Is Your Boat OK In All This Snow!

[Zagato]

Mines on the hard so don't have to worry about marinas freezing over or the plumbing bursting but I can see my nice boat cover being ripped to bits with the weight of all the snow

I may go down tomorrow if the weather eases, I bet the marinas are a pretty sight

 

[VicS]

Mines on the hard so don't have to worry about marinas freezing over or the plumbing bursting but I can see my nice boat cover being ripped to bits with the weight of all the snow

I may go down tomorrow if the weather eases, I bet the marinas are a pretty sight

In 30 odd years I have never had any problems but if you have only covered it with lightweight woven plastic sheeting from a Diy store/ garden centre/ builders merchant you might have trouble esp if its already done a season or two.

When you eventually get a boat that you will be keeping for a few years it'll be worth your while getting a heavy duty cover ( PVC IIRC) from someone who makes the covers and side curtains for big lorries etc. In the mean time use the heaviest grade of woven polyethylene you can find

Eg the 200gsm "Topgrade" from Tarpaulins direct http://www.tarpaulinsdirect.co.uk/topgrade-tarpaulin

I find it useful to use two overlapping covers of unequal lengths so that it is easy to access the cockpit even though more expensive than just one

 

[Seajet]

Zagato,

I hate to say this but the plumbing is more at risk with the boat out in the cold than in the water with the ameliorating effect of the water temperature; she should be fine if you've emptied the tank/s and pipes, one tip is to leave the taps and tank inspection hatches open if you have any.

Unless the roads clear up considerably I'd say leave her, she'll be fine; not worth wrapping the car and yourself around a tree for a bit of plumbing !

 

[aquaplane]

My trail sailer has a monotex tarp on it that lasted about 12 months.

http://www.tarpaulinsdirect.co.uk/monotex-tarpaulin

The first points of failure were the guard rail tops and a couple of pressure points on the mast. Now in it's second year the tarp is porous where puddles form as well as where the holes are from pressure points.

Boat plumbing is better off in the water than on the hard.

 

[Suttle]

Still afloat on a swinger, don't expect any problems. Probably famous last words!

 

[Zagato]

I drained all the water out of everything a while ago - nice job sponging out the heads

The boat came with a very nice bespoke made cover, it's pretty strong though! I have the thicker tarpaulindirect cover on the other one, does the job just fine... No need to spend a fortune on bespoke covers. Unless you can justify the money of course. I think the sun does more harm than rain but a cover on a wooden boat is a must I should think.

 

[VicS]

My trail sailer has a monotex tarp on it that lasted about 12 months.

http://www.tarpaulinsdirect.co.uk/monotex-tarpaulin

The first points of failure were the guard rail tops and a couple of pressure points on the mast. Now in it's second year the tarp is porous where puddles form as well as where the holes are from pressure points.

Boat plumbing is better off in the water than on the hard.

Ive often wondered about Monotex but it does not seem to be available in the sizes I want and others have said not worth the extra cost.
From what you say I seem to be doing very much better with "Topgrade". The present pair have done several winters and one summer but I dont expect them to be any good after this winter even if they survive it.
I do pad the sharp bits on the mast with old carpet etc and I have some wooden pads that fit on the stanchion tops to spread the load there.
Water tank is drained (its flexible anyway)

 

[Zagato]

I have the Topgrade one, it's more flexible and has survived some rough winds over two winters. I wrap it over the boat and trailer to ground level so it doesn't flap! £50 job done.

 

[lw395]

It's about 1 degree here in Portsmouth, not forecast to be exceptionally cold, so a boat should take a long time for anything to freeze around here. If it's covered with snow that will insulate it even more.

 

[ffiill]

Cold is far more problematic than snow-regularly get snow lying on my boat here in the Highlands.
But two years ago at Arisaig when the sea froze it burst one of my pressurised water pipes and caused the ceramic tiles in my wet room toilet shower to explode!
Currently here on Loch Ness we only have a dusting of snow all be that it has now been lying for last week or so and day time temperatures have yet to make it above freezing again!

 

[Seajet]

ffiill,

that was posted in summer on Loch Ness, right ?!

 

[rafiki_]

I'm a bit concerned about the weight of the snow on the canopy, so will pop over to Rafiki tomorrow with the brush. I have seen a canopy split due to snow previously

 

[dunedin]

Mines on the hard so don't have to worry about marinas freezing over or the plumbing bursting but I can see my nice boat cover being ripped to bits with the weight of all the snow

I may go down tomorrow if the weather eases, I bet the marinas are a pretty sight

Better afloat in salt water than ashore IMHO - sea water on west is much warmer than land and much less wind chill over hull. Also no cover to worry about.

 

[Bilgediver]

Mines on the hard so don't have to worry about marinas freezing over or the plumbing bursting but I can see my nice boat cover being ripped to bits with the weight of all the snow

I may go down tomorrow if the weather eases, I bet the marinas are a pretty sight

Your plumbing is more likely to burst on the hard than if in the water. I hope you have drained out your fresh water system including the pump if fitted.

 

[Hadenough]

View attachment 27364

Mine was ok getting to it on the pontoon was a challenge though. Sailing boots with strap on crampons worked a treat.