boat cover

toolmaker312

I am very new at the cruiser scene. I am wondering best outside storage option. Custom cover or shrink wrap over cockpit cover.
Thanks

Aqua_Aura

Welcome to the forum!! Are you looking for how to store it over the winter as you won't be using it or just general storage for in between uses?

toolmaker312

Outdoor midwest winter dtorage

toolmaker312

Storage and thanks

toolmaker312

It will not be  in use from November to April

Ian

Winterize and shrink wrap.

Pat310

X2 what @icoultha said

Aqua_Aura

If you're new to boating and not knowing your skill level you should consider a mechanic to winterize and go over the boat with you so you can make sure you can do it next time is fo inclined. Not that it's a hard process but if you're not familiar you may miss something and not realize it till launching and then it could get expensive real quick. 

Pat310

Since you’re new to cruisers, and If you are planning on winterizing yourself make sure you winterize ALL the systems. Water, generator, toilet and air conditioning. Not just engines. Ask questions if you are not sure how to do these. YouTube can be helpful also. 

Dream_Inn

If you are going to keep the boat a while, you may want to look into a custom cover.  It will more than pay for itself over the next few years & then you won't be wasting all that plastic as well.  

toolmaker312

I am planning on doing it myself right now. We have a camper and a older 186 rinker I already do. The water, engine and holding tanks I think I am good with. ac I was given a retrofit bucket with hose to fill with antifreeze by previous owner. Ice maker and generator I will be looking for helpful ideas to see if I should go ahead with it. It was stored on a lift prior to October. My biggest worry right now is getting it dry docked and covered till next year. It think will probably have to be shrink wrap this year being so late without a trailer to get it sized 

Cableguy Greg

Fisher Custom Canvas might have a pattern for your boat. @coverguy would be able to find out for you. I have a Fisher cover and I love it. When I replace it, I will go with the lighter material. For my 280, the duck canvas weighs 85 pounds. It takes 2 people minimum to put it on in the fall. 

YYZRC

Yeah I'm pretty sure the Fisher cover for my boat weighs 120#

Not sure how I'm gonna make this happen...

Aqua_Aura

I ordered canvas from Darren at pmwinterboatcovers and was very happy with the price and service. May want to check there as well. 

http://pmwinterboatcovers.com/

toolmaker312

Thanks I reached out to both

toolmaker312

Does any one use the blue tarps in conjunction with the cockpit cover? I think it was gieco that showed tarps with gallon jugs suspended from the eyes of tarp. The benefit is it could be done on my schedule instead of the marinas. 

davidbrooks

 I did that on mine for a couple of years. It really didn't hold up very well couple of good snow storm or a really heavy rain and wind and it was shredded. It just wasn't thick enough.  

Cableguy Greg

You can do the blue tarp. Be sure to build a frame out of pvc pipe and make sure it is tight. The wind will destroy it. 

aero3113

I used to tarp my 242 when I had it. Buy 9 or 12 mil and it will last you years. I liked 9 mil because it let in some light, the 12 mil was pitch black if you went in the boat. (I hope I have the mil’s correct).

Aqua_Aura

I use this tarp to cover my trailer and at one point a support I had broke so it filled with a few hundred pounds of water and put a huge strain on the tarp and it still didn't rip. 

This one is 10mil

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0096M044K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_XX4JFbYPG3CR9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

toolmaker312

looks good thanks