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Author
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Topic: Winter Storage Suggestions?
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ClanFitz
Member
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posted November 01, 2004 11:23 AM
  
My husband plans on leaving the boat outside covered in just that blue plastic tarp all winter. Are there any suggestions for better outside storage. Inside storage seems not to be an option.IP: 129.170.60.155 |
Ken
Member
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posted November 01, 2004 12:06 PM
Is this a Sandpiper?
A blue tarp can make an adequate cover if it is large enough to cover the whole deck and cockpit of your boat. Make sure that the lifelines and two stanchions on each side of the boat are removed. This will allow a greater slope to the cover and not trap so much snow and ice. Storing the mast along the middle of your boat will act as a peak to ther cover. Tie the cover down tightly all around the perimeter as wintery winds can get up under it and will tear it to shreds before Spring.------------------
"Never be afraid to try something new: Professionals built the Titanic
And amateurs built the Ark." IP: 141.117.228.250 |
whited
unregistered
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posted November 01, 2004 01:33 PM
If he has a few dollars in his wallet, take him to Princess Auto. They have 18 x 20 canvas tarps. Not on sale now...but one tenth the cost of a 'fitted custom canvas cover'.
I plan to jack up my trailer and put 8" x 8" posts beneath the axles to take the weight. I'll probably remove the wheels and store them inside the garage...along with the furling gear. As Ken says...my mast will be my ridge pole.
My 6 hp Evinrude will winter in the basement.IP: 156.34.51.160 |
Canadian Sailor
unregistered
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posted November 01, 2004 04:44 PM
I'm not sure if this applies to a Sandpiper. But be sure to brush off any snow/drain rain, from on top of the tarp as the weight could possibly damage the deck of the boat.------------------
Canadian Sailor ;)
"Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you
criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes." IP: 64.228.8.36 |
Darcy
Member
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posted November 01, 2004 04:51 PM
As Ken did, we leave the winterized motor on the stern. They're designed to be outside.D'Arcy IP: 65.95.109.170 |
Shortstay
Member
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posted November 02, 2004 01:22 AM
My wife has so little faith in me...Honey, I bought a heavy duty tarp at WM the other day & if you look out the back window, you'll see a nice gray 20' x 16' tarp over the boat. A hate it when I have to air our dirty laundry in public!  ------------------
Kevin
Shortstay III, #901 IP: 198.115.167.11 |
bobc
Member
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posted November 02, 2004 08:49 AM
The latest issue of Good Old Boat has good article on winter storage with a nice tarp support system in it. It looks very simple to build and replaces the mast as the ridge pole. I plan on storing my mast on a cover porch that I have as I need to repair/replace the forestay. The leaves are falling here and I guess its time to put away the boats : ( ------------------
Bob Crowley
Luna #486 IP: 66.251.27.131 |
Shortstay
Member
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posted November 02, 2004 01:55 PM
True that, Bob... Still, I'm hoping to get in one more sail at Sunapee before putting her up for good this season.[This message has been edited by Shortstay (edited November 02, 2004).] IP: 198.115.167.5 |
Eric
Member
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posted November 02, 2004 05:04 PM
I'm in the process of covering Paradise now. I have built a frame out of 3/4" pvc pipe. I'm adding 50 precent more supports this year. I haven't been able to finish it yet, because of the leaves that need raking  , and the rain!!
I use the mast as a ridge, and drape a 24' x 12' silver tarp over it. FWIW I bought my tarp at Princess Auto. Like "whited", I love that store  Any places where there are "protrusions" from the mast, ie steaming light, jib/spinn halyard blocks etc, I pad with foam, so as to not wear the tarp out.
The 24' tarp is just long enough to fold over the ends of the mast. This keeps the birds out of the mast in spring! However, I do not completely seal everything off. The way the tarp folds at the bow and stern, there are openings to allow ventilation. Very important. I open the fore hatch and the companionway to allow ventilation.
Whenever I finally get my framing done, I'll post some pics BTW, no one here knows winter storage etc better than Ken!! 
Are you and Lynn staying aboard again this winter Ken? Eric [This message has been edited by Eric (edited November 02, 2004).] IP: 206.172.171.43 |
Ken
Member
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posted November 03, 2004 10:35 AM
Eric:
Yup! We're covering the boat this week and will be looking forward to a second winter afloat. (only 26 weeks 'till Spring!!!)Actually D'Arcy, except for Winter '03 ShortWave's motor was always stored inside in my basement. I always serviced the lower unit as well as fuel filter and then fogged the engine until it stalled out. Spark plugs were replaced in Spring. My Yamaha 15hp for our inflatable RIB dinghy is in our outdoor locker on Toronto island.
IP: 141.117.228.250 |
Ken
Member
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posted November 03, 2004 10:44 AM
BTW, I recommend that the boat's lead acid battery be stored in a protected area outdoors....an unheated garage is best. This will slow down the self discharge of the battery. Top up the electrolyte, charge the battery and leave it in a cool spot. A fully charged battery will not freeze!
Some folks used to keep batteries in their furnace rooms...they will discharge faster there! ...then there's that dumb old saw about placing them on a wooden plank......
Check the specific gravity and voltage monthly...topping up the charge if neccessary. I kept a chart posted by the battery to keep track of the readings.
http://www.trojan-battery.com/customercare_batterymaint7.html ------------------
"Never be afraid to try something new: Professionals built the Titanic
And amateurs built the Ark." IP: 141.117.228.250 |
Eric
Member
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posted November 07, 2004 01:05 PM
As promised, I have some pics showing my winter storage cover. The honey do list has been long , and I only just got Paradise covered yesterday !
I made a frame from 3/4" ID PVC pipe and fittings. None of the fittings are glued. This way it's easier to store in the summer. There is only one store in Barrie that carries this stuff (a Home Hardware). I used a heat gun to form bends in the piping. I use the mast as a ridge, and use tye wraps to secure the frame to the mast. There were no cross fittings available, so I used tees along the top.
You can see also, I've removed my wheels and put blocks under the axle.
Where the framing meets the deck, I made "T" feet, with rubber chair leg ends, to rest up against the toe rail.
The sharp objects/protrusions from the mast, and the ends of the mast, are protected with foam. I've used some of the black refrigeration insulation. This protects the tarp.
The size of the tarp is 24'x12'(Princess Auto, $25 special). It's long enough to cover the whole mast. There are openings at either end, at the folds for ventilation. The tarp is simply bungeed to the trailer. This is a new tarp. I got four winters out of the old one.
Good luck with your winter storage! Paradise is now tucked away for another winter!
Eric IP: 216.208.56.76 |
whited
unregistered
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posted November 07, 2004 02:22 PM
Wow! That's a great frame Eric. Are the ribs one piece of 10 or 12 foot pvc or do two ends connect to a 30 degree fitting just above the mast? This looks like a good plan for me. Time is getting short, and since I just completed the last step in out dining room renovation (hung a new french door between it and kitchen) I'm hoping the wife will ease off for a bit so I can do the important work. (get 'Piper ready for winter)
I see you removed your rub rails. Any problems getting the plugs out? Boat looks great.[This message has been edited by whited (edited November 07, 2004).] IP: 156.34.51.160 |
whited
unregistered
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posted November 07, 2004 06:58 PM
Eric..I think I see what you did. On top of the mast appears to be a length of pvc with 4 way t's at each intersection where the ribs come up....like a backbone. Those fittings with the 3 way type at deck level must have cost a fortune.IP: 156.34.51.160 |
Darcy
Member
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posted November 07, 2004 10:57 PM
Great shots Eric. We're not quite as sophisticated. Shortwave has a mast tabernacle for easy lowering of the mast. (I'll post pictures of how the lowering system works shortly.)
We can secure the mast to it when it's down. The other ends rest on the pulpits. We then put the cover over the mast as ridgepole. The stanchions come off so they don't puncture the cover. Here's how the mast looks when in position on the boat. When I've helped people cover their boats without tabernacles, we used a block of wood at the mast step. 
By the way; the plastic pipe guides on either side of the stern are very helpful when centering Shortwave before pulling the trailer out of the water. We received all sorts of positive comments at the launch ramp in the Village of Rosseau when we hauled out because the boat came up perfectly centered the first time we tried. The couple in front of us took several tries and finally gave up (launch ramp pressure I guess). They drove off towing their small cabin cruiser listing to one side. This is our first season of putting the boat away but Ken used to block the trailer then let some air out of the tires. We'll probably do the same. Remember to pump the tires up again before you use the trailer in the spring. Shortwave is in our driveway. Right now. I'll be fogging the motor and putting the cover on this coming weekend. D'Arcy
IP: 67.71.52.218 |
Canadian Sailor
unregistered
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posted November 09, 2004 04:49 PM
My dad has told me not to use bungies because the cold weather makes the rubber in them stretch/snap.IP: 209.226.189.35 |
Hyprstitch
Member
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posted November 09, 2004 10:51 PM
That depends on the Bungie. The bungie I sell is solid Rubber, and last, will some of them have lasted for 10 years now.Sid
IP: 198.81.26.106 |
Eric
Member
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posted November 10, 2004 06:12 AM
CDN Sailor, no disrespect to your dad, but I have not had that problem. Up till now I've been using same bungees for four years . I'd say they degrade from UV, more than the cold.
The new ones I got have thick plastic coated hooks(Costco), and my old ones were starting to rust, hence the change.
Eric[This message has been edited by Eric (edited November 10, 2004).] IP: 130.63.85.93 |
Canadian Sailor
unregistered
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posted November 10, 2004 06:39 PM
My dad has read your posts, and has reminded me that this was about the octopus bungies.Thanks for your posts! IP: 64.228.8.122 |
