Might be crazy -- and need tarp size for CD-28!

[Roy J.]

Well - after a ton of health problems and not launching Auburn for 2 years, I still made the move and am the proud new owner of Nonsly, CD-28! In my opinion, a finer boat can't be found on the east coast, and the transfer from Stan W. was a pleasure. My health is improving and by the time the New England weather is conducive to sailing -- both the (as yet uunamed) new boat and I should be ready. Until then, 28 owners who use heavy duty grey tarps for winter cover, what size do you use?

A pleasure to be back on the board, and to be thinking about sailing and boats, instead of the other stuff.

Best,

Roy

[Oswego John]

Welcome back, Roy. We missed you.

It doesn't seem like a very long time ago when you told us about how you came about selecting AUBURN as a name for your new boat. We will be watching for the new name that you select.

We wish you good health and many happy sailing experiences with your new boat.

Best regards,
O J

[John Ring]

Congrats! And welcome back!

John

[Roy J.]

Any advice on the right tarp size for the winter cover? Is 30X40 big enough?

many thanks.

Roy

[Klem]

Roy,

I have a 30 not a 28 but I found that a 20'X40' was just enough and I suspect that the same is true for a 28. A lot will depend on your framing system. With a really tall frame, you will need a wider tarp. We have a Kover Klamps frame which I made a little higher than most and the 20' width was just right. I prefer not to have anything go too far down the topsides as it just scuffs them up. If you have the rig up, think about going to 2 tarps and sewing them together around the shrouds. I think that we used a 15' and a 20' for this, both with 20' width.

[John Ring]

I think I was using a 20'x40' green tarp. I used the mast as a ridge pole, set on doubled up 2x3s on the pulpits. I also had a short plywood box support at the mast step. With the ridge set that low, I had to remove the lifelines & stanchions to make the tarp steep enough to shed snow.

John

[Mike Thompson]

I have recently bought two silver/black tarps 16x20 and 18x24.
The large one is lengthwise from the stern and smaller one is placed sideways across the bow.
I usually store the boat with the mast up so these two canvases meet at the mast.

I put up the same wooden frame every year with all the pieces marked. Old canvas are laid on the
frame to reduce chafing and the new canvases tied over them.

The previous canvases lasted five years. They were green/black.

Mike

[Brian2]

I have a 28 and use two 20 x 30 heavy duty tarp (gray/black). I have a tall frame, basically a giant sawhorse with four supports, 6 feet high. I leave the bow a little open, and the stern a little open to allow venting. I use an older tarp over a new one for winter, and I slightly overlap the tarps. Come Spring, I remove one of the tarps.

[Paul D.]

Have you considered shrink wrapping for this year and then cutting it off in the spring so you can reuse? It creates a very tight and slippery tarp that is form fitted to your boat. I've used this method for six years and it really works. If you consider it, PM me for some specifics as there is a certain way to removing the film that first time.

[Roy J.]

Thanks everyone for your replies, good wishes and advice. I am kind of committed to silver heavy duty poly tarp this year. I have a couple of old 20x30's from Auburn covers that I will use as under layers (great idea!) and Hamilton Marine gave a good price on a 30x40, which on Auburn have done pretty well lasting 3-4 years. Paul, About how much does the original shrink wrapping cost. I am pretty certain I would prefer to pay for that as I don't have the equip, and really don't want to set fire to the new boat before it sees the beautiful waters of Marblehead/MA Bay.

[Joe Myerson]

Roy,
The first year I decided to "save money" by not shrinkwrapping my 25D, I bought an enormous tarp (can't remember the dimensions). It was a bear to put up and ended up getting shredded in high winds and heavy snow. The fellow in whose parking lot I was keeping the boat at the time said most of his customers used two, or even three smaller tarps, which made it easier to cover the boat, and easier to get inside for spring work. I tried that last winter. It worked better.

This year I'm going to either shrinkwrap (about $300.00) or buy an aluminum frame from Fairclough ($700) and use an old Fairclough canvas cover. I think I'm going to use the Fairclough. (Warning: a complete Fairclough setup will cost you something north of $2,500.)

Good luck and welcome back.

--Joe

P.S. Stan's boat has an enviable racing record. Are you planning to match it?

[Roy J.]

Joe -- given Stan's record, I don't think I am even up to hoping to match it. I do love the BHIR and hope to participate next year, but winning would require a lot of luck or brilliant crew -- like I could ask Stan if he is free. Mostly the family and I were looking to increase our cruising range and comfort (standing head room! what a concept!) and as Stan says, nobody buys a Cape Dory for PHRF racing.

[Brian2]

I'd use the old tarps on top of the new tarp. It keeps the new tarp new by protecting from UV. Also, I tried 30 x 40 once, and it was way to big. Either the 40' was on the ground beam to beam, or really hung over the stern and bow. 20' is about perfect width, though 30' is a bit short in length. That is why I use two, and the 30' overlap slightly.

I cover the boat with one tarp and secure it. Then I roll back a few feet thereby uncovering the cockpit. Then I fold the second tarp lengthwise accordion style (so it will easily unfold). Then I tie the ends and the middle with short stuff so it doesn't unravel. I attach really long lines to each side/end that will be at the bow, and also a really really long line to the middle tarp grommet that will be about on top of the ridgepole. Now I have a giant accordion folded tarp, about 2' by 20'.

Next I roll one side towards the middle, then the other side. No I have a 2' x 4' or so. I go into the boat and put the tarp on the ridgepole. I let one side roll down the starboard side, and the other roll down the port side. Untie the middle and ends, but leave the really long lies. Secure the stern lightly. Now take the long lines and pull toward the bow, one side at a time, little by little, and the tarp should unfold like an accordion right over the 1st tarp.

Unroll a little at the cockpit, pull the 1st tarp back over the cockpit, then then 2nd, and secure.

[jbenagh]

Roy, it's nice to have you back!

When I used a tarp, I found it useful to pre-fold/roll it before I got to the boat. I laid it out full-size, then 2-3 folds, per side toward the centerline. Then I rolled from each end toward the middle. Secure the whole bundle with shock cords or sail ties. When on the boat place the whole assembly near the middle of the boat. I had two grommets that let me secure it to the frame (oh I did say to put the frame up first, right?). Unroll each end, secure at the ends and it will mostly unfold itself down the sides of the frame. Getting the cover off was always just a mess.

That said, I have shrink wrapped Christine C which appears to require less maintenance. Mostly this is because I store her further away.

Jeff

[NateHanson]

I've always shrinkwrapped my boats myself. For the cost of one professional job you can buy all the materials you'll need for 3-5 coverings, and the torch (I use a $40 roofing torch, not the $300 professional shrinkwrap torch).

The frame is pretty basic, because it's mostly made up of the strapping. For previous boats I've used a couple 2x4s to make a ridge, and for this one I've made 3 arches out of EMT conduit, that go in the stanchion bases. Those are secured by 3 longitudinal runs of strapping.

Your first job might take the better part of a day, but soon you get it figured out and it only takes a couple hours for a 25 footer. This year (for the first time) I just last year's cover at the stern, and put it back on this fall. Done in an hour.

Tarps sound like a nightmare to me. I put them on my wood pile and they're a pain. Flapping, tearing, rotting in the sun. Shedding bits of plastic everywhere. Maybe there's something to how I use them. Sounds like others are having more luck with them than I have had.