Covering the boat for the off season ???

[Guest_User]

I know this is a bit premature discussing winterization. I`d like to get some ideas from the members about covering the boat with access to the boat during the colder months.

what I need: I`d like to have or use a water resistant/proof cover or similar that will give me access to the interior and engine compartment of the boat so I can work on it on the good weather days, not necc the 10° days...
there would be most def a few weeks/months that I would not work on the boat ie: January/February

I have considered shrink wrap, but that doesn`t allow easy access to open the hatch. would a brand new cover be water resistant enough to not allow water to lay in the boat and freeze? snow load etc...
The old cover I have now gets soaked when it rains, so that`s going to be replaced.
I`m uncertain how I want to approach this...
I don`t have the luxury of putting up a "Cover it" enclosure here...

any idea`s are appreciated, thank...PR...

 

[RFoster130]

Thats a tough one. Even a good cover will let water through when it has snow sitting on it. To keep it dry you need several layers. Then that kills your point of wanting access. A few guys who store there boats outside have also put fans in them that circulate air and that helps a lot. I think its going to be tough to find something that keeps it dry yet accessible. Its hard enough to do just the first part of that. Makes me appreciate my garage. There are times I hate the fact the boat takes up the whole thing...but it sure is nice in the winter.

 

[470]

Just use a regular cover and get one of those cheap car port canopies to cover everything. They can be had for a couple hundred bucks.

 

[Guest_User]

Thats a tough one. Even a good cover will let water through when it has snow sitting on it. To keep it dry you need several layers. Then that kills your point of wanting access. A few guys who store there boats outside have also put fans in them that circulate air and that helps a lot. I think its going to be tough to find something that keeps it dry yet accessible. Its hard enough to do just the first part of that. Makes me appreciate my garage. There are times I hate the fact the boat takes up the whole thing...but it sure is nice in the winter.

I guess I`ll just have to wait and see how bad winter is going to be. last year it was mild here, But I don`t expect that with the amount of rainfall we are having this season... All of my ski`s were always kept indoors and in mint condition as a result. Even if I could, the trailer is just to long and there is just not enough room to crawl around the boat... next residence will have a bigger garage.
There are some changes and custom work I`d like to do over the off season, I`ll just have to change up the scheduling. thanks...

Just use a regular cover and get one of those cheap car port canopies to cover everything. They can be had for a couple hundred bucks.

as mentioned, the "cover it" is not an option. I really wouldn`t want to be held liable for it flying thru the air in a storm and causing damage to the dwelling`s or other tenants vehicles bc it can`t be attached even if I could have one... maybe just use the old cover with a poly tarp lashed to the trailer... and of course a few mold bags and containers. Thanks...

I`ll most likely pull the drives/pumps and engines and store them indoors, as I`ll be installing new engine mounts for the next season...

 

[470]

With the auger type stakes it won't come out especially if the ground freezes. You can get the ports with sides so no cover is needed. Just a thought.

 

[Guest_User]

With the auger type stakes it won't come out especially if the ground freezes. You and get the ports with sides so no cover is needed. Just a thought.

I do understand what your saying, we live in a lease townhome with garage and driveway. I move the boat from the driveway to the boat parking area when not in use. or I would say screw it and have the cover it...

 

[RFoster130]

I dunno about your area, but here in ky there are lots of old factories and warehouses that sit empty. The owners lease out space for boat storage. A lot of them only charge like 300 to 400 for a whole year. Maybe look for a place like that.

 

[Guest_User]

I dunno about your area, but here in ky there are lots of old factories and warehouses that sit empty. The owners lease out space for boat storage. A lot of them only charge like 300 to 400 for a whole year. Maybe look for a place like that.

that would be ideal/great, but we reside in a marine community and nothing, but nothing is cheap and I haven`t seen anything indoors for boats here in the last 7 years. I actually tow 15 miles south to the state park/ramp to launch in fresh/brackish water than all the marina`s surrounding us on both sides. I have water all around. they are more than tripple the cost for yearly permits than the state park annual permit, and the park is much nicer.
I just let go of a 20x10 storage facility, which still would have been small, and that was costly enough...

haha I have to remember to put nerf balls in the exhaust outlets so the critters don`t climb up in the pipes...

 

[Stevego]

I build a 'tee pee' style tent over mine with 2x4's and a good tarp.

 

[100guard]

I build a 'tee pee' style tent over mine with 2x4's and a good tarp.

Photo please! I'm not to far from you, so whatever you're doing should be doable on my side of the province.

 

[Stevego]

You will have to wait t'ill October for a photo... But I simply build 2 A frames and put a long 16ft 2 x 3 between them and drape the tarp over it. Bungee tie the tarp to keep it tight so snow slides off it. I thought about buying a Tempo style garage for it this year.

 

[Guest_User]

Photo please! I'm not to far from you, so whatever you're doing should be doable on my side of the province.

same here... some of the travel trailers parked in the lot are big, I might be able to get away with a few sticks and a tarp and have the boat in between these mammoth`s...lol...

 

[Stevego]

I have also seen people simply put a big pole in the center of the boat and drop a large tarp over it. Forming a real 'tee pee' style tent.