Cold winter outside storage

[zich6]

We are 14.40 per foot this year, just as an idea. I know some shops charge up around 18-20/ft. Not sure who shrinks up there, but Im sure Hagedone does. Maybe Tobler as well. Olingers might but I have beef with those guys so I personally woulndt recommend them even if they were the cheapest shrink in town, but thats just me.

My main argument for not running a heater is unless you have a VERY waterproof cover you will just be melting the snow through your cover and your boat is going to be VERY wet all winter, and as others have said the snow really weighs on covers and starts tearing them.

Thanks, but my OEM cover was less than twice that and is brand new. I think I'll treat with Starbrite mildew blocker, add the roof blocker and deal with it. I will be adding a tarp to cover the tower.

[freeheel4life]

Thanks, but my OEM cover was less than twice that and is brand new. I think I'll treat with Starbrite mildew blocker, add the roof blocker and deal with it. I will be adding a tarp to cover the tower.

Dang. Less than $320 is a killer price for a cover!! Nice find. I would definitely look at copying JohnnieMo's style.

[zich6]

Dang. $320 is a killer price for a cover!! Nice find. I would definitely look at copying JohnnieMo's style.

My cover was $625, less than twice the price of your shrink wrap. I'm not criticizing your product. I'm sure it's a good value for what it is.

[freeheel4life]

Im not offended at all bud. Didnt think youd want to drag your boat to Boise anyways when theres 3 dealers just south of you. Was just trying to give you an idea of what some people charge. Like Mike313 said, winters can be hard on covers up North so the tarp over the tower will help you from having spend 625 again in the near future.

[JohnnieMo]

johnnieMo that is exactly what I thought it would look like just thought the 2x4 would help with sagging. Guess they might not be needed.The polly plastic is a great idea, and it is cheep.

There is a board from the tower back to the transom. However I don't think I put a board in the front. The angle was steep enough it wasn't required. I ended up using the lightest weight tarp I could find for this. I felt it would take form easier and put less strain on the tiedowns and the board. I the end I used this for one winter, and then threw it away. They are so cheap, it doesn't make sense to keep them around. I believe it was 30' x 20'

For the record, I would still be doing this method today, except I built a boat-port instead. The issue was never winter storage, as this method works awesome. The issue is the wet snow and rain in the summer/fringe seasons. The boat didn't like that. As said previously, the covers leak and pool. You don't want to leave your boat outside with a normal boat cover.

[IDBoating]

Here in North Idaho where we get many feet of snow annually I'm going to store my 22i outside under a cover.

I live just south of you in Twin Lakes, near Spirit Lake. I totally understand how much snow you get! We've had our lake house now for 13 years. ZERO chance I would store my 24Ve outdoors over the winter unless it was under a very sturdy carport. Too much snow, too many freeze/thaw cycles that can result in (heavy) ice forming on the cover/shrink wrap/whatever and then weighting it down, which leads to pooling, which leads to leaks.... Once the snow is on top you don't really know what is happening under the cover, how much leaking, etc.

I also wouldn't put a heater in the boat. What happens if the melting snow reaches the heater? And you might melt the snow, only to have the water refreeze as ice somewhere else. Possibly somewhere more damaging.

This reminds me of folks who leave their drain plug in over the winter because "the boat is covered, the water can't get in". There are some pretty spectacular photos online showing how such boats have sat all winter filled with water up to the seat cushions. Leaks, condensation, whatever the reason... Nature is working 24/7 against you all winter long, best bias things your direction as much as you can. The best way to avoid snow damage is to not let the snow reach the boat in the first place.

I know indoor/covered storage is expensive. But not as expensive nor inconvenient as needing all sorts of repairs come Springtime. It's a few hundred dollars to protect what is probably one of your most expensive assets. Cost is in the same neighborhood as boating insurance every year, and I wouldn't go without that either.

Just my opinion, YMMV, etc.

[freeheel4life]

^^ Id be concerned about melting water refreezing during periods of low overnight low temps as well. Great point. We shrink boats with towers up and the angle helps slide the snow off once you get into a thaw cycle. If the shrink gets heated until its tight (drum head tight) you can typically just whack the shrink with a broom handle and dry snow will just sluff off.