It's sad but

[Jarhead44]

......I'm allready thinking about winter. I shrink wrapped last year but it seems a little waste full. This year i'm thinking of putting out some of those things that soak up moisture, then my mooring cover then a regular boat cover preferably for towing. All will be supported with poles. Does use this method. Michigan winters can be pretty rough so i want to be prepared.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: It's sad but

if you are in an area with mice, use a deterent. they like to chew wires. i don't have the winterizing problem. just have to make sure the foot is down so it drains.

 

[oops!]

Re: It's sad but

DONT SWEAR AT US USING THE W WORD !!!!!

you also might try a large inflated innertube in the boat to keep the center of the cover up high....this will avoid snow pooling.....td has pics of a rig he made with pvc pipe......

cheers
oops

 

[zach103]

Re: It's sad but

the way we did it this winter worked great. it looked a little odd but it worked.. we made to triangles out of wood just like you see used to make a roof.. on up by the windshield one by the transome.. than a 2x4 running down the middle of the boat resting on top of those triangles. and one going to the bow of the boat resting on the light. . than some small suppoorts here and there. put 2 heavy duty tarps on it a bunch of bungees and rope. lasted all winter. most of the snow ran off but the stuff that stayed didnt weigh the suports down. whole thing prolly cost maybe $10 . just used a coupel 2x3s or 2x4s forgot what kind.. ill put a picture up soon. but i dont have the boat so just the frame

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: It's sad but

here it is,

 

[jennis9]

Re: It's sad but

IF we can't get a storage locker/garage/warehouse....

we are thinking about shrinkwrap.... we'll be storing 500' from lake erie and our marina will be recycle this year. So we'll have access to early spring to our boat. We may change our minds and go indoor at the local county fair. But there was an outbreak of damage last year - quite a few boats had tires and upholstery slashed. Yuck.

Having a hard time deciding.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: It's sad but

Did anyone try one of those "garage" things from Harbor Freight? Plastic tarp with pretty heavy metal frame. They cost about $250 and I have to spend about $150 for shrinkwrap anyway so two years worth of shrinking is more than the garage structure. And the garage thing would be more useable at my side yard year round. Has anyone had success with these? How do they hold up under snow and ice conditions? How long does that plastic tarp last?

Joe

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: It's sad but

Did anyone try one of those "garage" things from Harbor Freight? Plastic tarp with pretty heavy metal frame. They cost about $250 and I have to spend about $150 for shrinkwrap anyway so two years worth of shrinking is more than the garage structure. And the garage thing would be more useable at my side yard year round. Has anyone had success with these? How do they hold up under snow and ice conditions? How long does that plastic tarp last?

Joe

I had one for about 5 years before the tarp started to fail due to exposure. But I don't need to worry about snow loads.............

 

[DRIFTER_016]

Re: It's sad but

Did anyone try one of those "garage" things from Harbor Freight? Plastic tarp with pretty heavy metal frame. They cost about $250 and I have to spend about $150 for shrinkwrap anyway so two years worth of shrinking is more than the garage structure. And the garage thing would be more useable at my side yard year round. Has anyone had success with these? How do they hold up under snow and ice conditions? How long does that plastic tarp last?

Joe

I put one up last year. So far it is working great. Wind does a pretty good job of keeping the snow off the roof. I went out to remove the snow twice last year. You just go inside and use a broom to shake the snow off. It only seems to build up if it is wet.
The cover is reinforced and has UV inhibiters in it to protect it from the sun.
I would guess that the cover will last about 5 years if properly installed and looked after. You have to adjust the tension periodically. Also make sure it is properly anchored, it would suck to have it torn apart by wind.
I live in Yellowknife, NWT so if it can handle temps down to -70 in the winter it will probably work real good in warmer climes.
This is the one I have.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/p...4443291719&assortment=primary&fromSearch=true

 

[malfar]

Re: It's sad but

Those portable garages - do not remove snow on the roof by going inside and knocking the snow off from in there. There were three instances in Ontario/Quebec last year where someone tried that and the roof colapsed. A small amount of snow is suprisingly heavy and when you have it on top of you with a tarp in between - it is impossible to dig yourself out. The three people mentioned - suffocated before anyone could get them out. One was an 18-19 yearold girl- just a terrible story.

 

[Kymasabe]

Re: It's sad but

WINTERIZE !!!

AAHHH haa haaa haaa haaaaaahaaaaa ahahaaaaaahaaaaaaaaa

Sorry...down here in sub-tropical southwest Florida, we boat year round.

Suckers !

 

[109jb]

Re: It's sad but

Someone mentioned mice. I throw a few fabric softener sheets under the cover of my boat. Change them once a month. Since I've been doing this I haven't had any mice in the boat.

As for the cover, for my last boat I had a pole system that stuck into the seat bases front and rear. It gave more pitch for shedding snow (northern illinois). I then used a blue tarp over the top since the regular boat cover was't big enough with the support pole setup. Rubber straps to hold it down. Worked fine, but mine was an old 16 ft Starcaft. Your mileage may vary.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: It's sad but

I think that one from Canadian Tire is the same one they sell at Costco here. Looks heavier duty than the one from harbor freight. Thanks Drifter.