Boat cover?

[Baha]

I am the proud new owner of a 2006 26m (soon to be renamed "Logan's Run") I would appreciate
Feedback on full boat covers, please. Photos to come!

[Chinook]

We live in snow country, so I needed a good cover system to keep the boat clear of snow in winter. I built a framework out of 1 1/4 inch pvc pipe, using X and 45 degree fittings. Some I glued up, but others are assembled dry, with holes drilled through the fittings and nails dropped in. This holds things together, but lets me take it all apart after winter is over, for easy storage. I cover the framework with a 30 x 40 foot tarp. We can get relatively inexpensive tarps here in that size, for around $80, however, they aren't very heavy, and they aren't UV treated. They last only 2 seasons, as a rule. I paid around $300 about 8 years ago for something called a hay tarp. They're made in our area, and are used outdoors to cover large stacks of hay bales. The tarp is very heavy duty, UV resistant, and with good reinforced grommets. After 8 winters of use, it looks virtually good as new. Very worth while investment. Not sure if such a tarp is available where you live, but if so, I'd recommend getting a good quality tarp instead of one of the cheap ones. Oh yes, in summer, when we are using the boat, I toss a light weight cover over the mast, which is in the towing configuration. I made a light cover by sewing together an old genoa and mainsail. It covers most of the hull and keeps dust and bird droppings off, and also shades the fiberglass from direct sunlight.

[grady]

(soon to be renamed "Logan's Run")

Ohhh "renaming" is bad ju ju. Make sure you do it correctly!

[Baha]

Thanks for the tip. We are looking more at one of the fitted covers. There is a pretty
Wide range of prices. I will use your idea this winter though.

Renaming will happen this spring... With all the attending ritual. It can't be bad luck
when you use your grandson's name

[Russ]

Custom fitted covers can be pricey. Many of us use simple tarps to keep moisture off.
Here's a thread about it.
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... r&start=30

[K9Kampers]

Here's a renaming procedure that involves purging, a good bottle of champagne and various acts of summoning...

boat renaming

[Erik Hardtle]

So after about 8 years my cover ripped to pieces, so I got this (see below) 15 ft x 30 ft cover from mytarp.com $297.
It is heavier to put on, it is what they use on roofs of play structures.
I also have PVC caps on top of the stanchions to keep from chaffing and puncturing.
If it becomes too heavy for me.. or I get too old, I will build a permanent wood structure and use the tarp as the roofing material.

(15' x 30' Vinyl Tarp 18 OZ Vinyl Coated Polyester - Black Color, VCT181530BLK)

[Phil M]

Yeah, that will work, unless you live near Buffalo.

[Steve K]

I have the sail warehouse cover.............. LOVE IT

http://thesailwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/web ... frame.html
Click "Canvas products and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Pricy, but worth every penny............. and trailerable.
Boat stays pretty clean and nice and shiny in the hot desert sun.

Pics of my D boat with cover:
https://app.box.com/s/6cdwh7p2f258vs44bgff


Best Breezes,
Steve K.

[Herschel]

I noticed that some pictures of covers showed the ends laced up and others were open ended at the stern. I have shown this picture on the forum before, but I think it is timely. While it is unlikely to happen, an open ended cover can become a "de facto" spinnaker in the event of a strong storm wind from astern. I had my 26X covered when Hurricane Charlie hit Central Florida in 2004, and the cover became a sail taking the boat about 50 feet over the lawn onto the driveway and into the street, whereupon a tree fell on it. I have since learned much more about properly securing the boat, but I am careful about covers.

[RobertB]

Ok, the boat taking a drive on its own is pretty impressive. I am not sure how the following would help in a hurricane but,
I use a car disc brake rotor under my trailer jack wheel - it keeps the wheel from sinking into the asphalt and it prevents the trailer from rolling.

As far as a cover, I store mast up, add a pole at the bow and another at the stern, run a ridgeline, and lace up two 7 x 30 foot tarps, one on either side. Oh, and I string up x-mas lights

[dlandersson]

LOL

Yeah, that will work, unless you live near Buffalo.

[dlandersson]

Pretty much describes any time I've ever gone sailing - including the tree

I had my 26X covered when Hurricane Charlie hit Central Florida in 2004, and the cover became a sail taking the boat about 50 feet over the lawn onto the driveway and into the street, whereupon a tree fell on it.

[Herschel]

I use a car disc brake rotor under my trailer jack wheel - it keeps the wheel from sinking into the asphalt and it prevents the trailer from rolling.

Yes, blocking the wheels is essential with a tarp covering the boat. For good measure, in 2004, I tied the trailer to several large trees nearby for Hurricanes Francis and Jean that came during the same summer. And I dropped the cover. It was easier to clean the debris off the boat than deal with a tarp turned spinnaker. I know tarps/covers are essential in the north as part of the winterizing, I just wanted to mention my experience with the fact that they have "multiple personalities" and can act contrary to what you intend in certain rare circumstances.