$25 tarp vs $500 cover

[ricohman]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

One word CATS. Won't get in with a custom made.
If you go with a tarp cover the deck with Kitty Litter. It will not only keep your boat dry but it will, also, be easier to clean up after the cat.

I haven't seen a cat roaming around here in years. Racoons, skunks, badgers, gophers, squirrels, porqupines, bears, moose and deer are more like it.
It poured last night and my boat is bone dry inside. The $25 tarp beats the $500 Carver cover easily in the "rain" portion of this test.

 

[gtochris]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

I understand the expensive leaky cover issue- my cockpit/ bow cover leak at the windshield and various corners where they connect- it stinks!
A tarp wont damage your boat as long as it is secured tight and not flapping against the body.

 

[Maclin]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

I usually put a "sacrificial" tarp over my form fitting cover for the winter. I use tarp clips to fold the tarp into a more or less form fitting shape. This is for longer winter layups when I may not be able to get to the boat very often to check.

 

[SDSeville]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

I use a tarp also. My $300 cover faded and leaked after about a year. With all the time I put in to restore this boat, I was not going to use anything that would let a drop of water in.

I buy a $21 tarp at Harbor Freight, which is only $17 after the 20% off coupon that is easy to find. I then cut it to the approximate size of my old cover and add my own tie down hooks to pull tight at the right places. Since I add my own tie down hooks, I do not even need to use the cover support I used with my $300 cover.

As far as breathing -- I pull it back a couple inches from the very front of the bow (see pic). This leaves a nice vent for air to blow through, but is still 100% waterproof. With even a slight breeze, you can see the tarp slightly moving all day long as the wind goes through the boat.

Sorry about the lousy pic. I ran out and took it this morning when I read this thread and the sun was pretty bad.


The tarps have been lasting me about 9 months each. Then I just fork out another $17 and trace the old one.

I agree that if you spend the right amount of money, you surely will find a cover that does everything you want. I do fall into the category someone mentioned above -- 20+ year old boat, not going to spend $600 on a cover.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

I usually put a "sacrificial" tarp over my form fitting cover for the winter.

That's a common practice around here too.....