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winter cover idea

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newell
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/29/2008 : 15:28:08

I wanted to try this idea out and see if anyone has done it. To build a winter cover from scratch is a big job. I wonder about the purchase of two 5x25 foot canvas tarps, putting a string of fasteners down one side on each of them and then snapping them together around the mast from the bow to the cockpit. Would this work? Would the type of canvas used in commercial tarps last for very long in the winter sun?

What do others think of this idea??

newell

Newell
1980 C25 SR/SK
AVALON

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2008 : 15:57:13

I think the canvas tarps would work but, given the relative expense, not worth the effort. I think they'll be significantly heavier than the poly tarps that are popular. you're planning to leave the mast up. Are you going to leave the boom attached? If so, you could use it as a ridge pole to give a little pitch to the tarp to shed water/ice/snow.

I think lacing 2 together is an interesting idea. It'll make getting around the mast easier. You still have the shrouds to contend with though.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2008 : 16:28:36

I have 2 very large reinforced plastic tarps (~ 20' X 25' each) which I used for 5 years betwen 1980-85 for when I winter stored my 1980 ODay 23. Since the tarps were so large, there really was no reason to have snaps to connect them together. I just attached lines to the ring holes that were in the corners and draped it past the mast with the lines attached forward of the tarp to the underside of the boat. I used tubing and fittings for the support structure. Those reinforced plastic tarps are heavy duty and showed no deterioration and very resistant to rips. When I sold the boat, I then used the tarps sometimes for camping trips. I would use it as the bottom ground cover under the tent when I used my large tent. Those tarps are now...over 25 years old and as good as new.

Edited by - OLarryR on 10/29/2008 16:29:38

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 10/29/2008 : 17:23:43

If you use Canvas I'd make sure that it was supported away from any possible contact with fiberglass or even the rub rail, because canvas is abrasive and will work like sandpaper in a high wind.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 00:03:48

Is that also true of Poly tarps? Is it best to wax the hull and topsides before applying the tarps?

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 07:54:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 Is that also true of Poly tarps? Is it best to wax the hull and topsides before applying the tarps?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
When two objects constantly rub against each other the harder object will wear away the softer (OK,OK,Get your mind out of the gutter

I'm trying to be serious here!)Polytarps are much lighter, softer and smoother than canvas so I think, they are less likly to severly abrade fiberglass. At least that's been my experience.

Edited by - Renzo on 10/30/2008 07:55:53

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 08:13:11

I have a custom canvas cover for my boat (thanks to the previous owner) and this is my fifth winter with it. I've seen no indication that the canvas wears or damages the gelcoat.

I've used cheap plastic tarps, shrink-fitted boat covers, and canvas, and none of them last forever. You can get either good or cheap plastic tarps and good or cheap canvas tarps, and the good ones last longer than the cheap ones. Cold plastic tends to become brittle and it doesn't stretch much. I've had them whipped to shreds before I was finished installing them. Canvas remains soft and stretchy in cold weather. For that reason, protrusions, such as the tops of your lifeline stanchions, are less likely to poke holes through canvas. To reduce that possibility further (whether you use plastic or canvas covers), I used to wrap an old sock or underwear over the top of each stanchion, and secure it with a plastic zip tie.

I think the more important concern is to figure out a quick, easy way to cover the boat in the least amount of time, because you often have to do it alone, and usually in either the spring or fall, when it's likely to be cold and/or rainy and/or windy. I built wooden devices to elevate the mast about 12-15" above the bow and stern pulpits, and re-used them every year. I put the tarps over the boat and tied them on using a version of the trucker's hitch. (My version uses a slip knot to secure the line, and, when it's time to remove it in the spring, all I have to do is go around and pull the end of each line to untie it and remove the tarp.)

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 12:32:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 For that reason, protrusions, such as the tops of your lifeline stanchions, are less likely to poke holes through canvas. To reduce that possibility further (whether you use plastic or canvas covers), I used to wrap an old sock or underwear over the top of each stanchion, and secure it with a plastic zip tie.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Try using old tennis balls on top of the stanchions. Just make a couple of slits on one side and slide down over the top of the stanchion.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 12:44:52

Also you can get closed cell foam and make "caps" for things like the ends of spars, and any wooden supports holding your mast as a ridge-pole.

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 13:14:42

Just a few words on canvas. Traditional canvas sometimes referred to as Duck is made from organic fibers like cotton. This product was also treated with a wax for waterproofing. The old heavy green tarps have a good life span as long as you put them away dry. As for the cover rubbing on the boat, Renzo and Voyager are correct, it is abrasive. The green wax impregnated in the canvas can also do a pretty good job of marking up your hull. Another product you can find is a polyester cotton blend, most of these are wax free. The thing to remember is the suns UV rays are the main cause of degradation in all canvas type products. The polyester will add to the strength and longevity, with a reduced weight, but it is still a heavy product. Poly tarps are light and inexpensive, but are made from polypropylene which does not fair well from UV rays. You might look into a product called Aqualon; it is light very strong and holds up well to the sun. I live in Michigan (which is Indian for land of no sun), but this product is widely used in Florida. My cover is made from this and is in its 10 season, (it is still in great condition). Any canvas shop should be able to find this for you, but be sure to cover your boat in such a way to allow adequate ventilation. By the way this is my first post, Great site --- Glen

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 13:57:29

Welcome, Glen and thanks for the tip! [url="http://www.glfi.com/marinecatalog_aqualonpage.htm"] Aqualon Marine Fabric[/url]

Edited by - John Russell on 10/30/2008 14:00:27

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 15:16:48

Hi Glen and welcome aboard. I live in Michigan also and wonder if you would like to crew on my boat next season. My curent race crew is getting old and slow and I could use a smart young guy like you.

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 15:59:27

Depends how much beer you have (after the race)--- Glen

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 10/30/2008 : 18:20:15

The reinforced rip stop plastic tarps I mentioned above were not your normal light plastic tarps. I do not know what they would cost these days but probably a small fortune. They last forever ! I wish I could mention more about what exactly they are made from or where I bought them but I do not remember. Having them for over 25 years will do that to you. Now they were not out in the sun for all those years. They were seasonly used for 5 years initially - exposed to the sun. Then they had sporadic use up to the present with limited UV exposure.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5418 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2008 : 21:41:43

The issue of UV destruction of poly tarps leads me to wonder whether there's any kind of sunscreen you can spray on or rub on to prevent deterioration. I wonder whether I can just smear the tarp with my SPF50 coppertone?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/31/2008 : 22:44:08

Bruce, you'll spend more on Coppertone than for a new poly-tarp every 3-4 years. (You didn't get the custom cover Bill V-A had made for Passage?) Incidentally, I've heard that the standard medium-blue color for poly-tarps, as for boat canvas, is intended to maximize UV-resistance.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2008 : 17:18:42

I live in the North East; winters are harsh.

Last winter was my first winter with my boat covered in poly tarp. I made a frame from PVC and interlaced rope between the life lines on both sides of the boat to the top of the PVC. The PVC frame made it past the winter, but any spot the tarp touched the boat, such as stanchions, top part of PVC connectors caused the tarp to wear. If I continue to tarp my boat, I must expect holes. after the winter season. I'll try the tennis ball idea mentioned above.

I'll have to replace the 30 dollar tarp each season. Sure wish I had indoor storage.

Good ideas.

Best,
Deric

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 11/01/2008 : 17:29:20

I just put a poly tarp on Kaija this afternoon. The PO gave me a couple of supports he made for the mast so that I can use the mast as a ridge pole and walk under it in the cockpit and crawl on deck. I used cordage to act as "rafters" from lifeline to lifeline, over the mast. I spaced the "rafters" about 18-24 inches apart.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2008 : 07:46:04

iboats.com is having a sale on odd lot boat covers. May want to check it out. I also posted a new thread in the general section with the same announcement and added pics from my boat cover project last year modifying a power boat cover to fit the C-25. Whole thing cost me less than $100.

Edited by - on

KiteKraemer
Navigator

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191 Posts

Response Posted - 11/26/2008 : 19:37:19

Here's what I did: Don't know what to do about snow or ice.. I don't have electrical in the lot and if it builds up....

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newell
Navigator

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USA
113 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2008 : 07:25:07

Since I started this thread, I suppose I ought to let everyone know what I have discovered. My original problem was to cover the boat with the mast up and how to get the tarp to fit properly. I was going to make a tarp from scratch with a zipper in it BUT you can actually buy self stick zipperrs for poly tarps!! A revelation to me and so now I am going to put a couple of zippers into my existing poly tarp.Problem solved!

newell

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/27/2008 : 07:56:55

Where do you get self-stick zippers?

Edited by - on

ed_spengeman
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2008 : 11:22:03

SPICEY

Just saw one of the guys trailer cover from last year. It was new from Sailors Tailor in OH and went for about $800. It was designed for mast-up and has a Bunch of pieces and snaps. Looks like brand new. They make a quality product and now have a template.

Ed

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KiteKraemer
Navigator

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191 Posts

Response Posted - 12/08/2008 : 21:17:25

Any ideas out there for how I can keep the snow/ice off the tarp without electricity? After a couple of mods I think I'm comfortable--but going away for a week in Jan. Kinda worried that any snow could bend or damage the stantions. Anyone have that problem?

Edited by - on

Breezy Cat
1st Mate

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38 Posts

Response Posted - 12/08/2008 : 21:27:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by KiteKraemer
 Any ideas out there for how I can keep the snow/ice off the tarp without electricity? After a couple of mods I think I'm comfortable--but going away for a week in Jan. Kinda worried that any snow could bend or damage the stantions. Anyone have that problem?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I no longer run the tarp over the stantions. Using blue tarps I cut a slit and run the tarp straight down to the gunnel around the stantions.
The stantions stand outside the tarp. This not only relieves any pressure on the stantions it makes the slope of the tarp much steeper and snow doesn't build up.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 12/08/2008 : 22:33:27

I have a couple of supports that hold my mast up high enough to provide standing head room in the cockpit. There's one in the cockpit that's about 6' tall (maybe a little more) and another that sits on the deck at sufficient height to hold the mast level. This corresponds to the height of the mast support mounted on the gudgeons and extended to its highest point. This has the effect of making the mast a "ridge pole" that provides enough pitch to the tarp to shed snow over the stanchions.

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