Alternatives to Shrink Wrap

picturethis

Do any of you northern guys that keep your boats outside use anything other then shrink wrap on your boat in the winter weather??     
Sharkskin makes a nice cover but its pricey

frenchship

I used a navigloo system. See navigloo.com work  really good

frenchship

Dream_Inn

Here is one made of stamoid light material (this is Patrick's-another 400 member here, but him & I ordered together from same person, so mine is identical except the pic would be on a lift)


Here is a pic of my prior boat (310)

JC290

How well does that hold up with snow and ice? I'm considering something for next winter as I want to keep my boat at our farm

frenchship

If the angle  and height of the structure is high enough no problem snow will slide off last snow fall last winter (see picture) no snow on the boat.

Dream_Inn

Holds up great!  The Fischer canvas will definitely hold up to the weather as long as you build a structure underneath.  On my 310, it went thru a couple back-to-back storms a few years ago that was a total of 3-4 feet of snow.  I know you deal with that all the time, but when I got to the boat a few days later, there was no snow on the cover at all.  My current cover works pretty well, but I do get a little snow/rain that holds in one little spot. It seemed better last year and I'm hoping it is good this year.  The 400 has a lot more span over the bow that has to have a really good structure.

JC290

I don't even see the boat wow it is good lol

Stodge

I've seen this question somewhere else.......

aero3113

I've used the same tarp for the last four seasons. I use a pool pillow up front to keep the tarp from accumulating water. I also leave my canvas up and haven't had any issues with snow.

picturethis

where did you find a tarp that size?   I kinda like that idea

aero3113

Harbor Freight, I forget what size it is but it is huge.

aero3113

It's not my trailer, wish it was! I use the company twice a season (drop it in and pull it out). They set her on the blocks for me, the trailer has hydraulic bunks on it so they can position the boat on the blocks.

DanD2

I do the same with my 342

JC290

After seeing three boats burn up this fall from shrink wrapping I will never ever do it. I will stick with my inside storage. 

raybo3

Inside storage is best. Shrink wrap second best. In my area those tarps will never hold up to a bad winter..... Just saying.....

Dream_Inn

Raybo, what I use will hold up to your weather.  For the heavy snow, you've gotta have something that fits snug and tight.  The tarps just don't do that very well.  My marina does not allow tarps.

raybo3

Dream dont you have a winter canvas cover??? I mistakenly left that type of cover off my list.... Yes that is better than shrink wrap however you need to clean and store it after use correct? I live in a condo complex and do not have much storage so that is out for me....lol

Michael T

I have stored all of my boats indoors, Including my 2013 E 10 and my 2014 EC 360. There are about 200 boats at my marina that are shrinked wrapped and at least 60 big cruisers that are tarped. Ridge poles are run the length of the cruisers with support poles to the decks. Jugs of water are suspended from the eyelets of each tarp. We get huge amounts of snow (many feet) and consistent -20 degree Celcius temperatures for January and Febuary. The key, as DI said, is to have the tarps kept tight to avoid snow, water and ice from accumulating in low spots. I have never heard of a shring wrap damage or fire but the women who do it are very skilled and very careful. I have never seen a tarp fail but I have seen some minor damage from tarping which is caused, imo, by chafing of the gel coat from the tarps being ruffled by wind action and some minor scratches to the decks of boats from support poles - even if they have carpeted "feet". My choice is to have my cruiser stored indoors as it is almost the same price as shrink wrap and tarping without the scratches and nicks to the gelcoat. As well, I can get to it if I want to measure something or just have a look at it mid-winter. MT

MarkB

I agree indoor storage is the best - keeps the elements off the boat.  Humidity is no longer an issue.

MarkB

RY, not saying you NEED to store indoors, but I'm saying it is better if you have the choice.

DanD2

Tarps done right will work fine. I tarped my old boat for 5 years with 2 heavy duty tarps and they have survived many Maine Nor'easters. The only reason I'm not using them on the Rinker is because they are too small. I've shrunk wrapped for this year but will return to tarps next year.

nhsd

Much smaller boat than you guys are discussing, but I had mine shrink wrapped the first year I had it. A couple snows later the shrink wrap split open and out came the tarps. Since then, I build a small support structure (basically a couple of 2x4s as posts and a fairly heavy line tightly strung from bow to stern over the posts), put on my trailer cover (which will barely fit over this structure), then tarp over that. I have not had any problems since. Tarps (the green ones) tend to last 2 to 3 years before they weather and start to split.