Tarpaulins

[Ian_Edwards]

I need to cover a yacht, 14m long a just over 4m beam.
I like it to last at least a year.
The boat will be stored outside in quite an exposed yard, SW Scotland, in what can be a very windy area.
I'd prefer a translucent material to make it easier to work under the cover.
I've been thinking about 2 @ 10m × 8m covers, overlapping by at least 1m and long enough to cover the topsides.
The use of 2 covers is simply to make them lighter and easier to handle.
I'd tie them down with rope under the boat and onto the cradle.
Any idea of what weight of fabric to go for?
And the best material to go for?
Any advice on what not to do?
Cheers Ian

 

[Tranona]

Mast up or down? What kind of framework? In my experience much depends on having a good strong framework with a ridge pole and padding at potential chafe points as much as the material used.

 

[Rappey]

Clear mesh tarp as in pic below. Everything needs to be smooth where it contacts, preferably with carpet else it slowly wears through.
Ropes through eyes -eyes soon tear out. Wrap tennis ball in edge of tarp then wrap rope around. That lasts very well but still eventually tears tarp.
My best solution was to put roofing batton screwed together either side of tarp edge with rope clamped between at each end for tying down. That lasted well.
I also filled 4pt plastic milk bottles with gravel and hung them on tarp as weights. Absorbed violent gusts
I did 7 months and it would have certainly lasted a lot longer.
My mast was laying on the boat and used poly water pipe and cable ties to form curves for tarp to sit on

 

[veshengro]

Just as an indication...My boat has been partly covered from just abaft the mast to the transom, with the tarp rigged over the boom and lashings passing under the hull. Covered up first week in October until now with Monotex (Trade name I think) from Tarpaulins Direct. It's classed as Industrial strength and has the woven reinforcing structure. Sat in a yard on an exposed river bank with no problems or signs of wear.at all. As already advised, beware sharp edges.

Tarpaulins | Heavy Duty Tarpaulin Sheets | Tarpaulins Direct

 

[KevinV]

I've ended up with marquee roof panels - free from my local marquee company when they were no longer pretty enough. Really solid and they let sufficient light through. Very heavy, which is both good and bad

 

[Poignard]

Standard Scaffold Sheeting

 

[PetiteFleur]

I've used Tarpaulins Direct to cover my boat over winter, used the Top grade version - 200g/sq. metre. I assume this will go over a framework. If just over the guard rails then you need to fit 2x1" wood rails along the top of the stanchions, well rounded. Also add extra eyelets half way between existing eyelets. I also shaped mine so the sides followed about 12" below deck level. Add additional timber in line with the boom over the foredeck. I use white so allows light through. Usually lasts 3/4 years. Heavier grades available. Or get a local sprayhood supplier to measure and make a bespoke cover in acrylic canvas which should last years. Good luck.

 

[Dellquay13]

I’ve had clear monotex tarps from Tarpaulins direct in York and they lasted years

 

[ducked]

Clear mesh tarp as in pic below. Everything needs to be smooth where it contacts, preferably with carpet else it slowly wears through.
Ropes through eyes -eyes soon tear out. Wrap tennis ball in edge of tarp then wrap rope around. That lasts very well but still eventually tears tarp.
My best solution was to put roofing batton screwed together either side of tarp edge with rope clamped between at each end for tying down. That lasted well.
I also filled 4pt plastic milk bottles with gravel and hung them on tarp as weights. Absorbed violent gusts
I did 7 months and it would have certainly lasted a lot longer.
My mast was laying on the boat and used poly water pipe and cable ties to form curves for tarp to sit on

Long time ago I made rope attachments by driving a 6"inch section of PVC pipe into another sp;it section, with the plastic sheet sandwiched in between them, and a rope looped through the pipe.

IIRC it worked ok to spread the point load on the material, but it was quite hard work putting it together

 

[Daydream believer]

Standard Scaffold Sheeting

Available widths ?

 

[doug748]

Close the ends or the wind will get under it and in the end it will finish the cover off, one way or another. Can also help blow the boat over if left open.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Ardfern Yachts Centre and Tuffcoat (Glasgow based, travels) provide robust shrink-wrapping services. From what I can tell, from boats laid up long term, it is very robust and has withstood some howling gales. A long time ago, I used shrink wrap on a boa5 all winter at Kip Marina and it was excellent. Personally I think shrink wrapping is better than tarpaulins for security and integrity, long term, weatherwise, if you get the frame right. Vents and doors are all included these days.

Marine shrink-wrap for yacht transport or storage and Naval refit projects

 

[Scomber]

Designed our own , 2 pieces , green wagon tap , heavy so don't flap so much. Made by company Glasgow area. Used a few yrs , all good.

 

[ChromeDome]

Remember to keep it ventilated.

If not using breathable material, make the cover open at the ends to enable wind passing through.

For inspiration you can Google e.g. Swedish solutions (similar climate). Keep in mind that even there solutions vary to meet different needs:
båt täckning presenning - Google Suche

 

[ChromeDome]

Stumbled over this winter pic when Googling Sweden.

Scary, to say the least.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I've decided to take a two stage approach.
I've ordered 2 @ 10m x 8m Tarpmaster Clear Heavy Duty Tarpaulin/Cover 170GSM, from Scaffolding Direct. These are relatively cheap and I can get them delivered before the end of the week.
Over the summer I'll get a proper tailored cover made. That will give me time to get timber supports made and workout how best to stop the top of the stantion wearing through cover. I'd like to get the tailored cover to do down as far as the waterline, and that's a variable distance from the deck, about 2m at the bow and not much more than 1m at the stern.
Thanks for all the suggestions, I was attracted to the shrink wrap, but that's a one off, a tailored cover should last many years.

 

[Wansworth]

Check out the tallyho vids.

 

[alahol2]

I've decided to take a two stage approach.
I've ordered 2 @ 10m x 8m Tarpmaster Clear Heavy Duty Tarpaulin/Cover 170GSM, from Scaffolding Direct. These are relatively cheap and I can get them delivered before the end of the week.
Over the summer I'll get a proper tailored cover made. That will give me time to get timber supports made and workout how best to stop the top of the stantion wearing through cover. I'd like to get the tailored cover to do down as far as the waterline, and that's a variable distance from the deck, about 2m at the bow and not much more than 1m at the stern.
Thanks for all the suggestions, I was attracted to the shrink wrap, but that's a one off, a tailored cover should last many years.

Using MDPE water pipe, 32mm but pref 50mm, with a ridge pole and taking the pipe outside the stanchions/guardwires gives room to move easily along sidedecks etc. It is also relatively forgiving in terms of chafe on a tarp.

 

[Daydream believer]

Could you not remove the guard rails & slot plastic pipe hoops over the staunchions?