Winter storage

[minnfats]

I just bought my first big boat (25 ft searay), used but in great condition. I live in St. Paul, Mn and will store it at the marina where I have a slip. My question is: It is kept outside and they will shrink rap it for $9 a foot. Would it be cheaper in the long run to have a winter cover custom made? What is the best material to use? How many years would the cover last? And will the cover protect the boat as good as a shrink rap? Thanks for any help.<br /> <br /> New_Sailor

 

[DBenja4148]

Re: Winter storage

Good question! I keep my boat (Chaparral 260 Cruiser-25 ft./2003 ) in a boatel and this will be my first year to store. I plan on buying a cover or tarp from West Marine (about $30.00) and cover the boat even though it wil be stored in the boatel due to other boats being stored over mine (oil drippings, bird stough, etc)Shrink wrapping is fine but you have to make sure that water or snow has a place to drip off the boat. I beleive you have to build up the center with cushions or whatever to keep the rain or snow from freezing which creates weight and will cave in. Hope this helps.

 

[jmoerner]

Re: Winter storage

I am winterizing a 2003 Crownline 242 for the first time as well. Since I am on the top of the boatel, can I just leave the canopy up? <br />Thanks,<br />John

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Winter storage

Shrink wrap seems to be the best way to go if you dont mind the cost.I have always used a plastic tarp but not the real cheap blue ones.It is a lot of work because you have to figure out a way to get the cover pitched correctly so snow and rain dont gather anywhere.It has taken me many years to perfect it.I built 2 ,5-6ft A frames, one for the bow and one for the stern.I run 2 2x6 screwed together the lenght of the boat with a slot in each A frame to support them.the entire setup needs to be tied down in every direction so as not to move once it is up.Then the cover gets drapped over everything and tied down so the cover goes just under the boat on all sides.Then you need to go inside and tape anti chafe up everywhere there is friction.It takes an entire day to do it right.That is about the time paying to have it shrinkwrapped is sounding good.Plenty of ventilation my way but if you shrinkwrap ventilation is always a problem.You have to make sure you have vents everywhere you can. Charlie

 

[jpbaker]

Re: Winter storage

J&L, a good quality tarp is (cheap and)better than nothing, and alot cheaper than exposing your top all winter, but even THAT is better than nothing . Old Mother Nature doesn't take kindly to things left unprotected . You can even run a couple of ropes from the bow over top of the windshield, cross em',then tie off on the back cleats and toss a tarp over that. .Depends on how much piece of mind you want, and how much time you want to invest to get it. A $30 tarp has added a few extra years to my travel cover. Of course if you can afford a shrink wrap, by<br />all means that's the way to go.

"Of course that's just my opinion, but I could be wrong"

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Winter storage

I have always screwed together some spare 2x4s and set them in the boat to form an A frame, and then tightly tied a regular tarp over the whole thing, making sure the A frame had enough pitch for the snow to slide off. I like shrink wrap, but my wallet hates it, and you burn that money every year. A good tarp and wood (or PVC pipe, I have seen that done) for a frame is purchased once and is yours for a long time. This year I finally have a garage to stick the thing in, so no more worries, and I can work on it when I get bored during the winter....Good luck.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Winter storage

suggest the shrink wrap. pay the extra for the zippered door access, which allows you to check inside occasionally. keep it, as you can use it every year.