Boat Covers - Tight or not so Tight?

[TulsaTime]

I'm a little concerned about storing my boat outside with a cover on it. Granted I'm not rich and really can't afford garage storage so I'm looking for advice on outside storage techniques in keeping the weather out. I do have a pretty nice cover but it is not custom, but I've got several other straps and tie down on it "hopefully" keep the water out. I thought about rigging up a maypole if you will and place in the center to achieve positive drainage off the cover. Any tips or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
PS. The boat is a 16' bayliner '86 model Capri bowrider w/ AQ131A / 275.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Boat Covers - Tight or not so Tight?

yep, it sucks being poor and having to store yer boat outside. but that's the way it is for lots of us i think. obviously, me included. while there's many ways to tarp a boat. i think the key is keep the water running down hill everywhere. and keep it taught so it don't get loose or flap in the wind. you'll need to come up with the best way to accomplish this for your boat..

i have a aftermarket semi custom cover i think. it sort of fits. mines a closed bow. i have a beach ball on the bow a small kickball on my roof and a pole with a flat plate behind the top. then i bungee cord the cover to my trailer. it's mostly taught.... no wind flapping, no water trapping as it runs off.. i travel coverless..

preping for winter i guess

in the winter, minus my small ball on the top which was an after thought....

yes, i have to brush the snow off as the angle isn't great enough for it to fall off... that keeps me in touch with my boat over the winter..

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: Boat Covers - Tight or not so Tight?

For what it's worth I'll tell you what I do. Mine stays out during the winter and after diff trials this works for me.

My cover is loose fitting. It is actually the largest size recommended.
(IE my boat is 17 ft and this cover is up to like 20 feet.) I made a center 12 foot long 3 feet high support. I put the cover on and any spots that could collect snow i put a support in that area too. Not raised, just to keep it level on the casting deck. I then put a tarp on top of my cover to keep the UV rays off the boat cover and to add a second layer of water protection. tie it down with the eyelets and she's good to go.

For summer I would find a water proof tarp and use it with your support rigging and keep your boat cover off. If your cover can be use during transport, keeping the UV off it will keep it from falling apart and make it last longer.
When my first cover split into 3 pieces on the road i learned my lesson. The material just split and all my seam stitching came apart because of the UV.

 

[BUHurricane]

Re: Boat Covers - Tight or not so Tight?

I store my boat outside as well. i use my mooring cover and i have to check it every so often to get the water off that formed puddles. No matter how well i think i have it covered, water and pieces of leaves get in. Its not easy. what i recommend if you have a few extra $$$ laying around is get the boat shrink-wrapped.

i worked at a marina for a few years and we did so many of these, they are very popular and relatively inexspensive. This is the best way to keep water out. You can look up the cost of a shrink-wrap if you are interested.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Boat Covers - Tight or not so Tight?

It is siimple physics -- "water runs downhill" so the solution is to get a good fitting cover and use whatever interior supports you need to "tent" the cover so water runs off and is not allowed to pool. Once a pool starts, it adds weight, the cover sags, creates a bigger pool and they can get so big that seams pop and you now have many gallons of water inside the boat. Raise the tongue jack so the bow of the boat is high and remove the drain plug so any water that does get in can drain out.

 

[TulsaTime]

Re: Boat Covers - Tight or not so Tight?

Thanks for all the tips and information. BUHurricane, I've never heard of Shrink-Wrapping, but that sounds like a great idea for winter storage or prolonged non-use. Do you know what this cost? A ball-part figure would be great.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Boat Covers - Tight or not so Tight?

I made a tall stand with a plastic pretzel jar on top to hold my cover up in the middle.
I've also used a large beach ball atop of a plastic trash can too. Anything to keep the cover high in the center to stop water, leaves, or snow from collecting.
I was using a tripod with half of a basket ball on top but we got a wet snow this past winter and the weight crushed the metal stand. (It think it was from a pair of work lights). After that I built one from wood.