boat cover for winter storage

[ColinR]

I was thinking of having one made to cover my boat in the yard over the winter. For various reasons, partly to put off the day of reckoning for my elderly teak deck, but also because I find that the deck and cockpit drains dont work as well when the boat is motionless in the yard. There tend to be pools that form in odd corners and without the movement of being on the water they just sit there. I wonder if having the boat wrapped up like that will mean little air circulation in the cabin leading to more mildew etc. Any thoughts?

Also, suggestions of where to get one made (SW) would be helpful.

Thanks

Colin

 

[Stemar]

The three cures for damp and mildew ae ventilation, ventilation and ventilation. I think the trick would be to come up with something that would keep the rain off without hampering the air circulation too much.

A simple timber frame and a big tarp would be the sort of thing I'd do, but then I'm a tightwad (mainly because of lack of wad, due to owning a boat /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

 

[sarabande]

Monarflex tarpaulins are brilliant with advice and kit. We use them to provide temp storage for farm equipment outside, with secondhand scaffolding as the frame.

http://www.monarflex.dk/Products/Weather%20protection/Scaffold%20sheeting.aspx

 

[roger]

A lot depends on how windy it gets. A good stout tarp will stand up to pretty windy conditions but might help the boat to tip over. I like colourless Monotex Tarpaulins - strong reinforced plastic affairs. Try to avoid coloured ones as the light is so depressing if you are working underneath.
A sharpish edge and a wind will wear through any tarp so pad well on ends and edges.
Tying down needs care too. The tarp tends to get loose, flap and wear.
I like to use weights (large plastic bottles of water) as gravity rarely fails and the water bottles cause little damage to the hull.
Certainly ventilation is important but adds to the difficulty of holding the tarp securely. However if the location is windy ventilation is already catered for.
You need only wait another couple of months and its coming off again so why bother now.