Tarps

[Renken2000Classic]

I noticed today that the one I put on this year is already flaking (!). Didn't seem like it had been on that long, but it mighta been new in June. It's a Wal Mart heavy duty (brown and silver), Hyper Tough brand, probably. I wasn't expecting to see that yet.

The last one I got from there (same brand and so forth I believe) was a butterscotch (and silver) color and it was the best one I've had yet. It lasted over a year. Same price range, best of my memory. I see them online, called "weather resistant". I kind of thought it was a fluke, and they didn't have them when I got this one.

Just kind of irritates me that stuff is cheapened as much as they can get away with sometimes, or that's the impression. Have had trouble with the eyelets ripping out of the brown ones too, but not in a while.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I buy a tarp every few months to recover the Fiat. I have a canvas tarp covered by a vinyl / poly tarp. The vinyl / poly lasts a max of 5 months. They do not last in sunlight and wind

Covering a boat, I would go with canvas

 

[crazy charlie]

The darker the color in the sun the quicker it will wear.I run a line,/ rope,/cord thru all of my grommets on each side and do the tie downs on the line/rope/cord which puts less stress on the grommets making them last longer.You can also put the silver side out which for some reason nobody does.Charlie

 

[rolmops]

Costco has fantastic tarps. they are 12 by 16. They come in a package of 2. for less than $20. I have been using the same tarps for easily 4 or 5 years and never had a leak. You may think that one is not big enough to cover your boat. but when you put the 2 of them together they easily cover a 22 or 24 foot boat. Besides, I find that putting on two tarps one after the other is a lot easier than wresting with a huge tarp. You can also fold up the smaller tarp much better and more compact. I look out every year to check when costco has them in the stores. They seem to put them in only during certain periods and then to get sold very fast.

 

[briangcc]

I've tried tarps over the winter 2x for my boats. First on the Bayliner then a couple years back on the Chap - both for the perceived cost savings over shrink wrap.

Results...Bayliner had mold on the seats and gouges in the hull from the grommets the following spring. Chap collapsed in a major snow fall event, to the point where I had to tow it to a different location in blinding snow to clean it out and then recover. Try towing a boat on dimly lit back country roads in the middle of a blizzard.

Whole new respect for "spend the darn $$$ on shrink wrap".

Tarps are great...for under tents when camping.

 

[dingbat]

Current tarp going on year 5
Use heavy duty bungee cords to secure to trailer
Use tarp clips to shape and form fit tarp to boat

​

Super Heavy Duty Silver / Brown Poly Tarp Features:​

• Silver / Brown Tarp
• 100% Waterproof
• Super Heavy Duty Poly Tarp
• 12 Mil (0.012”) thickness
• 7 oz per square yard
• 3 Ply poly material
• 1200 Denier fibers
• 14 x 14 Mesh count per square inch
• Reinforced corners
• Acid resistant
• Rot resistant
• Highly UV ray resistant
• Mildew resistant
• Hems are reinforced with rope for additional strength
• Reinforced woven and coated polyethylene finish
• Silver on one side, Brown on the other side
• Cut size tarp (finish size is apprx. 6”-8” smaller than size shown)
• Aluminum grommets spaced approx. every 18" around the entire perimeter
• Durable heat welded seams
• Arctic temperature flexibility

 

[matt167]

Tarps are $$$$$$$ these days. I use cheap boat covers to cover boats. Use several sizes too large to cover with an A frame

 

[jbcurt00]

Try Billboard vinyl w pipe pockets

12X24 tarp w 4-6" salvage edge pipe pocket
$58

Repurposed Billboard vinyls + tarps, best prices

BillboardVinyls is your source for billboard vinyls and billboard tarps. We offer repurposed vinyls for sale, wholesale, export, and more.

www.billboardvinyls.com

 

[Renken2000Classic]

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[JohnSz]

I use heavy duty white for winter storage.

 

[demarko210]

Tarp I use purchase on Amazon. In used now for 3 years. Bright colors that reflect and at least 10ml or thicker will get you through a few years. I use all year as stuff fall in my boat year round from the trees. If you have a frame going under or sharp edges on your boat like windows. You should place something under the tarp to keep if from ripping on a screw etc.

 

[legalfee]

Sunbrella fabric custom made. You will not be sorry.

 

[tphoyt]

I have had good luck with the Harbor Freight tarps. They don’t see a lot of sun but they definitely see a lot of wind. I get 3 or 4 years out of them.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Harbor freight tarps dissolve in Florida sunlight within 3 months

 

[JimS123]

Expensive shrinkwrap with vents installed and that have the bilge completely dry beforehand may be OK. Without all the precautions mold is an issue.

Any "tarp" simply put on top is a recipe for mold.

Grandpa was aghast when they started using tarps. His opinion was that canvas was the only option. I used a tarp once and he was right.

 

[airshot]

Look around and see if you have a truck tarp maker nearby, the ones for semi trucks. Had them make me some tarp/ covers for some atv's back in 2003. Those covers last forever ! Mine are still like new ! Square covers are not that expensive, think I had about 250 in the two I had made....still no cracks, no leaks and no tears from the wind and they have been out in 70 mph winds as well as 70 mph going down the highway. If your buying three cheap tarps every year or more ??

 

[Renken2000Classic]

I've never tried lacing a rope through the eyelets (sidenote)... I've got it lashed down like a boy scout tent with ropes at four corners, and wooden tighteners. Takes more space up. Plenty of ventilation under the sides though, even if I put some bungee cords there.

The one I was complaining about originally, I later noticed was only flaking on one section of it (constituting half maybe). So two different pieces of different quality put together...

 

[pgandw]

The Walmart boat cover ($70) is adequate, has lasted me 3 years so far. OK with it as a substitute for a $400+ fitted custom cover. But the Walmart is slowly stretching, probably only work another year or two.

 

[cyclops222]

Canvas on everything marine. If you wash all surfaces first ? The canvas polishes anything it rubs on.
Plastic garbage for firewood pile.

 

[airshot]

The Walmart boat cover ($70) is adequate, has lasted me 3 years so far. OK with it as a substitute for a $400+ fitted custom cover. But the Walmart is slowly stretching, probably only work another year or two.

The tarp covers I had made at the semi tarp company back in 2005 are still in perfect condition. Dirty yes, but no rips, tears or cracking. Totally wateroroof, cost me about 250 bucks...excellent investment !!