My winter cover

[gtochris]

My neighbors were complimenting me on my winter cover so I wanted to show off my work.
I know some people think a tarp is no good because it could flap however done right, it's just as effective as shrink wrap, re-usable, and more cost efficient.
My frame is 2x4 with rope attaching across to various hardware spots on the deck for support, every sharp spot on the boat is padded.
The tarp is a 20x24' and tied beyond tight under the hull and trailer. With all the wind we have had- the cover barely even flutters at all. The boat is completely dry inside and I never get mold or dirt come spring.

Of course one can't go towing it down the highway like shrinkwrap and this did take a few hours to construct but the tarp cost $50 and I normally get 2 years before I just replace so $25 a year isn't bad.
-Chris

 

[savetexomabeaches]

looks good.. now ya just need to get the tires off the dirt

 

[Tnstratofam]

Nice! :thumb:

I'm getting ready to build a frame to tarp a Jupiter I have awaiting restoration.

We use a cheap cover from Wally World on the Super Sport just because it's convenient and " Cheap".

The Stratos is garage kept.

 

[gtochris]

looks good.. now ya just need to get the tires off the dirt

Good notice,
I have them on boards, I'm likely moving the boat to the other side of our property and will wrap them in plastic so they aren't exposed to the UV.

 

[R055]

Good notice,
I have them on boards, I'm likely moving the boat to the other side of our property and will wrap them in plastic so they aren't exposed to the UV.

If they're new tires, wash them and some 303 aerospace protectant would work great before wrapping in plastic. Or instead of plastic you can buy the nicer wheel covers.

 

[wrvond]

Plastic garbage can lids make excellent tire covers.

 

[R055]

Plastic garbage can lids make excellent tire covers.

Wife: where did the garbage can lids go?
Gilchrist: I don't know...

 

[Watermann]

My neighbors were complimenting me on my winter cover so I wanted to show off my work.
I know some people think a tarp is no good because it could flap however done right, it's just as effective as shrink wrap, re-usable, and more cost efficient.
My frame is 2x4 with rope attaching across to various hardware spots on the deck for support, every sharp spot on the boat is padded.
The tarp is a 20x24' and tied beyond tight under the hull and trailer. With all the wind we have had- the cover barely even flutters at all. The boat is completely dry inside and I never get mold or dirt come spring.

Of course one can't go towing it down the highway like shrinkwrap and this did take a few hours to construct but the tarp cost $50 and I normally get 2 years before I just replace so $25 a year isn't bad.
-Chris

Looks great, should keep the snow from piling up and water from puddling. You came up just a bit short at the stern. Are you able to drop the LU down more for the final storage location? That would keep water/ice from filling the exhaust and take some stress of the bellows.

 

[savetexomabeaches]

Going to pull prop and wrap with plastic? Or going to pull entire drive?

 

[gtochris]

Looks great, should keep the snow from piling up and water from puddling. You came up just a bit short at the stern. Are you able to drop the LU down more for the final storage location? That would keep water/ice from filling the exhaust and take some stress of the bellows.

I was able to get things a bit tighter in the stern after that photo and wrapped the drive in plastic. Unfortunately I needed to leave the drive 6" up so I can move the boat around, I normally try and get it all the way down all the time. I did dump it all the way down before trimming up so no water in it before covering the hub.

 

[82rude]

I use one of those contractor bags from home depot for my lower .I believe those bags could survive a direct hit from a nuke.

 

[bruceb58]

Do not spray anything on the tires. Best thing is to store on jack stands with no weight on the tires.

I use these for covers
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-pc-st...ers-61841.html

Keep your sterndrive stored all the way down if possible.
EDIT: I see you can't because you need to move it.

 

[R055]

I use one of those contractor bags from home depot for my lower .I believe those bags could survive a direct hit from a nuke.

Your wallet might not be able to take the direct hit from those bags though I think they're like 18.99 a box now. Jokes aside those contractor bags are pretty handy and almost impossible to rip without trying.

 

[roffey]

so I got to ask, what's wrong with dirt on the tires and leaving them on the ground? Serious question and don't beat me up to much, lol.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

so I got to ask, what's wrong with dirt on the tires and leaving them on the ground? Serious question and don't beat me up to much, lol.

Ground contact during storage could speed up the dry rot. Trailer tires rarely wear out, they usually dry rot. I use concrete pavers on my enclosed trailer to keep the tires high and dry. Keeping weight off the tires helps keep the tires from having flat spots. But that's only if stored in the same spot for a very long time IMO. Since you move the trailer around you'll be ok. Old bias tires would take a few miles to work out the flat spots if they say for an extended period of time. Would bounce the living tar out of you until they did. I like to put my boat trailer tires up with jack stands under the axles in my garage over winter.

 

[wrvond]

so I got to ask, what's wrong with dirt on the tires and leaving them on the ground? Serious question and don't beat me up to much, lol.

It depends on who you ask. Some people believe that leaving the tires sitting on grass/dirt will draw the oils out of the rubber, causing dry rot. Others believe that leaving the tires sitting on tarmac will draw the oils out of the rubber, causing dry rot. Some believe leaving the tires sitting on concrete will dray the oils out of the rubber, causing dry rot.
Now, Bruce's suggestion to get the tires off the ground using jack stands will accomplish a few things - first, it will help prevent flat spots on the tires, though flat spots are not a permanent condition; second, if a tire does lose it's air, it won't sit all crumpled up under the weight of the rim, possibly collecting rain water; third, if you put it up on jack stands and store the tires in the garage, it will make the boat harder to steal.
I have two travel trailers, two boats, and an enclosed utility trailer. Storing them on the grass does nothing but kill the grass underneath. Storing them on the driveway (tarmac surface) keeps my feet cleaner, but that's about it. I've never stored any of them on stands, though I do consider it every now and then.

 

[roffey]

I store my boat in my garage over winter and do not jack the tires off the concrete, maybe I should?

 

[savetexomabeaches]

Mine starts to sink in the dirt/grass -- Then they start squatting down and water/mud forums around them. So I started putting concrete under the tires.

 

[bruceb58]

first, it will help prevent flat spots on the tires, though flat spots are not a permanent condition

I had a tire fail at the flat spot so that is why I jack them up.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Very nice job, I've been doing the same thing for years. I get 3-4 years out of cheap blue tarps tying them up tight like that. You did great, but (ahem ) - you need to fix those loose tails...

Go to Walmart and get some of these:

Be sure to get ^ THEM ^ and NOT THESE---.

--the 'slider' style won't hold squat. The screw clamps you can - and should - tighten them down with pliers. They absolutely will NOT let go. The tarp will rip around them first. I usually use one of these between the grommets too. I bet I have over 100 of these in use securing the tarps on my Party Cruiser and the Regal...

Anyway, just bunch together the loose spots and clamp them together. And since they have rope holes, you can add more windproofing by tying them off.