What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

[chrisg]

For out door storage ( where you get snow). I noticed mosture collects on warn winter days under the cover that I use ( canvice)
Also, I have not lifted my boat trailer off its wheels. Heard that today's tires are better then when my dad had to lift the trailer off its wheels.

 

[Firestar]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

You can't get away from the condensation. To deal with it, I put 3 containers of damp rid in my boat. 1 in the cuddy,another in the cockpit and finally one in the engine compartment. I then put my cockpit cover on, then a full fitted cover and finally a heavy duty poly tarp that covers everything from the front of the trailer to end of the stern drive.

 

[new_boater]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

try putting 4" dryer hose from inside to outside between cover and boat in 3 or 4 places to let air circulate

 

[electricjohn]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

I cut a boat cover out of the bottom of my old pool liner which was still in excellent shape being I never used chlorine. I place it over my cheap canvas cover and leave the back open a bit for air circulation. No problems in 38 winters.

 

[evilratgirl]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

We used to use the canvas mooring cover covered with a tarp. Condensation didn't seem to be nearly much of an issue a keeping the snow from piling on.

As far as the tires, get them off the ground. They will flat spot and cause premature cracking on the sidewalls.

 

[m&m252]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

i've lived in the fla.keys all my life and never had to deal with preparing for winters ,isn't there some sort of storage facilities locate in your areas that can accomodate your vessel . i understand fees could be outrageous ,but if you leave it covered and vetillated and damp proofed doesnt the freeze damage the fuel line , oil line,gauges, etc. ?

 

[nitsuj]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

I know a lot of people have theirs shrink wrapped. But I've never had any experience. Maybe someone will tell us what conditions call for wrapping, and why it may or may not be the way to go.

 

[chrisg]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

I would think the shrink wrap would have an issue with no ventilation.

 

[njlarry]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

Has anyone used one of those temporary gargage type sheds? They are made of pvc and covered with a tarp material and a zipper front door. I don't know what to call them but they're cheap (under $300 at PEP Boys), reusable and they don't touch the boat while keeping the snow and sun off.
Have to wonder how they hold up to the snow.

 

[electricjohn]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

I keep my skiboat in a car tent. It is made by Cover-It. It is about 10 years old now and holding up pretty good. You still have to throw some sort of cover over the boat though just to keep it clean. Mine is set up in a shady (during the summer) area which extents the life of the cover. Takes a snow load quite well, especially with our wet heavy Jersey snow. First thing to fail will be the zippers, even if you don't use them alot.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

Canvas alone is not enough, and it will wear out in a couple of winters.
You may need a new canvas cover. I just got a new one myself.
A poly tarp over the canvas works fine through the winter, for me.
Some air usually vents around the motor outboard motor area.
For an inboard, the vent ideas given are a good idea.
Haven't ever raised the tires, and haven't had a problem with them.
My area has about 4 months of frozen winter at the most.
I just gapped the spark plugs, hoping for one more semi-warm day.
Happy winterizing!

 

[FREDDYPD]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

I posted a similar question here: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=225008

Hope that helps. I just threw a tarp over the boat for now. I haven't had time to do anything else yet.

 

[dingbat]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

i've lived in the fla.keys all my life and never had to deal with preparing for winters ,isn't there some sort of storage facilities locate in your areas that can accomodate your vessel . i understand fees could be outrageous ,but if you leave it covered and vetillated and damp proofed doesnt the freeze damage the fuel line , oil line,gauges, etc. ?

There is life at temps under 60 you know

 

[Ezrider_92356]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

i dont have much experance but in my boat it seems most of my floor and stringer rot has come from there not being a way to ventalate the bilge area its been in my garage for almost a month after being stored outside for a long time and there was no place for moisture to escape the bildge other than the drain plug and a hole neer the transom in the floor the size of a drain plug even after drilling some 2 inch inspection holes in the floor when checking the condition of everything about 2 weeks ago the bilge area is still damp. when i replace the floor i plan on adding alot more ventilation and maby a fan that i can plug in and use to ventalate the bilge area while being stored.

 

[Outsider]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

[IThere is life at temps under 60 you know
][/I]

Yeah, but it can really suck!

 

[chrisg]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

At least we dont have to worry about fires and typhoons up here in the north!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

Shrinkwrap is a great way to go if you dont mind spending the extra bucks.I put 6 plastic shrinkwrap vents in the cover.Damp/dry containers inside the cabin.A fan in the cabin and a fan in the cockpit to keep the air moving at the high points of the shrinkwrap.I only turn on the cockpit fan if there is condensation on the inside of the shrinkwrap which will happen throughout the fall and early spring.I have a large zipper door at the transom for winter inspections and off season work to be done.Charlie

 

[Hashi]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

Has anyone used one of those temporary gargage type sheds? They are made of pvc and covered with a tarp material and a zipper front door. I don't know what to call them but they're cheap (under $300 at PEP Boys), reusable and they don't touch the boat while keeping the snow and sun off.
Have to wonder how they hold up to the snow.

Yeah, I currently use one...They're great for the price. Got mines at Kragen for $150 bucks during a sale. Then, I bought some cheap garbage cans from The Home Depot filled them with water and tied down the overhead coupler where the supports joins the legs. If is gets windy, I simply roll-up the sides walls so the wind goes through it. If it gets really windy, I also remove the roof because I keep the boat covered as well. I don't think they're built for the snow, though...Wouldn't hold up the load. Inexpensive steel canopies are around $600 to $1,000 (depending on size) which will hold up to snow and wind.

 

[njlarry]

Re: What do you use to cover you boat for winter?

10-4.....and thanks.