Covering boat for the Long Winter

[dlandersson]

Yeah, that's what I need to do.

Move to Florida, sail year around! Then you won't have to worry about covering/winterizing, just the darn barnacles! Capt. B!!

[cptron]

Live in SE North Carolina, winters are not too bad so don't worry about covering cause would take too long to uncover when we would get a good weekend. Have put mild heat in cabin to help with moisute.
We have found some leaks this summer we are going to have to address so I know i'll be busy this winter.

[dlandersson]

How big is your sofa?

Live in SE North Carolina, winters are not too bad so don't worry about covering cause would take too long to uncover when we would get a good weekend. Have put mild heat in cabin to help with moisute.
We have found some leaks this summer we are going to have to address so I know i'll be busy this winter.

[Russ]

So we went out and put the cover on Luna yesterday. Got some new photos. My PVC is getting old and warped, but it still works.

What I do is use duct tape to hold the PVC pipe in place. Cheap and effective. To keep the duct tape from sticking forever to the boat, I wrap the stanchions and lifelines with paper towel. Again, cheap and effective for the job.

The forward most piece is kind of warped now, but it keeps the arch over the foredeck. Maybe I'll but new ones next year ($1.25 for 10' pipe). I even use duct tape to hold the PVC in the center (see long strip around mast).



This is the 5th year with this and my tape is getting ugly.


Here you can see port stanchion wrapped in scrap of carpet to protect the cover. Looks like a mess, but it's coming together.

[Russ]

Place cover over the whole skeleton and lace it up with rope. I go under the entire trailer like a shoelace and pull the tarp tight. Every few grommets, I tied it off in case the rope breaks. After 5 years, I replaced the rope with new this year. Not bad. This is the second year for the tarp. I learned to protect it from pointy things with scraps of carpet this time. Some use tennis balls. I had free carpet available.


Nice and cozy inside. Ugly duct tape and carpet over stanchions, but the tension of the laced rope underneath keeps everying from moving.


Solar panel left installed to keep batteries topped off all winter. If I were really smart, I'd tilt it down to let snow run off.
I leave the aft somewhat open for some ventilation and access during the winter to check on things. Also tilt motor down so it can drain. I may cover the motor with something next time I go out and check on her.

[dlandersson]

Which size 10' PVC pipe do you use? 1/2" or 3/4"?

What I do is use duct tape to hold the PVC pipe in place. Cheap and effective. To keep the duct tape from sticking forever to the boat, I wrap the stanchions and lifelines with paper towel. Again, cheap and effective for the job.

The forward most piece is kind of warped now, but it keeps the arch over the foredeck. Maybe I'll but new ones next year ($1.25 for 10' pipe). I even use duct tape to hold the PVC in the center (see long strip around mast).

[Russ]

Which size 10' PVC pipe do you use? 1/2" or 3/4"?

1/2 "
Cheap Nd easy to bend.
Some folks have use electrical conduit.

[BlindGoofy]

This is our first winter with a boat, and we decided to go all out. Building a shelter along side my daughter's garage (we're apartment dwellers.)


Of course, I've had lots of help and advice from our two oldest grandsons!

[dlandersson]

Just put up my tarp cover, using PVC pipes to make a frame. Even used a PVC pole across the middle/top to make sure the weather/snow doesns't mess up the spacing.

Quite proud/impressed with myself. Would have only taken twice as long if my kids were helping.

Tarp it up for winter.

[Russ]

Just put up my tarp cover, using PVC pipes to make a frame. Even used a PVC pole across the middle/top to make sure the weather/snow doesns't mess up the spacing.

Without photos, it doesn't exist.

--Russ

[dlandersson]

True - but I was whupped. I'll get some later.

I was too

Just put up my tarp cover, using PVC pipes to make a frame. Even used a PVC pole across the middle/top to make sure the weather/snow doesns't mess up the spacing.

Without photos, it doesn't exist.

--Russ

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Wow, a thread that I posted in over 9 years ago is still active! I guess that is because it was a poll question and didn't get archived or closed or whatever this board does to old posts.

Covering my Mac was always too daunting of a challenge so now I have to live with gelcoat oxidation after close to 14 seasons in Florida. Maybe one of these days I'll wax it...

[topcat0399]

Yeah its cool how threads in this forum can span years.

Just finished tarping dasbOOt. 20 minutes later it started snowing.....


I used a method similiar to what RussMT shows above (thanks Russ). Also bought a single tarp that covers entire boat end to end.
I think its going to work out well - better than 2 single tarps and no frame. Took about 4 hours to do. No bungee cords this time either.

Ah winter - I miss sailing already.

Tarping up comes with a sadness about it.

[DaveB]

Mildew is first step, 50% Clorox 50% water . Spray on let sit 5 min. rinse off.
Wipe down with acitone to remove any wax.
Wet sand with 600 sandpaper than 1200 on heavy oxidation.
You are removeing oxidation buildup over the years.
Than use Nu-Finish polish 3 coats. Much cheaper than Marine Polish.
Lots of sanding and Polishing.
Should get it looking like a 3 year old boat.
Don't use a wax, only polish. will seal pores and prevent mildew were wax tracks mildew.
Dave

Wow, a thread that I posted in over 9 years ago is still active! I guess that is because it was a poll question and didn't get archived or closed or whatever this board does to old posts.

Covering my Mac was always too daunting of a challenge so now I have to live with gelcoat oxidation after close to 14 seasons in Florida. Maybe one of these days I'll wax it...

[mastreb]

dasbOOt. 20 minutes later it started snowing.....

Ha! My first boat was named "DOS Boot"