Do you keep a cover over your boat?

[rbryant1492_mfb]

I was working on my new project today and noticed something. I am so scared of floor rot that I had been keeping the floor covered. Well as I worked today I noticed the floor was damp under the cover. The other boat I have was uncovered and the floors were dry. I had not thought about it but the cover was keeping the carpet on the floors damp.

Looks like the cover needs to come off as soon as the rain ends so the sun can dry every thing out naturally.

 

[DufferJim]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Look at these:

http://www.iboats.com/Support_Poles....216555--view_id.216555--search_type.category

There's a few cover support poles that not only "tent" the cover for drainage but have vents to keep it dry underneath. They work pretty well from what I've seen, especially if the cover gets direct sunlight. It gets pretty warm under the cover, evaps the water, and lets the vapor out through the vent.

 

[redfury]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Most people make the mistake in thinking that all they need to do is cover to boat to keep it in good shape. You cannot have a cover that keeps the air and moisture locked into the boat ( you will always have some level of moisture in there. Heat and moisture are the leading cause to floor and transom rot.

Short term storage, a regular boat cover is fine as long as the boat is being used with some frequency if stored outside to allow some air to circulate and remove that moisture. Up in Minnesota ( and other places I'm sure ) we have shrink wrapping services for winter out door storage....white shrink wrap to keep down the amount of heat generated while sitting exposed to the sun.

 

[G-Daddy]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

In the off season, my boat sits in a garage. In season it sits on my campsite under an enclosed canopy.

 

[i386]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I keep it in the carport during boating season. In late October I'll scrub her down with Comet, put some Sea-Foam in the Gas, fog the engine and set it and all the gear (trolling motor, pfds, fish finder, dry box, ropes, etc...) in the basement. Then back the boat and trailer into the back yard and cover it with a green tarp and bungees. I did this last year and it was as clean as a whistle and the engine fired right up. I'll be due for a new set of tires and a new fire extinguisher next season. None of my neighbors have room to talk when it comes to tarps.

 

[Zetman]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

after coming back from the lake I air out my boat under a canopy. Then I cover the boat but I have large dryer vent tubing on all four coners to keep air circulating in the boat. The vent tubes go under the cover in the boat then hang out of the cover to vent,,very simply and works very well.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Anyone use the Atwood system with the straps & the pole? In the winter I use a tarp {boat stored outside} & snow is a real hassle when it builds up on the cover.

 

[chaparral442]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Zetman I like your idea could you post pics?

 

[CharlesW]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Anyone use the Atwood system with the straps & the pole? In the winter I use a tarp {boat stored outside} & snow is a real hassle when it builds up on the cover.

I don't remember whether the one I purchased was made by Attwood or Taylor, but it was not a good investment for me. The top spreader wouldn't handle the load at all.
The system I now use is home built from PVC tubing.
These links might get you pictures.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/CharlesEW/winter_cover_example_3.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a259/CharlesEW/winter_cover_example_2.jpg

 

[ebsworj]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I had a tarp on my boat last fall/winter and spring and I found a very soft spot on my floor this season. I believe the water was allready there but the tarp not breathing and heating uip the boat accleerated the rot. I am going back to a breathable boat cover even though i have a fishing boat with hard floors and no carpet.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I keep mine covered when outdoors, but I don't seal them up tight, I leave an end open so it can get some air so as not to create a hot house effect.
My two best boats stay inside a heated garage. I may get a large tent type of enclosure for my two outside, then I'll only have to toss a light cover over them to keep out dust.

 

[WaterWitch2]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I keep mine covered when outdoors, but I don't seal them up tight, I leave an end open so it can get some air so as not to create a hot house effect.
My two best boats stay inside a heated garage. I may get a large tent type of enclosure for my two outside, then I'll only have to toss a light cover over them to keep out dust.

A heated garage must be nice. I keep mine in my 700 sqft workshop in my backyard. I havent even insulated it yet (some day maybe). It gets down to around 9 deg in the winter and the shop isn't that much warmer but at least it's out of the rain and wind.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

where I live they have to be kept in the garage so I do, but would any way. I've seem too many rotted floors from boat improperly covered. Properly covered in the winter would be okay, but I would always worry the cover would rip or something else.

 

[paul2112]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Depending on the size of your boat, I (16' boat) use a home made tarp that works fantastic..We had an old walmart 18'dia softside pool. Instead of trashing it I cut the bottom out and used it Should be about 16'+dia then.. I made some arches out of electrical pvc conduit, laid the tarp over the boat ,trimmed to size, and instant heavy duty cover for less than 10 bucks. You can even install grommets in it to lash down or use tarp grips...Hope this helps

 

[jddenham]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I had one of the Walmart trailerable covers on my boat last winter. When I took it off the carpet had mold and fungus growing all over it. My boat had the bow up and drain plug out, but the cover was sealed too tight and didn't breathe enough. I think a well secured tarp would work better for long term storage. Whatever you use provide some ventilation. I like the idea with the dryer vents!

 

[Zetman]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?


I vent all four corners, open/lift up any seat or compartmant. I can tell enough air gets in when I can tell how dusty the inside gets. I rather have dust than mold. That is two covers on my boat, an old bed spread and then the heavy canvas cover. The canvas only sees the sun when I tow. The boat is a 1968 Arenacraft. The canvas was bought in 71' Never had mold and no rust or corosion. Boat is outside under a canopy all times.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I made a simple saw horse that sits in the boat. Cover the boat with a large tarp with bungies to the trailer frame. The saw horse makes a large tent shape so snow and rain run off. The bungies keep the cover tight enough that wind is not a problem, but loose enough front and rear that air circulates easily. Plus if I ever need to get into the boat, I can undo one or two bungies, and crawl into the boat and be able to walk around (like Groucho Marx) if need be. So far so good. No mold, no water, no pests.

 

[artherm]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I keep it in the carport during boating season. In late October I'll scrub her down with Comet, put some Sea-Foam in the Gas, fog the engine and set it and all the gear (trolling motor, pfds, fish finder, dry box, ropes, etc...) in the basement. Then back the boat and trailer into the back yard and cover it with a green tarp and bungees. I did this last year and it was as clean as a whistle and the engine fired right up. I'll be due for a new set of tires and a new fire extinguisher next season. None of my neighbors have room to talk when it comes to tarps.

I do about the same. I also take my small fishing engines to the basement. I have made pvc supports for my green/brown plastic tarps. This keeps a pitch to keep rain from puddling. I sweep snow off with push broom. Works great.

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I cover my boat anytime it's not going to be in use that day. I'm a stickler about my boat looking brand new even though it's a 12 year old Skeeter. If my boat isn't on the way to the lake, back from the lake, or in maintenance I always have the cover on unless I had a weekend of skiing at the lake, and it has some water sitting on the carpet. Then I will let it sit without a cover until the next evening.

I don't have to worry too much about my cover sagging since it is a custom made cover for my boat. I had it made by a man that makes them for all of the racers up in Madison, IN. I did however add a good coat of waterproofing solution to the seams recently. You can get it in the camping section at Wal-Mart, and it comes in several forms. One form is a 4 oz. bottle called Seam Sealer 3, or you can get the spray can in another brand. I like the Seam Sealer 3 since I can control the output.

 

[Big Keepers]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I absolutely cover my boat. I don't like to clean it twice for no reason.