vents and no mildew. I have seen the tarp somewhat lifted when the wind was blowing in across the marsh from the back, not sure how the wind got under to lift the tarp the way it did.

 

[kandil]

Re: cover or tarp

I use a cover called cover it they are very nice and you can work on the boat in the cold wether I will post a photo of mine later check this out http://www.sheltersofnewengland.com/

 

[reelfishin]

Re: cover or tarp

Be careful, some of those cheapie blue tarps have steel grommets which are only plated to look like brass. They will rust and leave stains on your boat if your not careful. The blue tarps are cheap but don't last long at all, and forget it if you get some wind or have trees dropping branches.

I like to use PVC pipe to make a tent like fixture to hold up the tarp, the higher you get it in the center, the longer the tarp will last.
Use foam pipe insulation on all sharp edges like the windshield frame, tarp support etc.

Even a blue tarp will last a few years if it's put on over top of a tall support. Rain, snow, leaves, etc. won't get a chance to stay on top and stretch or tear the tarp.

I usually lace a drawstring through all of the tarp eyelets, and even add a few extra grommets, tightening the drawstring makes it impossible for the tarp to blow off the boat. I also like those plastic tarp clamps.

The hard part is finding a tarp that fits your boat, they all seem to make such odd sizes.

 

[kandil]

Re: cover or tarp

This are the photos

 

[rolmops]

Re: cover or tarp

You do get some air under the tarp but without the vents and our humidity here the moisture stays under the tarp and the mildew starts. I have done it both ways and I now use the vents and no mildew. I have seen the tarp somewhat lifted when the wind was blowing in across the marsh from the back, not sure how the wind got under to lift the tarp the way it did.

The wind did not get under your tarp.The difference in air pressure (higher under your tarp)caused the tarp to lift up (swell)

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: cover or tarp

I put a 6' stepladder in the middle of my 19' Bayliner to provide some
supporting framework for the cover.

And I use a tarp over the boat cover for added protection in the winter.
For the boating season, I just use the boat cover.
My cover is a real nice one I bought from iboats.com when they had
the special sale on covers. Keep on the lookout for it, great deals!

 

[bpmcl00]

Re: cover or tarp

I put a 6' stepladder in the middle of my 19' Bayliner to provide some
supporting framework for the cover.

And I use a tarp over the boat cover for added protection in the winter.
For the boating season, I just use the boat cover.
My cover is a real nice one I bought from iboats.com when they had
the special sale on covers. Keep on the lookout for it, great deals!

agreed. my plan is to get a generic cover from walmart, and also use a blue tarp on top for the added protection