To Cover Your Boat or Not

[Hotrod]

Excluding keeping debri out of your boat..  But those of you that store your boats at the marina.

Are you Shrink Wrapping them?  I know there are pros and cons..  What Are they?

Ive also seen them with Vents..

What do you guys do?

I won't be pulling out until December. and she will rest at the marina..  not sure if the 250$ cost is worth the 4 Months.

She will get a fresh coat of wax in April.

[CapBob]

I use a BLue Tarp that is big enough to have wrap around on all sides.

Pros:

I get 3-4 years out of same tarp

Allows air to flow through so no mold/mildew

I loosen one or two of the ties and can get underneth to work on boat in cold/wet whether

When tarp becomes non functional for covering boat I cut it into 1/4's to use as ground cloth when working under boat/Truck

Cons:

None

[Luna Sea 5]

Since the Luna Sea 3 was for sale last season, I decided to not cover it at all.  All I did was put the Center Console cover on and that was it.  I kept it uncovered in case I had to show it to a potential buyer..

Guess what...

NOTHING was wrong this season.  As long as you don't put it under a tree where branches and leave will clog the  drain, the boat is weather proof, more or less.  Save the money, don't bother.

Rod.. especially since you have a pilot house and all your important things are covered anyway.. I wouldn't bother. Your design boat is pretty much safe because of the locked pilot house.

[IrishAyes]

Uncovered, what you have to watch for is water from rain or snow getting onto your deck fixtures (inspection plates, etc) If this occurs, it can crack the deck and allow water to seep down into the wooden deck core. The wood will then rot and you will have a major repair .

Any water laying on the deck or any other surface can also freeze and cause problems.

Best to wrap as per CaptBob or get a custom cover made. Fisher Canvas makes a quality product that will last for ten years with no problems. They will allow air into the boat to keep the mold and mildew down. I have seen their product, and am not affiliated with them in any way. Just like what I saw.

http://www.fishercanvas.com/

[Hotrod]

Yea.  I would worry about Snow..  turning to ice.  that would in turn block the scuppers..  then a good heavy rain would create problems..

I'm liking the tarp idea..

Do you tarp or wrap Joe?

[The Broken One]

Since the Luna Sea 3 was for sale last season, I decided to not cover it at all.  All I did was put the Center Console cover on and that was it.  I kept it uncovered in case I had to show it to a potential buyer..

Guess what...

NOTHING was wrong this season.  As long as you don't put it under a tree where branches and leave will clog the  drain, the boat is weather proof, more or less.  Save the money, don't bother.

Rod.. especially since you have a pilot house and all your important things are covered anyone.. I wouldn't bother. Your design boat is pretty much safe because of the locked pilot house.

nicks got it right... boats were made to withstand the elements within reason...Winters here arent as harsh anymore, I dont stop uising my boat till early December maybe longer if conditions allow, then its back up and catching come March..... cover my console and am good to go....

[Maritime Matt]

I had a full cover made out of Sunbrella. I'm vigilant with brushing the snow off as soon as it stops.  Boats are made to stand up to the weather but as mentioned above, when you get that water freezing in all those little spaces and then a thaw and then a re-freeze, you gotta know that its just gonna cause problems down the road. My buddy made a wooden frame for his AquaSport. Covered it with a heavy duty plastic tarp. Works great. Shrinkwrap does have its place where needed. Capt.Matt

[Bucktail]

She will get a fresh coat of wax in April.

April?!  I think after the loooong winter, you'll have the bug by mid-March at the latest! 

[Duffman]

How much did you guys pay for your boats?  Not cheap is it?
  Why would you leave it exposed to the elements if you dont have to?  It takes enough abuse over the coarse of the fishing season.

[Luna Sea 5]

the abuse of the winter is nothing compared to the abuse a boat takes during the year.  Remember, the deck is water tight, self bailing, and made to take the elements.  EXAMPLE.. how many people leave there boats in the entire year.  Mostly the larger boats..  All there important electronics are covered, and only the deck remains open to the elements.  So, since we don't live in Canada, and our winters aren't really that harsh, IMO, and only my opinion, its a waste of money.  I have done it both ways already.  Snow on the deck is better then salt water, as long as your drains are not blocked.

[Capt Ron B]

I have done both. Last year I had it shrink wrapped and in years past I left it uncovered. I do have a center console cover though. Believe it or not, I found it cleaner in the spring when it was not covered. If I keep the boat I will not have it covered this fall.

[PeggyLee]

I usually remove some items from the boat and store in the shed,
Open all storage compartments for air flow.
Put the blue,or silver cover on loosely with enough pitch to allow the rain and snow to fall off with a little of my help.Secure cover to trailer so that I can take a peak when necessary.
Chock the trailer wheels. All while I BLAST my Music.HeHeHe
and KISS HER GOODNIGHT!!!!     Stay well,AJ.   

[Wreckfish]

I use the blue trap.  No problems really to speak of . If you have rocket launcher on top put something between the launchers and the tarp.  Piece a foam or something to prevent the launcher from wearing through the trap on those winding days.  I bungee the tarp to the frame.  After I take it off I try to fold it so it make it easy to put on next year. I also mark my trap with a sharpie marker "Front" so when I a starting point for next year.  When your wrestling a 50ft x 30ft tarp every little advantage helps. ~ Phil

[DarthBaiter]

Cover it, the leaves will block your scuppers and you will have a block of ice in your boat.

I bought a cover from Carver and it has served me well for over 4 seasons and still going strong. That works out to less than $100 each season I've used it so far. 

[Pops Soul]

I cover mine with a Silver grade tarp bought at Harbor freight, they have a 50% of sale once or twice a year. I made a simple frame of 3 inch PVC as long as the boat with two 3 inch 90's, one 3 inch coupling, and two 3 inch closet flanges to rest on the deck. 3 pieces of rope tied of to the stern, midship,and bow cleats and wrapped around the pipe hold it in place. The frame protects my antennas and mast head light. I made a drawing  I hope it helps, I'm no artist 

[Hotrod]

Cool.  I didn't know etch a sketch went digital

[Pfishingruven]

Cool.  I didn't know etch a sketch went digital

I am still trying to learn how to make stick boats !!

 

[wb]

I cover. I keep an eye on the cover too. It's too much of an investment to not. I have shrink wrapped when storing @ the marina but am tarping this year in the yard. Figure a couple years of that pays for a nice trailer.

[PeggyLee]

Pops Soul Skip. I basically do the same as you in the frame(but I use 1.1/2"fence pipe),with some variations.Works fine too!!
With all the money I have saved in these years I'll be able to but some gas for my lawnmower. . Stay well,AJ.

[Stray Cat]

Here is what I did