Do you keep a cover over your boat?

[crackedglass]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I made a really big saw horse with a rounded top 2x12 down the middle for my winter tarp support. I used to use bought covers but they just don't last long enough to justify the cost. I have several large green farm grade tarps from Harbor Freight and I tie them on with bailing twine. Bungee cords don't last and will sag with snow weight.

In the summer, I have a few old camera tripods which I picked up for a few dollars each at a flea market, and I use a plastic pretzel jar over the top, I pu this under my breathable, fitted boat cover when the boat is not in use.
It keep the cover from pooling water and its quick and simple to take down and get under way.

I don't cover mine air tight, I let them breath as much as possible. I am working on maybe putting up a big carport to park my boats under.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

My boat is always covered, but it has a lot of air circulation under the cover at the transom end. When the sun heats the thing up in the summer, any latent moisuture or condensation is quickly evap'd away.

 

[rwrw1]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Sounds like you either don't have it covered correctly, the cover leaks or the cover is creating heat sweat which is as bad or worse than rain water because it stays trapped.

Make sure the rain water runs off the cover and doesn't set on it which lets it sip through and will also ruin your cover, however, i'm sure you already know this but if you live in a hot place such as Florida you have to watch the heat as much as the rain.

 

[Davinciman]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I have a Stearns boat cover 14-16 ft with a 1/2" plywood piece cut to go from windshield to splash well. This keeps snow loads and rain water from sagging the cover. I use a water " noodle " as edge protection across windshield cut. That !4-16 ft size enables me to stretch it up over my 50 evinrude with the side benefit of air circulation... no mildew or funky odors.

Cheers and Happy boating.... a dry boat is a happy boat!

 

[boat1010]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I use to think that covered all the time was the way to go. A friend of mine would cover it as soon as we took it off the water and leave it that way till the following week-end. We had to replace the floor on it. So not I leave mine uncovered in the garage most of the time so it keeps dry. Cover it outside to keep out the rain and keep the fly away parts in the boat for the trip home, then uncover it.

 

[tcarden]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Boat is in the garage year round, covered. To keep the boat out just sends chills. Yikes. Cover in the garage keeps it spotless and ready to go.

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I use to think that covered all the time was the way to go.......We had to replace the floor on it. So not I leave mine uncovered in the garage most of the time so it keeps dry. Cover it outside to keep out the rain and keep the fly away parts in the boat for the trip home, then uncover it.

If you support the cover, tarp, or whatever allowing air to flow under the cover you should be fine. Wrapped up like a head of lettuce is bad for wood.

 

[bigred69]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Stinky has been in the shop all winter(20x64), The new to me Larson has been out side under cover. I take the cover off when the weather is good. This summer I will be pouring floor in the shop and both boats will be inside.

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

My boat is covered and in a portable garage as well.

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

this is the way to go

 

[jonesg]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

If you fill the inflatable with helium you can store it on the ceiling.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I don't cover my boat ever, its a self bailing cockpit center console with all new stringers and composite transom, no more thru-deck screws holding the console in place, i glassed it to the deck from the inside.

There is no cushy furniture, if you don't like fishing too bad.
Its been raining for 6 days now and theres no water in the bilge.
But the downside is ....its not as comfortable as other boats.
My elecs are housed in a lock box.
My next boat will be more of a girlymon boat.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

My boat is currently covered inside a shop, only its cover is un-covered. Which is also covered by the shop. I guess you could say it is covered with it's cover off.

But when the cover goes back on, I will cover the boat, even though it is covered by the shop. At that point it will be covered in my shop. Unless I am on the water scaring land lubbers with it of course.

Enjoy,
drewp

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I've put way too much time & money to leave mine uncovered. I let it dry out for a day after use, but she's covered not long after. I'm thinking about coverting my tounge to a break-away so I can store in the garage this winter.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

Hello m8s..

I would recommend a Moisture Control Bag..

I would also pull the cover off as much as possible after a high humid day ( rain and such .. not winter snow though )

Basically if you store your boat in summer.. hang a bag inside..

YD.

 

[navis]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

We just use a 30'x30' tarp from midland tools, get the black weave, they are the most durable.
We have one log at the front and three large ones at the back which support and stabilize a beam running lengthwise, which supports the center of the tarp and the hanging fluorescent lights.
Having the tarp open at the front allows a breeze to travel through the boat and dry everything out. Yet, 4 large heat-lamps can get it warm enough to work in if you tie the front down. Just make sure it is tied down well, cause in a west-coast windstorm it makes a damn good sail!

 

[109jb]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I personally just leave mine uncovered in my pole barn. If you can't do that and are where you can plug in how about one of the mini dehumidifiers to control the moisture content under the cover? You could easily modify the collection tank to drain into the bilge and then it would just run out the plug and on the ground.

 

[airmail]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

I keep mine covered with a custom made cover w/vents. In the winter I put plastic tarps over the cover so the snow slides off. I didn't use the boat this pass year and left the tarps on. Big mistake. Really made a mess of the cover. Took a lot of work to get the cover clean. I won't do that again. I did have some rot form my engine cover bolts letting in water. Also any water that got in layed on the starboard side in the aft of the boat and rotted the deck. I replaced the section of deck and rebuilt the stringers. One of the problems was that any water that got on the deck didn't run off into the bilge. The lip on the bilge was higher then the deck. Since I'm rebuilding this section I will made sure that it's a smooth run to the bilge. I'll only use the tarps in the winter and remove them in the summer months. Plus power vents sound good.

 

[chaparral442]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

how do you keep rodents from nesting in your boat?

 

[airmail]

Re: Do you keep a cover over your boat?

My cover is pretty tight and the vents have screens in them. I did have ants starting to nest in the sides of the cover. I think they just started to nest so it wasn't to tough to get them all. I think a tight cover is the only way to keep rodents out. I've heard moth balls will keep rodents out also.