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Almost done my first season and winter storage is next. I live in Canada where we have to contend with snow, ice, water and wind. I will store the boat outside at my house. I want access down below to "tinker" in the off season. Recommendations for winter covers, suppliers and winter storage tips would be most helpful.

I bent PVC pipe over the boom and cover them with tarps.

if you want to keep the snow and ice off your boat...I recommend storing your boat in Florida...



Sorry, couldn't resist.

Jim

rowdy wrote:I bent PVC pipe over the boom and cover them with tarps.

Agree, Mark, that's what I do as well. Helps to bend the pvc pipes when it's warmer, but worst case if it's cold outside you could store the pipes inside for 24 hours before you bend 'em. I secure the bent tubing to the top and bottom of the stanchions with zip-ties, and I use three sections of pipe - one pvc pipe between each of the middle two stanchions and a longer pvc pipe that runs over the cockpit. I found that drilling a hole in the pipe at or near the top of the stanchion allows you to pass the zip-tie through the pipe and keeps it from slipping and breaking free.

The system works great, and it's dead cheap.

I use pvc both when docked overnight and for storage when the mast is down.
Cut 10 inch pieces from and old lawn chair and tape to top of stanchions with hockey tape.
The pvc will bend in a hoop between the lawn chair pieces and stay in place .
A 30 by 20 tarp will cover the whole boat .ends of pvc drilled and a string put though each.
to tie in place for sun shade near the hatch.and tied to life linefor overnights.

This year I am going to use a 20'X30' tarp but instead of assembling a PVC frame I am going to try using three to four inflatable pool pillows 4' X4 http://shop.vendio.com/robchurchills/it ... 1220956478 (do a google search on pool cover pillow) on each side of the deck on both sides of the mast forward of the cockpit so it will be 6 -8 pillows total at about $5.00 a piece and inflate them under the cover. I do not think it will handle a real heavy snow load but rain and light snow should be OK. If it does not work then next year I will be making A PVC frame like the others. This is just a different approach to the conventional way but I do believe PVC is best .... I did not want to get into setting it up each winter and storing it in the summer. Last year I used the 20'X30' tarp with some inflated beach balls under the tarp and it worked pretty good. I had to go out occasionally and drain the water off some low spots every now and then but I think the pool pillows will provide more lift over greater areas of the cover......I'll let you know if it works out

FWIW ... Costco carries a twin-pack of heavy duty tarps for about $20, silvered on one side, blue the other.
They're each approx. 11x15, and the pair will nicely cover a Mac26.

I suppose the mid-way joint is a disadvantage in heavy winds.
However, they're only half the effort to fold and drape than a single tarp of double the size.