Shrinkwrap or boat cover (and polytarp)?

sjcslk

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 23, 2017
Messages
39
My 16 footer has a carpeted floor. I've heard shrinkwrap holds moisture even with vents and Damprid. I have a new cover (Platinum 1200 from Coveranything that is supposed to be canvass and polyester). I'm debating on shrinkwrap or the new cover with a poly tarp over it. The boats in my yard so I can keep snow off. I'm in Michigan. Looking for advise. The boat has previously been kept inside in winter. Motor is not an issue; its going in basement. Thanks
 

crazy charlie

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 22, 2003
Messages
5,581
Shrinkwrap is the best no doubt.To do it correctly is super important.Swrap needs to be done in a tentlike style to be most effective so snow and ice slide off from gravity..The height will give any moisture somewhere to go.Proper venting will cut down on moisture.Damprid will also be needed.Most importantly is that the boat is COMPLETELY dry when wrapped.I put a fan in the cockpit angled up towards the swrap and leave it on for the first week and plug it in randomly.This will make sure any moisture is eliminated by air circulation.I would also HIGHLY recommend blue shrinkwrap instead of white which will heat the underside any time the sun is out.I install a zipper in my shrinkwrap so I can access the boat any time I want to.I have been under blue swrap in freezing temps with full sun and was able to take off my coat when under the blue swrap.Toasty warm and better for the boat.Charlie
 

ThomW

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 8, 2016
Messages
615
I agree with Charlie. Shrink wrap is 100% the way to go. You will most likely destroy your cover if it is used all winter, and it won't keep your boat dry. Along with the mildew bags, and making sure the boat is dry, make sure to install vents on the wrap. They sell little plastic ones that poke through the wrap after you are finished wrapping. This allows for air flow and will help prevent moisture build up. I always wrap my pontoon every winter (Upstate NY) and have never had an issue with excessive mold or mildew. If you wrap it correctly with supports and a good slope, the snow will also fall right off the cover and you don't need to brush it off every time it snows.
 

poconojoe

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
1,966
What has been said makes sense.

You don't want to go out and clean off snow every time it snows. That will get old real quick.
It's the main reason we make room in our garage every Fall for our boat and our Silverado. It sucks having to clean snow off a full sized pickup every time it snows. Our boat always goes in the garage for Winter.
The folding trailer tongue is a necessity for it to fit. If it didn't fit due to the trailer, I would consider blocking up the boat in the garage minus the trailer.
185 bow rider, 22 foot deep garage.
 

JimS123

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2007
Messages
8,234
"Most importantly is that the boat is COMPLETELY dry when wrapped"

No kidding. So, how often do you think that is actually accomplished? I have yet to see a shrink wrapped boat that did not have at least some mold come springtime.

Eons ago when ripstop poly tarps became popular people started using them for boats. All the old timers said "NOOOOOO, you need canvas". Come springtime they all said "told ya so".

When Dad's old boat finally gave up the ghost from outside storage he told me he's never own another boat unless he had an indoor place to store it.

As a teenager with a 16 footer, I followed his advice and rented a garage until I got married and bought a house. There is always a way.
 

demarko210

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 2, 2015
Messages
655
If you get a boat cover (general tarp) I would recommend getting one like this. Extremely thick and should last for years. I have 2 white in the summer and brown in the winter.
 

sam am I

Commander
Joined
Jun 26, 2013
Messages
2,169
I would also HIGHLY recommend blue shrinkwrap instead of white
Been shrink-warping my boat better part of 20 yrs now and I'd agree with the shrink-warp as being better then canvas for long term winter storage. No doubt, canvas can hold moisture, doesn't shed snow too well and aren't typically big enough to make high tent poles, not for heavy snow loads anyway.

HOWEVER, I do have to dis-agree with using blue wrap though, tried it once and it was a disaster!!

Yes, it tends to warms the air underneath and that's the problem (in my area anyway) as warming the air can/does create a temp gradient ........

If there is a temp gradient (colder air on the outside and warmer air inside for and in our example),then this warmer air which always contains some moisture content (1-99%) is now held/present inside and under the wrap AND if this warmed moist air goes up against the wraps cooler surface (recall it's colder on the outside due to warming on the inside) and also combining that our plastic wrap isn't much of a temp insulator, it will instantly condensate on that surface of the wrap....Think of a glass of ice water sitting on your dinning room table.

The underside wrap surface now becomes a dripping nightmare from hell...........

Inside surface condensation will collect anywhere there is snow laying on the outside and/or when colder air exists on the outside verses inside. Even with high tent pole designs, some snow always still collects during and after storms. And even if it sheds ALL the snow, the blue color now tends to always cause even more of a temp gradient with the slightest bit sun/light.

I found that keeping the inside air as dry (moisture collection bags as most have already noted) and as COLD/EQUAL as possible (lots and lots of vents) to the outside temp works best, and for me, the white wrap helped keep inside/under temp as equal to the outside air temp better then blue did as white wrap causes less solar heating and therefor equals less of a temp gradient......
 
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