To shrinkwrap or not to Shrinkwrap..? That is the question.

[evinrude2stroke]

I know it's a little early to start thinking about wrapping it up for the season but I'm at odds with myself over the shrink wrap this year. Unfortunately I keep my boat wrapped in the corner of my yard during the winter. Every year I've gotten it wrapped and I'm usually a fan of it as it looks nice and clean in the yard. This year the money is tight and I'm wondering if I can get away with a good all weather storage cover instead. Last winter a cat got in under the wrap, no damage done (thank god), also the wrap didn't prevent mold from growing all through out the carpet anyway. I'm wondering, if I have to clean the crap out of it in the spring anyway is it worth the cost of getting it wrapped.
Thoughts.... Anyone out there use storage covers instead on wrap?

[rsmith]

I haven't tried heavy tarps, etc. I always shrink, for the cost of the boat, etc I figure a couple hundred bucks to wrap it is good protection insurance. Keeps the critters out, protects it from the winds and snow we get here in CO. I check my boat once a month or so during the winter and inevitably there are a number of tarps that blow off boats and/or get shredded by the winds out here.

In the spring I just wipe off the dust, vacuum and 303 the seats for the season in terms of cleaning and away I go.

[blackberg]

ours is covered with a tarp, we are in Southern California, so we dont get extreme anything, but we get a little of everything except snow, so it will be different from where you are. It has been covered since October, still is, and has held up great. Even had a tree branch fall on it with the high winds we had (50mpg+) on the only damage was a tear do the tarp, hit the motor cowl and pole luckily.

The tarp I got from here , http://www.billboardtarps.com/collections/tarps its one the 13-16 oz ones. I think I have the 16x30, and use some of these to tie it down to the trailer, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000G7 ... =soca0f-20

the other benefit is that you can get access inside if for some reason

-bb

[evinrude2stroke]

When it was new I felt the same way but now that it 7 yrs old my attitude is changing a little especially with the cost of doing it. I know tarps can get frustrating with bad weather. So it's definitely a concern especially the freak storms that we've been getting here. I was looking at storage covers but they would only cover the playpen of the boat leaving the bow, stern & motor exposed.
BB- thanks for the links. I am going to start researching tarps since I may go in that direction this year.

[MH Hawker]

Over the last 2 winters this is what I have done with very good results I made a frame of 2 inch PVC pipe and use a new tarp ever year. Its made high enough so I can slip inside and work or just sit and get away for a bit, But I also dont have extreme weather.

[MH Hawker]

Over the last 2 winters this is what I have done with very good results I made a frame of 2 inch PVC pipe and use a new tarp ever year. Its made high enough so I can slip inside and work or just sit and get away for a bit, But I also dont have extreme weather.

[evinrude2stroke]

Pretty cool MH! Looks like you can actually walk around in there.
My biggest concern is snow & ice (been getting a lot of ice storms lately) which ends up being very heavy. Even pulls down on the shrink wrap sometimes. I like the PVC idea instead of using wood.

[Bryden24shp]

I agree! Thats a good idea!

[MH Hawker]

I can in fact. The pipes are 6 feet tall. I get a new tarp and straps ever year for 40.00 from HF, if I remember right the tarp and pipes and bungee cords ran about 65.00 the first year I installed my new console in it last year under the tarp it was a bit of a pain, but I wasn't in a hurry, I keep a propane heater in there so when I feel like doing some work I can heat it up nice and toasty, but it would really depend on your climate I mostly get a ton of rain and that's why I went to that so I can keep a eye on it and keep it dry to keep the mold away and the last 2 years not the first bit has showed up. Lol and its nice to grab a beer just go out and sit there awhile when the wife and her daughter get to bitching at each other.

[ROLAND]

MH... that's a nice set up... very impressed!!!!!

[evinrude2stroke]

and its nice to grab a beer just go out and sit there awhile when the wife and her daughter get to bitching at each other.

Lol, I hear that!!

Speaking of mold, This season I powerwashed the crap out of my carpet...spent like 3-3/12 hours doing it and so far this has been the best summer as far as mold goes.

[FireEMT41]

Over the last 2 winters this is what I have done with very good results I made a frame of 2 inch PVC pipe and use a new tarp ever year. Its made high enough so I can slip inside and work or just sit and get away for a bit, But I also dont have extreme weather.

This is an awesome idea!!!!