Do you keep a cover over your boat?

[dgopetactical]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

During the boating season I keep my boat covered but I do get condensation and dampness from the rain does work through. I keep a old box fan in the boat hooked to a extention cord on a household timer the fan comes on for a hour or two a day to dry things out. In the winter I cover the open part of the boat with a blue tarp then put my boat cover over it with cover poles to prevent puddleing. I keep the fan in the boat over the winter also.

 

[Wishin I was Fishin]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Since I built myself a new detached garage, I made it extra looong (24'x40'), so I could not only house my truck but also my boat and also made a nice office/poker room/hobby room (24'x12')
The ultimate hideaway complete with couch and mini frig.
Also the only place I get to hang the bear rug and other "trophies" on the wall.....

 

[Apathetic]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Bow up, cover on. I take the cover off for a few hours periodically every week to let lots of air in, too.

 

[seven up]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Yes I keep a cover over my boat. On the sides and stern there are push-outs I call them. Similar to a 2x4 door frame with a section at the top built to push the boat cover away from the deck/hull joint and allow air circulation. At the bow there are pool noodles from the dollar store cut in sections with scrap rope through the hole and tied to the cover support frame. The noodles tend to shift in a good wind.

 

[Big Keepers]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Since I built myself a new detached garage, I made it extra looong (24'x40'), so I could not only house my truck but also my boat and also made a nice office/poker room/hobby room (24'x12')
The ultimate hideaway complete with couch and mini frig.
Also the only place I get to hang the bear rug and other "trophies" on the wall.....

You're my idol. Is there room in it for a cot? I can fix boats, I love to hunt and fish and will work for beer.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

My 20 year old 23'er sits out in the sun with the top & doger up but no cover. The canvas is 14 years old & still good - seams have to be resewn every 3-4 years though. No rot.

 

[murraygw]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

if I can keep this boat and fix the insides I will keep a cover for sure . That is if its worth 5 thousand. I am oing to figure out what it will take to fix it.

 

[shipoffools]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

During the season I use a short tarp that just covers the helm and seats. It keeps the rain and sun off the electronics and upholstery. In the winter it goes under a bigger tarp that extends far enogh beyond the bow and stern that it can be left open at the ends to let a little air get through.

 

[Gregk]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I keep mine covered for the most part. I'll keep it off a few days (it's off right now) here and there if there's no rain in the forecast.

I use this support and vent system and have had no problems with moister.

One thing I don't do is let snow sit on it. I'll be out there 3 or 4 time brushing it off during any given snow storm.

 

[escapade]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I just bought the wal-mart tailerable cover for my boat and i have a few plans for it, i'm using vents mounted to the side of the boat with fans attached to the vents to keep air flowing, and i'm currently working on a frame to keep the water from puddleing

 

[Marcq]

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.

I do the same, but don't need a saw horse since it's a center console, It's like a tent once the tarp is on, I can even do some work in it with the tarp on, lots of air inside but I like the idea of adding tube vents

Marc..

 

[Marcq]

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.

I do the same, but don't need a saw horse since it's a center console, It's like a tent once the tarp is on, I can even do some work in it with the tarp on, lots of air inside but I like the idea of adding tube vents

Marc..

 

[sbklf]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I wondered why my neighbor let his new boat sit outside without a cover. Turns out, when the cover is on, cats get under it and sharpen their claws on his upholstery. They also eat birds in there and leave quite a mess.

 

[wire2]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

There's a boat upholstery shop near my cottage that advertises raintight but breathable fabric.

I was skeptical, but she guaranteed it.
I had her make me a custom full cover, (wanted to keep the sun off the metal flake upper deck).

Sure enough, when rain hits it, it seals, not even a drip inside at a seam.

And after some skiing or swimming, the carpet is all wet.
I put the cover on, the next day the sun warms it, I remove the cover, bone dry. It evaporates right through the fabric.

 

[jddenham]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I just bought the wal-mart tailerable cover for my boat and i have a few plans for it, i'm using vents mounted to the side of the boat with fans attached to the vents to keep air flowing, and i'm currently working on a frame to keep the water from puddleing

I got the walmart one too. It leaks if there's standing water, and over the winter it allowed lot of mold and fungus to grow in the back of the boat.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I cover mine if i think its going to rain. If its not raining i leave it open. Fall is coming up so ill mount a tarp to keep the leaves and pine needles off it and when its winter ill move it to my parrents garauge so i can paint it this winter. I like it to stay dry. If i leave the cover on it whyle its warm and sunny i know that all the moisture thats in there will rot eventually so i do not cover it most of the time. If im going to work and there is a chance of rain ill cover it. If im at work and it rains and its not covered it does not break my heart. Ill generally go home cover it and plug in the dehumidifier inside there with a fan on also. If im in bed and it starts raining ill go out there and cover it even if its 4 in the morning.

 

[IOSLVR]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Some say they cover their boat and have no humidity effect and some say they do. It seems as though it matters if the fabric breathes or not. Is that the deciding factor or is there more to it?

 

[mymako21]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Boat covers have there place but unless you let some air get in you can cause more trouble then they are worth, mold, canvas, rust, cushion damage. I vented all my storage areas, anyplace I put anything I made some vents, PVC pipe, with end cap, drilled holes in the bottom of the cap to let air in and out. Used some store bought vents as well, you can get vented canvas covers online, check out www.allboatingfishingstuff.com just a huge list of manufacturers to check out there products, see anything you like find a retailer that sells the stuff.

 

[tjl76evinrude]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

if its going to be a few days before i use the boat again i cover it. mainly because it stays in the back yard under trees and i HATE having piles of leaves in it.

i also let it sit in the sun and get totally dry before covering it.

the cover i have is a awning from a trailer. my grandpa came up with it years ago when the boat was his and its been working great since. he also used a piece of pipe with another slipped in it to act as a backbone to keep the rain from puddling.

 

[mtnrat]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Covers don't work where I live. Too Much Snow.

Also the temperature is right around 32* alot of the time and anything covered, even underneath a shed or in a garage, gets serious condensation. Have to keep it underneath the shed or in a garage, and uncovered to keep it dry.