Boat Tarp/Cover

[SkiDeep2001]

I notice some use the silver waterproof tarps for their Macs. I have about 10 of them for RV,s farm equip, vehicles etc.. They work well for the first year or less but after exposure to elements they do break down. They are not inexpensive so I've solved that problem by buying same size(or close) blue tarps which are way cheaper (water resistant not proof) and then put those over my silver tarps. $10-$20blue versus $60-$100silver and I can get 5 years + out of my silver tarps.

[rockman]

I bought one of those heavy duty silver tarps. It was 30'x 15' (about that - from memory). I bought it three years ago, for about $110 Australian.

It has lasted 3 years, out in the hot aussie sun, and the cool winter (no snow here). It now has holes in it (where the stauchions have rubbed through). It will not last another winter. So I think it hasn't been too bad.

Ok - I have found it - http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TARP-HEAVY-DUTY- ... m153.l1262

If you use one of these, I would recommend putting a tie on each point. I ran a line from one side to the other, but if one comes off, then two points are not attached, but if you attach each point, there is no climbing under the boat to tie it down.

[dbcounihan]

I've used plastic tarps to cover my boats for years. I'm in northeast Wisconsin, where it's below zero and there's quite a bit of snow in the winter. I use 2 silver tarps: an older one on the top with a new one under it. I pad all of the wear points: tennis balls over the tops of the stantions and old blankets on the frame. My tarps usually last 2-3 seasons. When the top cover wears out, the bottom tarp becomes the top and a new one in put under it. It's sure cheaper than inside storage.

[tangentair]

I'm in northeast Wisconsin, where it's below zero and there's quite a bit of snow in the winter....

Now that is an understatement.
I used one big blue tarp 30 by something, bent electrical conduit into ribs like a
conestoga wagon and drapped the tarp over it, I secured the middle with a long strap and hung half full of water (which froze of course) gallon milk bottles off the other eyelets on the sides and laced the front and back closed. I also ran clothes line between the bent conduct to sort of stiffen everything - it didn't, and a couple of pieces of conduct across the top center of everything held in place with duct tape to act as a central beam. Shead the snow fine, but the spring rains managed to sag the tarp around the life lines and made a small lake over the front hatch. Still it was much cheaper than the shrink wrap I did last season. I think the tarp was around $50 at Home Depot and the conduit I had laying around. So $50 bucks a seaon is doable for me. I will recycle the conduit.

[Trouts Dream]

For the last 2 season I have dropped the mast and tarpped the boat with the modified pool cover that the PO had.
I live in Calgary, where we get a few wet heavy snowfalls and lots of wind (boat is stored at Ghost Lake in the Rocky Mountain foothills)
Lots of different ways of storing these boats in the winter ranging from literally nothing (Boat just behind me had no cover on the roller furler foresail and they will be looking for a new one now) to complete wrap and literally no boat showing, just wheels and a tongue.

Next year I am going to look at just covering the cockpit and leave the mast up with no foresail on it. I have to power wash my boat every spring anyway and I think the trailer can take any snow load accumulation. My conern has always been the mast being used as the main rib and snow accumulating on the tarp, especially between the mast and life lines and bending the mast.

Just my opinion but it seems kind of an all or nothing cover option, shed snow effectively or let it accumulate and clean the boat in the spring.

Any comments on which option people have tried.

[SkiDeep2001]

Maybe I should quit buying my tarps from Harbor Freight I know they are made in China As the old adage goes 'Ya gets what ya pays for'

[40Toes]

Any comments on which option people have tried.

PVC Frame put in place with a few rolls of electrical tape.....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35237847@N08/3492653350/

Tarped over and trimmed excess. Sewed webbing in every foot or so and tied it up like a boot! Snow and wind all winter and not a problem! Purchased everything at Princess Auto.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35237847@N08/3492653264/

Hopefully I did the picture right....

[c130king]

40toes,

Links to pics worked fine. I do something very similar for my boat in Florida...which is in storage while I am in the UK.

Built a "frame" of PVC that lays over the mast and is attached to the lifelines


Then covered everything with a heavy duty silver tarp from Harbour Freight


However, my Dad is telling me that my Tarp is ripping in many of the spots where it contacts the frame and the boat...from rubbing. And the tarp was bought Summer of 2008 so it is not even a year old yet. Darn, that Florida sunshine.

But tarps cost me around $150 per year...a cost I can live with.

Cheers,
Jim

[K9Kampers]

Here is my version:

PVC bows like what Tangentair describes. A built-up strongback keeps weight off the mast and adds more slope to help shed snow. In years past, I would create a tight spiderweb between each bow to prevent snow pockets from collecting. This past winter I did not...just kept the tarp fairly tight & pulled snow off before heavy accumulations. The bow bottoms attach to the waterline support with saddle Tees that snap in place. Regular Tees are staggered atop the strongback.

[Chinook]

I'm using a PVC frame system similar to above, and covering with a heavy duty tarp called a haytarp. They're manufactured locally, and are used to cover large stacks of hay bales. The tarp is white on the outside, gray on the underside, with heavy duty grommets installed along the edges. The material is waterproof and UV resistant. It is about twice as heavy as the silver tarps. Mine cost around $200. I use it as my winter cover. In the spring I remove it and put the PVC frame away. I have a lighter silver tarp which I put over the mast to keep sun, dirt and bird poop off when the boat is not in use. The silver tarp is lighter and easier to install and remove, and I figure the haytarp will last longer if not in use year around.

[Kelly Hanson East]

I have the cheapie HF blue tarps and they have lasted 4-5 seasons - cant remember how long I have had them. I use same tarp to haul leaves out of the yard in November. You guys in cities probably have more ozone than we do in the North, which really kills plastic stuff.