Boat Cover Suggestions?

[Steve]

I want to invest some time and money into a cover for my '99 Mac X. Tired of the gunk, and the Harbor Freight tarp just isn't cuttin' it. Any suggestions?

[extreem]

Try this site...http://www.sailorstailor.com/products.asp?cat=105

[Steve]

Wow, almost a $1000. Is there not a more affordable option?

Try this site...http://www.sailorstailor.com/products.asp?cat=105

[kmclemore]

Boat covers - good ones - for some reason draw a premium price. I've yet to find a good cheap one. I'm like you - I keep using Harbor Freight covers and I replace them every 2-3 years or so.

[c130king]

Boat covers - good ones - for some reason draw a premium price. I've yet to find a good cheap one. I'm like you - I keep using Harbor Freight covers and I replace them every 2-3 years or so.

Try every year down in Florida...they don't last for me...sun eats them up. My boat is currently sitting un-tarped until I get back in December for a few weeks.

Jim

[DaveB]

I to have tried many types of tarps and I only use the Gray heavy duty tarps down here in SW FL.
I buy them on sale at Northern tools or Harbor freight and costs $11 for 2-8x10 tarps on sale.
For that price I buy 6 for $33 and have enough for 2 yrs.
Dave

[Chinook]

I was only getting about 2 seasons with the big gray tarps they sell at Home Depot etc. I ended up buying a heavy duty tarp called a hay tarp. I got mine in Moses Lake WA. Local farmers use them to cover their stacks of baled hay. Cost about $200 for a 20 x 30 foot tarp. It's white on the outside, and has reinforced grommets. It's much heavier than the gray jobs. I made a pvc framework with 1 1/2 inch pvc pipe, which is free standing and can be disassembled for bundling and storage. I put the framework and haytarp up for winter storage. I've got 2 seasons on the haytarp so far, and it looks as good as new. I still throw a lighter gray tarp over the boat, without the pvc framework, for a summer cover,to cut down on sunlight damage and dust, dirt, bird droppings etc, in between cruising trips. This is working out to be a good boat cover system for me.

[SkiDeep2001]

Steve, I had the same issue with Harbor Freight silver tarps, they don't have a long life so I looked into trucking tarps. They are a little pricey ($400-$500) so I haven't jumped yet. I will check Chinooks idea though as I will be in Eastern Washington at the end of the month. What I did to extend the life of the silver tarps was, buy a new one and use the old one as a second cover to limit the UV damage. That way you get water proofing and a longer life out of the tarps. I have numerous vehicles (RV,cabover camper, ski boat, cars) that I keep covered so I have a pretty easy time having used tarps to use as a second cover. I did notice that the silver tarps from HF are not as thick as some other silver tarps out there but they are much cheaper also. The old adage, you get what you pay for is very applicable when it comes to tarps/covers. Rob

[davidbagnall]

Here is what I have works well... I use Shad Cloth Tarps.
These have proven to be very effective and durable. I have found that the don't flap in strong winds, and due to the air flow I have never had any mildew issues. So far I have had it on my boat for over two years and they still in very good condition and even though they do let a bit of water through I haven't found that the dirt and dust on the boat is that much different to using regular tarps. During summer, working under shade cloth is infinitely better than a regular tarp.
I use the Ultra tarps from http://www.oztrail.com.au/tarps/ and use a 12x12 and a 16 x 12 zip tied together and that covers the complete length of the mast so everything is under cover (including outboard). I think this could also be adapted for use on a hard stand as if you leave 6 foot of the zipped together tarps undone it should go around the mast.

[DaveB]

Rob, I use the silver tarps to keep the UV sun rays from damageing the old gelcoat that previous owner didn't protect in the harsh summer months here in SW FL.
I use the boat year round so the 3 - 8x10ft. tarps are very light weight and easy to remove.
They do last from May-October and will replace in spring as I don't cover boat during Fall thru Spring due to much more useage.
I have tried very expensive tarps includeing Sunbrella and the wind,rain just tears them up. I use chaffing material on stanchions and anything that could rub and also stitched 2 ply material over friction areas, to heavy and wear thru.
Cheaper for me to just pay the $20 a year coverage than spend 100's of dollars in a tarp that won't last.
Dave

Steve, I had the same issue with Harbor Freight silver tarps, they don't have a long life so I looked into trucking tarps. They are a little pricey ($400-$500) so I haven't jumped yet. I will check Chinooks idea though as I will be in Eastern Washington at the end of the month. What I did to extend the life of the silver tarps was, buy a new one and use the old one as a second cover to limit the UV damage. That way you get water proofing and a longer life out of the tarps. I have numerous vehicles (RV,cabover camper, ski boat, cars) that I keep covered so I have a pretty easy time having used tarps to use as a second cover. I did notice that the silver tarps from HF are not as thick as some other silver tarps out there but they are much cheaper also. The old adage, you get what you pay for is very applicable when it comes to tarps/covers. Rob

[Don T]

Hello,
I opted for a medium duty truck tarp, $400.00 delivered. I emailed them a drawing and they made it to plan. This material has not succumbed to any environmental affects yet. As I get older it does seem to get heavier, though not a problem yet. Has been covering the boat since 1997. That's it in the avatar>>>>>>>>>

[Steve]

ok sounds good. Any suggestions on how to keep the tarps from filling with water when it rains?

[JasonDW]

I have my 26m covered with Home Depot silver tarps as well (but am building a tall shed before winter hits). I keep the rain from pooling in the tarps by draping it over the mast, and the spreaders, but all other portions of the tarp go underneath the lifelines and around the stanchions. I have used twine through the grommets of the tarp down to stakes pounded into the ground to keep everything as tight as possible. It looks like heck, but it lets me sleep at night knowing that all droplets have a pathway off of the boat.

[Hamin' X]

Have a look here:

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 84#p152084

~Rich