Shrink wrap or not?

[Jay2120]

Now that the season is over and the boat is stored. Do you think it's really necessary to shrink wrap a Pilothouse? I wrapped it last winter but I wouldnt mind saving a few hundred bucks by not doing so. Thoughts? :?: :mrgreen:

 

[Bryan 2530]

Tarp it and save the money, but definitely cover it if you get ice in your area.

 

[Brent]

What is the fee?

 

[Megabyte]

Now that the season is over and the boat is stored. Do you think it's really necessary to shrink wrap a Pilothouse?

You don't have a location in your profile, so I would have to say... "it depends".

It depends on where you are located.
In my area, we get snow, we get freezing temps, and we get rain.

One of the worst things that can happen is to get snowfall, then rain, then freezing temps.
Your deck, and your scuppers will become a block of ice.
Once the scuppers freeze, your cockpit becomes a bathtub, holding everything in, and on deck.

Last year when we had our historic snows, there was a Grady Sailfish next to me who decided not to cover his boat.
It filled up with snow, ice, and rain (and more ice), and wrecked the entire boat.
It was not a pretty sight in the spring, and an expensive lesson for him.

I was shrink wrapped, and went through the winter unscathed.

YMMV

 

[Parker23]

Now that the season is over and the boat is stored. Do you think it's really necessary to shrink wrap a Pilothouse?

You don't have a location in your profile, so I would have to say... "it depends".

It depends on where you are located.
In my area, we get snow, we get freezing temps, and we get rain.

One of the worst things that can happen is to get snowfall, then rain, then freezing temps.
Your deck, and your scuppers will become a block of ice.
Once the scuppers freeze, your cockpit becomes a bathtub, holding everything in, and on deck.

Last year when we had our historic snows, there was a Grady Sailfish next to me who decided not to cover his boat.
It filled up with snow, ice, and rain (and more ice), and wrecked the entire boat.
It was not a pretty sight in the spring, and an expensive lesson for him.

I was shrink wrapped, and went through the winter unscathed.

YMMV

That my friend should be your answer right there. If its cold enough in your region to pull boat then cover it.

 

[mrfunandson]

Living on Long Island I haven't tarped or shrink rapped a boat in years, why spend the $ and hassel? Its in the water from March through nearly Christmas. The 3-4 months its out of the water whats going to happen? If we get record snow falls again go down and shovel out the cockpit. I have never had enough ice to freeze the scuppers and cause a back up, regaurdless of what you do its going to need a good cleaning before the lauch in the spring anyway.

 

[ReelyNauti]

I am a gambler!!!

13 years of owing boats over 26' only once did i wrap it in plastic...

Wrapping causes mold mildew issues that have to be addresses
you cant work on the boat on nice winter days

all you need is to watch the weather ......if you get a snow storm then shovel the deck !!!

HOWEVER if you have a lot of trees around a tarp over the cockpit is a great idea use double 2x4 and go from the roof rod holders(ziptie a 2x4 to it use a ton of them) then screw the 2x4 to it and run them to the back rod holders(put wood dowels in the rod holders) fasten the 2x4 to the wood dowels....i use one on each side and a triple in the middle.

Then fasten a cheap home depot tarp....the sides get tied around the hull ... costs about 60 to 80 and allows access and the ability to work on boat all winter!!!

 

[John_Madison CT]

I honestly think Shrink wrapping does more harm than good. I see boats in the spring, on a warmer March day sweat something fierce. I don't care how many vents they put it, it becomes a moist hot house in there.

That's terrible for the boat.

I don't shrink wrap or tarp anymore. The few times we get snow I do a quick 5 minute shovel job and she's good to go. Never had any ice issues either.

My boat is getting pulled on Monday (Dec 6th) and will go back in the water around April 1st.. Only 4 months on dry land.

 

[susqking]

Want to keep snow out of the cockpit this is what I do for my 2510. Frame out 2 sheets of 4 x 8 plywood, lay it from gunwale to gunwale and lay a tarp over it then bungie it down. Takes about 15-20 minutes to cover it, been doing this for 6 years and it works great.

 

[Lucky John]

Last year I was tempted not to shrink wrap my 2120. It turned out to be one of the worst winters we had here in a long time with a few bad snowfalls. I was very happy this spring when I went down in March to get her ready for the season. It was worth the 240 bucks and peace of mind.

 

[Jay2120]

Thanks guys for the advice. I decided I am going to pickup a tarp at Home depot and tie it down with some tiger twine although leaving it coverless was tempting. The last thing I want is ice in my bilge and scuppers. Enjoy the offseason!

 

[DaleH]

Now that the season is over and the boat is stored. Do you think it's really necessary to shrink wrap a Pilothouse? I wrapped it last winter but I wouldnt mind saving a few hundred bucks by not doing so. Thoughts? :?: :mrgreen:

Sure! Make a frame using strapping or PVC and put decent tarps over it and be done! My initial setup costs me < $200 or so for everything and I’ll get 4-5 seasons out of the tarps, so that’s what … $45 - $50 per season?

Click here and here too for more info.

Tarp it and save the money, but definitely cover it if you get ice in your area.

So true! Ice buildup can damage the boat! On my boat, it had “popped” the juncture where the rear of the cockpit deck ‘behind’ the cockpit vertical bulkhead met another vertical bulkhead. My bilge would fill FULL on a rainy day, less my ever present bilge pump, but it doesn’t get everything out. I had bought my boat abandoned after 2 years of Winters not being covered, and I theorize that ice caused the damage.

FWIW, I’ve yet to see mildew issues in any tarp-covered boat, but here many sad stories on-line each Spring of guys new boats with extensive mildew damage. One friend had a new Bluefin CC where the white cushions turned pink! Tarp it and be done with it … and save yourself some $$.

PVC Frame Disclaimer:
Update from the Winter of 2009/2010 ... we had a blizzard with winds to 84mph :shock: hit the locale where my boat was stored in Feb 2010 and it tore my tarps and PVC frames to bits . My brothers Grady White was next to mine and tarped the same way, except his frame was made of wood strapping. His frame and tarps mostly survived reasonably intact. I am guessing the PCV frame flexes too, too much in severe winds. Needless to say, since my frame was largely destroyed anyway ... I am making a new framing system out of wood strapping this season. I'll post pictures if I get the chance to take any. Cheers!

 

[Megabyte]

Mine came out of the water today and will get covered this coming week.
She is spending the winter with Jim at the BOE Marine store and storage lot in Stevensville.

 

[Sully]

Or Just do this
Its covered but not
Easy to get in and out
Snow and ice and tree sap stay off
Dosnt cost that much and I have had mine for 8 years now
I live in Mass
I used fence post to raise it up

I LOVE MY BABY :wink:

 

[Bryan 2530]

This is my solution which is going up today. No mildew, sweating or ice buildup. Re-usable, withstands high winds, workable underneath, good place to have a barely pop when SAD sets in for the winter. Tarps is around $50 and lasts about 3 years.

More details in link.

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=3257&p=23693