Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

[84Monaco]

Hi all,

I'm trying to figure out if the boat should sit in the sun or the shade when out of the water. I realize indoors would be best, but not really an option for me. I do have outdoor options in the sun or the shade. Seems like there are pros and cons to each.

I do cover the boat.

What do you guys think? I couldn't find any threads on this, but if you know of any feel free to link.

Thanks!

 

[bajabuddy]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

In the shade you deal with bird droppings and in the sun you have to worry about the sun fading. If it were me I would probably park in the shade. Easier to clean poo than deal with buffing all day!

 

[rwidman]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

It doesn't really matter. Park it where it's most convenient.

That is, unless you want to buy one of the metal carports to park it under. That will keep it out of the sun and rain and protet it from bird droppings.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

Depends upon how long you intend to keep it. UV from the sun will eventually ruin the cover, oxidise the gelcoat, and if allowed to continue, over the course of many years will start to depolymerize any exposed fiberglass. Yeah! Sunlight is hell on FG boats, but a good waxing twice a year will prevent most damage.

 

[84Monaco]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

What about critters or mildew? Any difference there? I parked it in the shade for the first time recently and wasps seemed to think it made a good home.

 

[arks]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

In the shade you deal with bird droppings and in the sun you have to worry about the sun fading.

Agreed, but what's more important is that wherever it's parked, air must be allowed to circulate naturally inside the boat to prevent mold and mildew.
Bees/bugs- kill 'em when you visit. I use Ortho Home Defense Max with good success but it needs to be applied regularly.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

If it's fully covered it really doesn't matter; there are pros and cons for each but not a big factor. Sun will dry off faster, prevent some freezing (is that an issue?).

 

[jonesg]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

I park mine in the sunshade.

But never under an oak tree, what a mess.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

I'd go for shade with a good universal fit cover. Those are available for under $100 on EBay. That way you don't mind getting leaf stains and bird droppings on it so much. Make sure you put a good support system under the cover so it sheds water. If you're in snow/freezing country that needs to be a GOOD support system. If you can afford one of the metal carport structures- they're about $800-$900 at BORG- they are the best, just below completely indoors.

 

[Carolinawater]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

I go for the shade also. That sun is a real killer. It won't take long for fading and cracking to happen.Being covered is a + for sure.

 

[84Monaco]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

I've had mine in the sun for 3 years now. The cover fades, and the straps break from sun damage...but seems like the heat helps it dry and keeps anything from living inside.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

That is, unless you want to buy one of the metal carports to park it under. That will keep it out of the sun and rain and protet it from bird droppings.

We got one of those metal carports to park boat under shortly after buying it in 2002. I have not covered it at all over the years. The carport has protected it from rain, sun, falling Pecan limbs - including one about 5" in diameter that would've surely broken something on the boat. The only issue I've had is dirt/dust settling on it and spider droppings. Sometimes the underside of the top will condensate and drip onto boat but it dries fairly quickly. Biggest benefit is after 9 seasons of use there is NO fading/oxidation on boat or trailer

 

[sasto]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

Sitting in the sun and saltwater everyday since 2000 and I have no problem, the boat I mean. Me, thats another story, I don't fair as well.

 

[Carolinawater]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

We got one of those metal carports to park boat under shortly after buying it in 2002. I have not covered it at all over the years. The carport has protected it from rain, sun, falling Pecan limbs - including one about 5" in diameter that would've surely broken something on the boat. The only issue I've had is dirt/dust settling on it and spider droppings. Sometimes the underside of the top will condensate and drip onto boat but it dries fairly quickly. Biggest benefit is after 9 seasons of use there is NO fading/oxidation on boat or trailer

Same for me. I just try to keep a heads up for snakes taking a snooze under one of the seats or something.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

remember, trailer tires are affected by the sun, especially if you have a spare laying horizontal on the trailer tongue. Cover it.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

Go shade all the way where I park my boat outside, the starboard side is under an overhang and always shaded. It is covered though. Port gets sun at least half the day. If I do a walk-around you would think I am lookn at 2 different boats. Port side is all faded, gelcoat all oxidized. starboard is SOOOOOOOOO much better lookn. UV is so destructive. Its an older boat 86. the pic in my sig below is 15 yrs old. It doesnt look that good now.. Gettn ready to buff it out though. hopefully it will come back.... BTW boat is in Minnesota. Not a whole lot of summer here.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

Depends upon how long you intend to keep it. UV from the sun will eventually ruin the cover, oxidise the gelcoat, and if allowed to continue, over the course of many years will start to depolymerize any exposed fiberglass. Yeah! Sunlight is hell on FG boats, but a good waxing twice a year will prevent most damage.

Let's not get carried away here. Thousands of boats are kept in marinas, private docks, or on moorings (mine is slipped at a marina). For most, there's no shade. Our boats fade a bit, we wax them, and all is good again.

Some of these boats are 40+ years old and if nobody did anything stupid like paint them with house paint or apply one of the "miracle" restorer products, they can be brought back to a nice shine if they don't shine now.

I will say, however, it's much more difficult to prevent fading of a dark colored hull than white or off white.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

Go shade all the way where I park my boat outside, the starboard side is under an overhang and always shaded. It is covered though. Port gets sun at least half the day. .

Why not just turn it around every couple months?

 

[109jb]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

Have you ever parked your car in the sun on a hot sunny day? The temperatures inside the cover can get extremely hot and most covers are a dark color. This can cause a large shift in the temperature between nightime and daytime. This large shift in temperature can result in condensation forming inside the boat under the cover, particularly if the humidity is high. Condensation can also form on the outside but who cares about that. Condensation on the inside can cause mildew and mold problems. Hence my vote for storing in the shade if possible.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Should I park the boat in the sun or the shade

Why not just turn it around every couple months?

LOL shed is right behind boat ! but thx for the idea