MacGregorSailors.com

Unfortunately it's that time of year. I'm going to store my Mac outside and want to get a cover for it.
What size cover works well? I'd like to pull it down over the side if possible and bungie it under the boat.

RussMT,

Covering the boat is not a problem. If you purchase a tarp which is much longer than the length of the boat with the mast lowered and extended beyond the stern, and about 25 feet wide, you will be fine...................as long as you don't get any snow or rain I don't know about the rain, but I'm sure you get plenty of snow in Montana.

Seriously, the problem comes when rain and/or snow builds up in pockets when the tarp stretches. The tarp can tear when that weight builds up. You will need to either build some structure under the tarp to support the weight of the snow, or build under the tarp some sort of support. I have large Styrofoam blocks which I place on the deck and build up until I touch the underside of the tarp. I also go as often as possible under the tarp and push up to eject the snow from the tarp.

If you do a search on the topic, you should find a photo of a support system made (I believe) out of PVC pipes. It looked quite good, but I am too lazy put that effort into it. The Styrofoam blocks work well for me.

Ray

PVC pipe works well. The first year I screwed everything together.
The following year I found it difficult to line up all the holes.
So I used black plastic tape for the whole thing. It has worked wonderfully
in the last 2 years. Also so easy to knock it all down with a knife.

Tony,

You're just around the corner from me. When the time comes, can I see exactly what you do? I believe we have spoken before. You're in the Neshaminy Marina.


Ray

Ray,
This year I am going to try pool pillows ( the kind that go under a pool cover in the winter time). This along with with a tarp that is 20X30 in addition to raising the forward mast attachment to be level with the aft section of the mast so that the mast is level to the ground. When I do this I will document it with pictures. It will prabably be around the second week of November.

Here is mine covered by a couple of Tarps.



Actually this picture is a little old. When I left in in Jul 07 it was covered with just one big silver tarp. But it was catching water and forming large "pools". And the weight ripped the tarp where the stancions rubbed against it...even though they were topped with a folded towell to prevent that from happening.

So my Dad has built some sort of frame that sits across the mast and lifts the tarp a little higher and keeps it off those middle stancions. He said it works well...I haven't seen it yet.

Until Hurricane Faye blew through. Shredded the two tarps you see in this picture. He has since bought a 40 x 20 Heavy Duty Tarp and re-wrapped it.

I know that most boats sit out in the sun and rain most of the time...but I am hoping that this cover will reduce some of the sun bleaching and prevent any rain leaks. Time will tell.

Of course, I don't think I will have any issues with that other four-letter word...SNOW. My two biggest concerns are mildew/mold inside and if my steering rod will "dry out" like the last one did that I had to replace. Can't seem to talk my Dad into taking off the covers and going inside to grease up the steering rod and to check for mold/mildew...oh well I guess I can't complain...he is doing a lot for me.

Good Luck,
Jim

Interesting idea Matt. I never heard of pool pillows.

Ray

NiceAft wrote:Tony,

You're just around the corner from me. When the time comes, can I see exactly what you do? I believe we have spoken before. You're in the Neshaminy Marina.

Ray

Ray, I have a PVC pipe setup on my boat - stop by and have a look.

Cheers,
Kevin

We use a canvas deck-tarp on top of the deck, then a 20' X 30' plastic tarp.

A couple of tips we have found that work for us are:
1. Release the life-lines. Both cockpit and deck. This helps stop the pooling of water and snow and lets it run off.
2. Install tennis balls on stanchions. This stops the tarp from chafing on the top of the life-line stations. Cut a hole in the tennis ball and stick it one. The pressure of the tarp keeps the ball in place, and does not rub.

Darry

Here's a link to the archives where I descibe the PVC pipe system that I've been using:
Storage cover
(I'll have to re-establish the pic link, so check back)

As for keeping snow from trapping on the tarp, I tie ropes tightly in a spider web fashion between the lifelines and strongback/pipes.

I'm also considering building a Bow Roof Shed instead of the storage cover.

!	kmclemore:
	Fixed link