OK, so I have now asked about 432 questions about winterizing and this should be the last (I feel like I owe you all a beer or three!).
My boat is winterized. I plan to leave in my driveway since it is in a gated yard. I am considering the idea of getting a heavy duty cover to go over it (and the existing cover).
Pros and cons: Pros of shrink wrap: Safe, protects everything, won't blow around in the wind, etc.
Cons: more expensive and time consuming to do. Although, once it's done...your done. Don't have to worry about it anymore.
I didn't shrink wrap one year and my canvas was badly damaged from the wind, snow, cold etc. If you can afford it and know how to do it...or have someone else do it, then it is definately worth it!!!
Shrinkwrap is cheap insurance. Last year, every boat that was not shrunk wrapped had thousands of dollars worth of canvas damage. Poles were bent, and snow and water leaked inside doors and hatches warping hardwood floors, etc. Most houseboats do not have drain plugs in the tansom, and will fill up with water and freeze. For about 15.00 per foot, its well worth it.
Take a broom and knock the snow off diligently whether you do or don't shrink wrap.
Our Chap previous owners stored it with the regular cover on, and a tarp from Lowes on top of it...
Yeah, since my boat is parked 15 feet from my back door (and it is small), I may either buy a heavy duty cover to go over the existing one or a tarp.
I take all the shrink wrap advice to heart and understand that it is probably best, but I think I will roll the dice since it will be easy to keep the snow off and it is protected from wind. If it were somewhere that I can't keep an eye on it, I would definitely shrink wrap.
If you have the poles with the rounded point on them get yourself some rubber like foam and poke it over the top of the pole, then tarp it. If your cover is slanted most snow/rain/sleet will fall off. Last Winter was not a normal Winter, it really sucked with that bad storm.
I did Bradys Bend limestone caves, for less than $50 a month your boat stays in a cave that is 65 degrees and 65% humidity, when I pulled the boat out I had zero mold and mildew. Their unconditioned section is even cheaper but you need to be more careful covering and using something to prevent mold and mildew.
It has snap posts and a brand new cover (just a couple weeks old). I am going to get another cover to go over that and watch it vigilantly. If things start to turn south, I have a garage in WV I can resort to.
It is such a small boat that I can't see much going wrong. If anything does, I will learn a lesson.
After years of tarping it I decided to shrink wrap last year....what was I thinking all those other years. Shrink wrap is the wayto go, unless you can store it indoors.
If you shrink wrap, be sure to get the vent. If not, any moisture inside when it is shrunk can cause an atmosphere and create mold.
The years that my boat was stored outside, I tarped it. I put tennis balls over the poles to keep them from poking through the tarp. I also braced a few 2x4's across the boat to help in the event of heavy snow.
If it was in my yard, I would tarp it and brush it off if the snow got deep. Be sure to have the tarp pulled down tight so the wind won't catch it.
Should I Shrink Wrap
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