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Planning ahead

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/14/2006 : 08:35:05

This will be my first winter w/ my boat (we are out on Long Island). I plan to have a marina haul and bottom wash, then there are a few out of the water projects I plan on - keel cable replacement, etc... What are some learned opinions on shrink wrapping? I was planning on leaving the mast up, as there's no reason to drop it (that I currently know of). I am a little concerned about snow/ice in the cockpit. What say ye?
Many thanks!
Jerry

Jerry

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 08:50:47

I used to go to the boat with a child's plastic snow shovel and dig out the cockpit and check the bilge after a big snow... Shrink-wrapping seems to have minuses to go with the plusses, so I never spent the bucks, and Passage never seemed to mind. (You have to build a frame.) Friends used tarps, and stuff always got under them...

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 10:23:52

Wow, the first topic on winter storage...I think I'm going to throw up!

Jerry,

First, I've never had a boat shrink wrapped so I don't know the pros and cons, but for me, the cost is the deal breaker.

As an alternative to shrink wrap, for the first two seasons I owned North Star, I dropped the mast and carefully constructed a tent to cover the boat from stem to stern, but that didn't stop Mother Nature from doing her thing. I experienced torn tarps, the occasional two ton frozen pool, black marks on the hull from rubbing ropes and tarp, and other annoyances. Additionally, even though the whole boat was covered, the deck in the Spring still managed to be covered with filth.

With the mast still up, I now just place a tarp directly on the cabintop. This tarp covers from just in front of the mast to about the winches with the back part sloping down from the cabintop. Under this tarp, I use swim noodles with a hollow center that are slit from end to end then slipped over the handrails and hatch handle to prevent chafe. I also put a few fenders on top of the sliding hatch to keep the tarp from touching the teak hatch slides. Next I use another tarp to form a boom tent.

Surprisingly, the boat doesn't collect as much filth now even though the only thing covered is the cabintop and since the aft part of the cockpit is exposed, the sun is able to melt snow or ice that may collect in there.

A few hints...

I tilt my cradle so the bow is about 8" higher to allow any water to easily flow off the deck and cockpit.

On tarps, use bungees where you can. They have more give and don't stress the tarps as much as rope does. Also, do not allow ropes or bungees to touch the gelcoat to prevent black marks and gelcoat wear.

Check the boat occassionally, especially while the fall leaves are coming down, to ensure the cockpit drains remain clear and to prevent leaf stains.

Edited by - on

joegeiger
1st Mate

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USA
63 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 14:05:45

I have always dropped the mast and used it as the main support for a large 30'x 20' tarp. I tie towels to the tops of the stantions to prevent puncturing the tarp and then lace clothes lines back and forth from the lifelines to the mast for support. I make this web pretty tight so that the water doesn't get much of a change to build up. The tarp then gets drapped over the entire length of the boat and is secured by lacing the tarp like a shoelace across the bottom and closing the front and back. I do get some dirt under the tarp but it keeps most of the water and UV rays off the boat. The height of the mast above the boat should be enough to give you a steep angle so stuff just slides off. I've done it this way for 2 years now and the only problem I had was last year, one of my stantions got bent because I didn't elevate the mast high enough over the cockpit. The only other drag is that my marina charges by the foot so during the winter I get charged for a 29' boat instad of a 25 footer. It's a lot cheaper than shrink wrapping and you can still easily access the cockpit from the stern swim ladder and get into the cabin.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 14:15:49

Take it home for the winter, it is a great place to have a boat.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 15:03:58

I use a tarp system similar to Don. I build a wood frame our of 1x2 and 1x1 pine), which I use from season to season, and tarp only the topsides from from stem to stern. My goal is to keep the snow off, which is considerable here in northern Michigan. While the goal is achieved, I do have an annual cleaning and waxing chore every spring. It's a given for most of us no matter how well we cover up for the winter.

Edited by - on

frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 21:16:46

There is a very good article on this very project in the August Mainsheet, which arrived today, in the tech tips section Catalina 380/390. Very detailed and a provides a steep cover so snow just slides off. I think that is the purpose.

Edited by - on

djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2006 : 22:23:33

We need to stop talking about snow....you're killin' my buzz

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2006 : 10:38:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by djn
 We need to stop talking about snow....you're killin' my buzz

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2006 : 13:12:51

My website has some snapshots of a custom cover that covers 80% of the deck and cockpit areas. It just does not fully cover the bow area. It was made by a local sailmaker in the Alexanfria , VA area. IT's about 3 yrs old and PO indicated it cost about $900.

I sailed this past winter and would take the cover off for a few days and then put it back on. When it did snow, sometimes I would brush the snow off and then it would be fairly dry to store it the next day when I then sailed.

Edited by - on

ajski1000
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 09/13/2006 : 21:37:59

Guys what is the correct/safe pressure to be using when power washing the gunk off the bottomside?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2006 : 09:28:13

We have a 2500 psi gas unit at our club and we are all carefull to use a broad spray tip so we don't eat the glass. Check this out
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=BuyGuide/pressurewasher.html

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2006 : 11:11:08

When you take your boat out of the water, your bottom paint will be soft. If you use a powerwasher you can quite easily remove all your bottom paint.

If you pressure wash, take it easy. A garden hose with a good nozzle and decent water pressure should be sufficient.

Also, I saw a Zodiac at the lake that had been pressure washed, it looked like it had an encounter with a giant cheese grater.

Edited by - on

ajski1000
1st Mate

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USA
52 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2006 : 21:32:00

Frank,

Thanks for the link.
I have a 1500psi electric unit, I suppose when I haul out the boat ill just start with the lowest setting and increase as necessary.

thanks

Edited by - on

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.