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tomh
1st Mate

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USA
83 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/12/2012 : 07:44:54

Karma is currently stored on her trailer with the mast down sitting about 50 ft. away from western Lake Erie. When we put her away for the winter, I covered her with a 50' x 30' tarp that went over the entire boat and touched the ground. I ran lines through all of the grommets to lace the tarp down tight and took another line and tied it around the bottom of the hull to hold the tarp close to the hull.

While I thought that she was secure, the winds of hurricane Sandy blew the entire tarp off. I went to check on everything yesterday and found the tarp laying on the ground. The wind blew so hard that the grommets pulled out of the tarp.

Long term, I would like to get a winter cover that is cut to store with the mast up.

Short term, I'm wondering if I can leave the boat uncovered for 1 winter. I see a lot of boats in the marina that aren't covered. Everything is out of the boat that can be and it's locked up.

Any thoughts?

Tom

1978 C25 "Karma" #790
Toledo Beach Marina
LaSalle, Michigan

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2012 : 08:24:53

Make sure water cannot collect and stand as is will freeze and possibly do damage. Make sure the rudder is off and stored in a heated basement. Make sure the scuppers are clean. How will you keep them open and clear if it freezes?

If you get a lot of snow I'd assume you will have to shovel it out soon after the storm to avoid damage due to the weight of the snow in the cockpit. Could damage the hull where the pads support the hull or cockpit sole from the weight?

Personally, I'd cover with a better tarp, preferably with one that has a support structure to hold it up. Search the forum for pictures and stories on how to construct one.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2012 : 10:23:58

Tom, I've had success with tarps here in upstate N.Y. The secret after all the tying down and mast as lengthwise support was to throw a 1/2 " line over the tarp and string the line around the trailer frame. This year I left "Brandy" at the lake and had it shrink wrapped. Should have done this previously. Shrinkwrap even has a door so inside of boat can be checked on occasion.

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2012 : 11:22:40

I used a tarp with a PVC frame under it last season and it worked great. If you're not in a hurricane-prone area, I'd guess that, especially if you follow Bear's suggestion and secure the tarp across the top too, not just at the grommets, the tarp won't go anywhere. Shrink-wrap is a great way to go, too.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5371 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2012 : 20:10:05

I set up 4 1" PVC pipes that I suspend from the boom and bend them down into an arc and tie them off to the gunwales. Forward of the mast I run a horizontal 2x3 from the mast to the bow pulpit and tie down three more pieces of pipe. I place a 16x20 tarp behind the mast and a 16x16 tarp forward. I use all the eyelets to secure the tarps with lines running under the hull. I never tie off to the jackstands.
I would assume that a hurricane would tear a tarp off. But we only get those occasionally.
I can usually get 1-2 years out of a tarp. My sunbrella covers will last between 5-10 years. So, perhaps it pays to go for a custom-fit cover. Won't do it though.
I was talking to a guy in my boatyard who had a custom-made cover ONLY for the section around his mast and shrouds. The rest of the boat is covered with plain tarps that connect with the cover. He says it saved him a bundle.

Edited by - Voyager on 11/12/2012 20:14:12

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2012 : 15:02:15

Don't tie to the grommets (They will pull out) but instead put a tennis ball in the ends of the tarp then wad the tarp around the tennis ball like a lolly pop wrapper. Tie your tie downs to the wadded up tennis ball. Ditto on putting lines over the outside of the tarp and tie them to the trailer. Tip, Do this AFTER the Hurricane.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2012 : 20:33:59

Will the scuppers drain as she sits? Can you make sure the anchor locker will not flood due to a clogged drain? Ice is what can really hurt, it can lay a mountain low given enough time. What are your odds for ice build up? A small tarp across the cabin top will seal your main hatch area and windows.

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5371 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2012 : 20:55:21

For those who store their boats nearby their work or home, it pays to visit it weekly or biweekly during the off season just to keep an eye on things. I've found the even with a cover, fine wind-driven snow will get into the cockpit and collect there. Then you get the freeze and thaw - that's what can do the damage. Even if you live somewhat far from your winter yard, it's worth the trip from time to time.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 11/14/2012 : 20:00:19

FWIW, I use a wooden gin pole and trailer winch with strap to drop the mast every year. This makes it easy to cover the boat with two inexpensive rectangular tarps (a narrow one for the bow, and a wider one for the stern), instead of having to get an expensive custom cover. I did splurge on heavy duty silver tarps, which have survived 2 seasons with little wear, and should last this winter also. I support the tarp with the mast, a sawhorse in the cockpit, and a PVC pipe system that elevates the tarp on the bow. I also check on the boat every couple weeks, and be sure to knock snow off the cover if needed.

One change that I plan to make this year is to use bungee cords to secure the tarp. You'll see in the below pics that I used clothesline last year, and slight shifts in the position of the tarp caused these to loosen up, allowing the tarp to flap in the wind a little. I was constantly tightening them. The year before I had used bungees and this did not happen. So this year I plan to attach a clothesline messenger line in each grommet, long enough to bring the opposite sides about 2' apart under the boat, and then use a stretched bungee to connect them under the boat. FWIW, I have not had any problem with grommets pulling out, because the tarp is heavy duty and also the edge is reinforced with a bolt rope.

Here are a few pics from last year:

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Edited by - on

C25PYLOT
1st Mate

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69 Posts

Response Posted - 11/29/2012 : 14:52:21

Nice set up Take Five, I really like your PVC work. I'm adding that to my list!

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