Heavy snow and winter boating

[Emeraldsnake]

Hello there, I'm looking for some advice/information from the experienced boaters here. I have read a report saying that, in the south of England this winter, we are expecting the worse winter conditions and heavy snow fall for 100 years. (That's why heating bills have just been raised by 10%!). I have said on another thread that I am keeping my boat in the water as I will be doing some cod fishing in the next few months. So what experience have you fine people had with regards to heavy snow fall on your boat? I have a smallish boat, a 22ft Bayliner. I use the tall canopy on her. How have you people coped in the past with loads of snow on top of your boat. The weight of it etc. What if conditions are so bad that you can't reach the marina to get it off? I'm hoping to learn something from your stories and discussions of your past experiences. I want to leave her in the sea! Thanks guys. All the best. Mike.

 

[achris]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

..... I have read a report saying that, in the south of England this winter, we are expecting the worse winter conditions and heavy snow fall for 100 years. .....

And you pick THIS year to leave your boat in the water.... :facepalm:... Figures... Sorry Mike, no experience of snow (live in Perth ), but I couldn't let this one pass without saying something... :rofl:

Chris...........
(Oh, one more thing. Our fisheries department are opening the lobster season a month early this year.... Guess where I'll be in 2 days time... The clue is part of my signature )

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

Snow? In Portsmouth? There goes the neighbourhood.....

My two "top-of-list" bullets would be :
1) Be careful of your canopy. The concern is that the snow will be wet and heavy in your climate. Fluffy pwder ain't so likely....IMO. Those canopies aree not designed for a high static load and can tear badly.
You might be better with a tarp that you drape over everything. Will keep most of the snow out and won't rip under the load. Snow is no worse than rain as far as contact is concerned. Lose the canopy for a bit.
2) SAFETY. Be really aware of wet snow's propensity to stick to surfaces and pack. Can seem like a reasonably firm surface, but can come unstuck really easily....and quickly. Watch your footing, especially at sea!!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

I don't know about in the water, but we used to have to store a few of our boats outside in the winter on the trailer. Since we got a pretty substantial snowfall, we would tent the tarps/covers up VERY high and VERY steep. That would help the snow naturally fall off, and the heavier it was typically the faster it would slide off.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

On the coast, the warm(er) waters and salt spray tend to keep the snow accumulations down.

A much bigger problems are the winds and tide of the winter storms. A good number of boats are heavily damaged or sunk when they break loose of their moorings, or get caught under the dock at low tide and are swamped by the incoming tide. A large number of boats sunk when their cockpits drains get clogged with leaves and debris and the cockpit fills with water flooding the boat

Having said that, in 2010 we had a heavy snow that collapsed several slip pavilions damaging hundreds of boats. Proving once again, the best made plans of mice and men can go awry

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

I wouldn't do it unless I could keep my boat under a rigid shelter of some type, or could have easy quick access to clearing all that snow off the cover. There really isn't much you could do if you don't have a protected slip. So we cover em up in garages here, because we already know how this can ruin the boat if it is allowed to happen. Lot's of boats here in Michigan are soggy for this reason.

 

[Emeraldsnake]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

I own a boat, I want to use it as much as possible, all year round,(wow, I sound like a petulant child!), there are some good tips here. Apart from the ocean actually freezing, ( not likely where I am), I'm sure I can keep things ticking over throughout the cold. Besides, think of the nice big fat cod pictures you would miss out on.......IF I catch any! ;-)

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

I have NOT tried this but I wonder if it would be a big help.

The Official Ultra-Ever Dry Video - Superhydrophobic coating - Repels almost any liquid! - YouTube

That product has been around this forum many times.....

 

[rbh]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

Just read the 'normal' climate expectations in the winter and it is a lot like Vancouver BC Canada.
And when they do get snow it is wet and dang heavy, so I will suggest you invest in some 2x4 lumber to make a couple of stout A frames, use a 2x6 as the ridge pole.
You will want to cover as much as the boat as possible and what ever tarp you use make sure it is pulled taunt for the snow to slide off, if there is any kind of a lip it will build up at that point and with enough snow build up it will tear the tarp.
They make a corrugated??? fiberglass that is used on green houses, you might consider this as it would not sag as much as a tarp, it is much like a tin roof, but lighter.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

Invest in a real good mooring cover and make sure your insurance is paid up.

 

[Emeraldsnake]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

Being in a naval marina means I have to have my ?3000000 liability up to date at all times.........my cover is a tad old and frail, it will rip easily with heavy snow. Think I will try the A frame idea, just to give a but more strength to the frame. Great ideas, keep them coming. So nice to be able to tap into the experience of others. Top job guys.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

Too many zeros in your liability insurance? 4.5 million USD is a little steep by US standards

 

[bassman284]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

Too many zeros in your liability insurance? 4.5 million USD is a little steep by US standards

Well, if you take off a zero you have $450,000 which is definitely light, at least for me. I only carry a million but I know folks who carry 3 million, umbrellas not just for boats. A loose boat in a storm can create a lot of havoc.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

Yes it has, I still wonder if it would help with this situation. My thinking is "wet" snow would not stick to the cover and would slide off easier. Again, I do not know if that is true but for a few bucks it may be worth trying.

Can't hurt, but I think the critical point is to have sufficient slope and tension to avoid sags that will allow pools to form, which stretch the cover....allowing increasingly bigger pools....and ultimate failure.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Heavy snow and winter boating

Lived in England for 30 years before moving here. Use the best and heaviest canvas you can and tent it at the biggest angle you can manage. Make sure it is well treated.
Now go get those cod !!!!