Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

[luckyinkentucky]

I have a 20 ft. Skeeter Fish n' Ski, and there simply isn't enough room in my garage for it, so I am going to store it outside this winter. I have had it covered for the past 2 weeks, and I thought everything was fine until I got under the cover today.

I have the Attwood Boater's Best cover which I bought from BPS under their 'BPS Branded Items'. Here is a link to it. BPS Sun Armor Cover[/URL


My problem is 2 fold.

The first problem is that this cover is leaking, and it claims to be waterproof. What should I do about that?

The second thing is that I need to cover the boat better than just with this cover. Should I 'wrap' the entire boat & trailer in a 15' X 30' tarp to completely keep the rain out?

I already have the boat tilted with the batteries out, and I am making covers for the wheels to put on sometime next week. I'm not too worried about snow weighting down the cover since I already have some supports in place, and we only get around 16" of snow average per year anyway. My main concern is keeping out moisture that could freeze and/or mildew my upholstery and carpet.

Thanks for the help, and sorry for the lengthy post.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

Put some garbage bags over the seats and cover the whole interior with one of those cheapie blue tarps from walmart, then put your canvas cover on, thats what I do anyhow and I live in Northern Ohio where it gets cold and lots of snow, it's always a constant battle with outside storage.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

I would return the $200 + cover and pick up some 2" pvc pipe and fittings to make a simple tent frame and a large grey tarp and some bungie cords to hold it all down. I have used the tent frame on my MFG with great success, and also just made one for the Bayliner Cuddy I bougth this summer. Both boats have upside down T shaped PVC pipe sections connected by a horizontal length of PVC. Then throw the cover over it, attacht to trailer frame with bungies and you have a "tent" covering the boat so rain and snow runs off and can't puddle on the boat.

PVC cost is about $20 for pipe and fittings, and the tarp is about $40.

 

[1730V]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

Leave the cover on. "Drape" it with one of the blue tarps. DO NOT wrap the boat. You need to let it breathe. Let the tarp sides hang down so they can drain. Attaching to the trailer is OK. You only need to really cover the top surfaces where rain/snow will hit it and could collect.

The tarp will keep the moisture out and by leaving the sides down-not wrapped, it will let the whole thing breathe.

I would NOT cover the interior vinyl. If it can't breathe, it will promote mold and rot.

 

[tommays]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

gotta be strong for the WET snow

and plenty of head room to so it stays nice and dry all winter as air can move freely through both ends


Tommays

 

[1730V]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

Tommays has the idea. Exactly what I was talking about.

Leave your cover on and just "drape" it.

 

[luckyinkentucky]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

I got the cover replaced today by calling BPS, and they said they will send me another. I like the idea of draping a tarp over it with supports. The only real problem I see with that, for my application, is that I live in a high winds area. SOmetimes the wind gusts get up to 45 mph in the winter time, and there isn't much to block the wind where I live.

I'll come up with something though. Thanks for the input everyone. It's really helped.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

lik, if you have a F/S, you have holes where the fishing seats go.
Get the PVC that fits in them holes and go from there.
My old boat was set up like that with a tarp over it and I never had any problem with wind.
I just made sure I had it secure with bungie cords and a rope that I started at one end and wormed my way to the other.

 

[tommays]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

It is really windy up here

There is a line run through both sides of the tarp eyes to SHRINK it around the boat AND a tie down holding it to the trailer every 18"



Tommays

 

[j_martin]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

I got one of those hoop frame canvas garages from Menards. I still cover the boat, and still have issues with frost and condensation, but the snow, rain, leaves, and most of the dust are a past issue.

I figure that if I'm going to spend thousands on a boat, a few hundred to shelter it is worth the effort.

John

 

[Hashi]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

Just out of curiosity...Is the boat cover right side out? Sometimes, if they are installed backwards, the cover can't breathe and condensation builds up or leak under pressure at the seams. The water that's in there now should be evacuated. Get a wet/dry shop vac and vacuum most of the water then cover your boat back as other posts have suggested. Rent or buy a dehumidifier and run it for a few days under the boat cover. Make sure all your lids are open when you do this. Otherwise, you'll have some serious mold and mildew problem next Spring.

 

[valkyr]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

one thing that helps with the mildew issue is this:

Get a mop bucket (you know, like a carwash bucket)
Get a strainer (like a macarroni/spaghetti strainer) that will set in the top
of the bucket.
Get some kitty litter (or a box of "Damp Rid" - Walmart didn't have the Damp Rid anymore here in Murfreesboro)
Fill the strainer with the kitty litter or damp rid and set bucket in middle of boat.

You have to replenish the kitty litter ever so often, but it really helps with the mildew problems while covered with a tarp.

 

[mandopickr]

Re: Outdoor Storage Problem with Fish n' Ski.

I went to Pep Boys and got one of the "carports", which is just a series of pipes and a fitted tarp cover. Total cost, after rebate, was about $50 for 10'X20". Then I use my regular boat cover under it, just for reduduncy.

In fact I like it so well, I'm going back to get a bigger version (12X28), with front and sides for this winter. Its a little more ($280)