Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

[frankrom]

Hi Guys,

I am looknig to hear from experience people regarding parking my boat in my driveway with a proper cover and or a tarp.

I do not have a garage to park my boat ... this is what I was thinking though.

During the winter I would park the boat in an indoor storage facility. But during the summer when I am using the boat every weekend or every other weekend I want to park it in my driveway and trailer it. I know the SUN can be ver damaging to a boat and I do not want to make my boat subject to this. If i use the proper boat covers is this enough? If not would a boat cover and a tarp be enough to prevent the boat from damaging?

IF NOT... what can I do to store it in my driveway so I do not have to pay for storage 12 months of the year and have to travel to pick it up everytime i want to use it.

Thank you!

Frank

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

This is a question of degrees. Something is better than nothing - as in a tarp is better than nothing, a universal cover is better than a tarp, a custom cover is better than a universal, a soft building is better than a cover, and a garage is better than a soft building. Bottom line, you should have two goals.

1. Keep sun and rain off it.
2. Allow it to dry out when it does get wet.

As for how you accomplish these two, that's up to you. A good cover that fits well, is waterproof, and breathes well will certainly do the job.

 

[Philster]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

Boats kept indoors during useful seasons = lucky and relatively uncommon

Boats stored under covers during useful seasons = pretty darn common

If the cover breathes, and protects the sides, you are good to go. Keep up on regular care and use the boat.

 

[frankrom]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

This is a question of degrees. Something is better than nothing - as in a tarp is better than nothing, a universal cover is better than a tarp, a custom cover is better than a universal, a soft building is better than a cover, and a garage is better than a soft building. Bottom line, you should have two goals.

1. Keep sun and rain off it.
2. Allow it to dry out when it does get wet.

As for how you accomplish these two, that's up to you. A good cover that fits well, is waterproof, and breathes well will certainly do the job.

I see... so even with a FULL custom cover and something over top... it may still not be enough? anyone else able to send a link to a cover which may do the job that I need?

litterly a garage is not a option because i do not have one!

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

This is a question of degrees. Something is better than nothing - as in a tarp is better than nothing, a universal cover is better than a tarp, a custom cover is better than a universal, a soft building is better than a cover, and a garage is better than a soft building. Bottom line, you should have two goals.

1. Keep sun and rain off it.
2. Allow it to dry out when it does get wet.

As for how you accomplish these two, that's up to you. A good cover that fits well, is waterproof, and breathes well will certainly do the job.

Good advice all around.

The "portable" garages you can get at Harbor Freight and similar stores can be a good idea if the proper conditions exist; those being 1) you can stand the sight of them in your yard/driveway, etc, 2) you have a size boat that will actually fit in one, and 3) you don't plan to use them all winter in an area that has significant snowfall (they wont bear the weight). Since you mentioned indoor storage for the winter, a portable garage could suit you. One is certainly not neccessary but will provide 5 sides of UV protection and keep water off the surface of the boat and any actual boat cover you use, while allowing air to circulate around the boat. Remove the boat cover and open up the garage doors on nice days to get some fresh air in there.

I used one to store my race car for a few seasons until I got it into a garage, and it fared well.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

What hurts a boat most is lack of attention.

A well maintained boat, used normally and stored properly under a good tarp will ultimately be fine. A unattended boat hardly used stored in a garage won't do so well. An unattended boat under a tarp, and hardly used is a sure "goner." You get the idea...

 

[LuvBoating]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

When we lived in a "snowbelt" area AND owned a house that had a 3-car garage, we kept our 16' Bowrider in the garage most of the time. During the summer months there were times, after we'd take it out on a Saturday AM, that we'd leave it hooked up to our vehicle and parked in front of our house so we could take it out on Sunday AM. We never had a cover on it while it was sitting in the garage.

The boat we have now, we have to keep it in a RV/Boat Storage lot. During the first 2 yrs we owned it, we only used a Deck Cover. Didn't give it much of a thought about getting a full cover, that is until we had to replace the floor in our cuddy cabin! Right after that, we bought a nice boat cover. Now we use both the Deck Cover and the full boat cover and both of those sure keep the rain water out of our boat! And, btw, we now live in northeast Florida in an apartment complex that has no boat parking, so the storage lot is a must. It's kept outside, but we don't have the winter weather here like we did in Colorado.

 

[ssobol]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

My boat is stored outdoors with a tarp from Home Depot. I get one large enough to cover the top and all sides. I tailor the tarp and add extra grommets for tie downs. Takes an afternoon to do it.

The tarp will usually last a year. I put a new one on in the fall when I finish with the boat for the season. The tarp probably would last longer if sprayed with a UV protectant.

The tarp for my boat from HD costs around $30. For the price of a custom cover you can buy a lot of tarps. Probably still have money left for tarps when your custom cover wears out.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

there is no answer to this question, primarily because there is no information. This is like "should I keep my Taurus in the garage, under a carport, under a car cover, under a plastic tarp, or out in the weather?" There is absolutely nothing "wrong" with any choice (except maybe the plastic tarp); a garage is best but seldom worth it.

What boat? Lots of boats are made for outdooor use and do not need covers at all, or perhaps only partial covers. Some fragile boats have to be covered all the time. let's assume we're not talking about a restored vintage show-quality boat here.

What conditions? Virginia mountains, Arizona desert, coastal barrier island? At least we know it's a summertime question.

Also, what's the condition at the driveway? Trees? shade? open air? coal dust? And pollen/sap--right now, for where I live, a cover is more important than in July. Is there a shady side/alternative to the driveway? Morning sun is nothing; all day sun for the wrong boat in some places is a problem.
Also, in a high salt/high rain area, you may be better off uncovered so the boat can dry out, than covered and trapping moisture and inevitable leaks.

What are your standards of care? Does your boat have to look "shiney new" forever, or are you OK with it looking like a boat of its age?

What's the boat's current condition--looking new, or 20 years old?

Cost/benefits analysis: is a $700 high quality cover worth it? Depends on all of the above considerations. Tarps are cheap but don't always work well. And they can look like crap--are aesthetics important?

Limitations: Is it legal to have a tarped boat in the driveway?

OPtions: how about just seat covers? a console cover? of course it depends on the boat.

I have one boat covered all the time, two boats never covered, one with just the console covered. Year round. I am not doing it wrong--for my situations. Can't say about yours, nor can anyone else here.

Note to new boat shoppers: consider how weather-tolerant your boat is, or isn't, as part of your boating decision.

 

[frankrom]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

Damn solid replies. thank you!

I live in Toronto the summers can be hot but it is not like Florida. It would be in my driveay and get shade for half of the day. I do want my boat to look new as long as possible. I am looking at a 2004 Caravelle and apparently it is in great shape and I would like to keep it that way.

Maybe i'll invest in a property boat cover.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

Since you're buying a relatively new boat, and its the kind that typically needs covering (I think it is), I'd go ahead and buy the right cover and just consider it part of the purchase price. You'' feel a lot better about your new boat.

Since it's on and off all summer you should be OK with trapped moisture but let the boat dry out a couple days after you use it, especially if you hose it down, etc. and remove wet gear. And of course, leave the plug out.

Have fun!

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

Buy a universal or custom-fit boat cover and rest easy. I don't agree that the soft-garage is better than even a universal-fit cover as they allow wind/debris to get up under the "roof". The soft garages also don't handle high winds all that well. A good waterproof cover will suffice as long as water/snow isn't allowed to pool on it for weeks at a time. Make sure you leave the drain/garboard plug out so that any water that does get in doesn't end up filling up the bilge. You can store it in a facility for the winter months.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

I keep my bow and cockpit snap cover on during the boating season. It keeps the suns uv rays off the vinyl so the seats dont crack. Its definitely not 100% waterproof and when it rains water gets in. I just keep the drain plug out and no worries. If the boat breathes well and gets wet sometimes its not going to cause rot in the floors. Rot only happens when boat cant breath. In the winter I keep the boat indoors.

 

[bgc]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

Let it breathe!
Condensation in the boats that are covered is a killer.

 

[Beefer]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

I keep my boat uncovered year round. It's on a south facing lift, exposed to the brutal Florida sun. I take the cushions, keep them in the cabin, but otherwise everything is exposed. Self bailing, but drain plug is out to allow any rainwater that gets into the bilge to drain out. No problems, but this is a boat geared more towards fishing.

If your boat is the pretty party type, with lots of carpet and exposed vinyl, then yes, you'll need a cover. And even with a cover, remove the plug (that's figuring you're on a trailer).

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

I have an aluminum but built an a-frame (beam that goes lenght-wise over the boat on 2X4 stands) and drape the tarp over that so it can breathe. Built of wood, it is easy to take in and out. Be sure it extends a bit past the bow and stern and you should have plenty of air flow.

This is a cheap way to do it but has worked for me. I don't get how those custom covers don't sag with water over time, perhaps they are just very tight fitting.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

I don't get how those custom covers don't sag with water over time, perhaps they are just very tight fitting.

Sometimes its through the use of poles to keep the cover tight.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

I keep my boat in a storage shed near the lake. It is in between the 2 launch ramps I use. In the summer it stays in the shed uncovered. After its winterized I put a cover on in and put it in the shed. The storage shed is not very expensive and saves me 40 miles of towing per trip. I also get a price break because I pay the whole year"s fee up front.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

Sometimes its through the use of poles to keep the cover tight.

also straps going over the windshields, from bow to stern--I have that rig, it also has a support in the center in the stern. It was OK for storage but a pain if you had to mess with it every time you wanted to use the boat.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Parking A Boat - Have no Garage... A Cover enough?

If i use the proper boat covers is this enough? If not would a boat cover and a tarp be enough to prevent the boat from damaging?

Do NOT use a boat cover AND a tarp; if the tarp is laying on the boat cover it will trap moisture between the two layers and you'll have mildew after the first rain.

I store my boat in my driveway under a custom cover. I let it dry before covering it. I use cover support poles to prop up the cover and prevent pooling.