Uncovered Boat

[Brian Hickson]

What are the major drawbacks/harm in not covering your boat for the winter in the northern latitudes? Is it water freezing in the cockpit or water freezing in hairline deck cracks? I've noticed that about 75% of the sailboats in winter storage remain uncovered and open to the weather. Thanks

[Dana]

What are the major drawbacks/harm in not covering your boat for the winter in the northern latitudes? Is it water freezing in the cockpit or water freezing in hairline deck cracks? I've noticed that about 75% of the sailboats in winter storage remain uncovered and open to the weather. Thanks

_______________

owner of my former marina explained it as you do not want snow/ice to place standing water on a balsa core deck. I took it as blocking proper water drainage.



[img]http://members.aol.com/darenius/CapeDory/cd26_1.jpg[/img]
darenius@aol.com

[Mike Everett]

We were forced to leave our CD28 uncovered the year that we bought her because winter arrived 'way too early.
The most obvious result of exposure to snow and ice was that the brightwork was a total mess. The thawing and freezing peeled off the varnish everywhere snow had accumulated. Oh well, I had wanted to refinish anyway.
The other problem was that the scuppers clogged with ice and dead leaves, leaving pools of ice water in the cockpit and along the toerails. Fortunately this didn't seem to cause any lasting damage.
I figure it's cheap insurance to cover the boat.



everett@megalink.net

[Larry DeMers]

Brian,

Well, there are several things that you prevent by covering your boat during the winter.
..UV exposure during the unused months can be prevented.
..Water and snow accumulation in the cockpit will infiltrate gel
coat cracks, causing increased damages.
..Freezing water in the cockpit will plug your scupper drains, which will allow the water and ice to accumulate and eventually overflow into your salon <bad thing!>.
..Dust and dirt accumulation increase with the boat exposed.

I do not use the blue poly tarps..they are not good enough to withstand a full winter of wind buffeting. We switched over to heavier canvas tarps 8 years ago, and have used the same one ever since. They are heavy and stiff, but boy are they worth it.

Lastly, I guess my sense of seamanship would not allow me to just leave the boat out exposed to the elements unnecessarily. It just does not seem proper to do so. (I know..silly reason, but true).

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
CD30 ~~~~~~Sailing Lake Superior~~~~

What are the major drawbacks/harm in not covering your boat for the winter in the northern latitudes? Is it water freezing in the cockpit or water freezing in hairline deck cracks? I've noticed that about 75% of the sailboats in winter storage remain uncovered and open to the weather. Thanks

demers@sgi.com

[Mike Rose]

Brian,
What type of canvas did you use? Where did you get it? I am currently using the blue poly tarps, but realize a higher quality would be better.

Thanks,
Mike

Brian,

Well, there are several things that you prevent by covering your boat during the winter.
..UV exposure during the unused months can be prevented.
..Water and snow accumulation in the cockpit will infiltrate gel
coat cracks, causing increased damages.
..Freezing water in the cockpit will plug your scupper drains, which will allow the water and ice to accumulate and eventually overflow into your salon <bad thing!>.
..Dust and dirt accumulation increase with the boat exposed.

I do not use the blue poly tarps..they are not good enough to withstand a full winter of wind buffeting. We switched over to heavier canvas tarps 8 years ago, and have used the same one ever since. They are heavy and stiff, but boy are they worth it.

Lastly, I guess my sense of seamanship would not allow me to just leave the boat out exposed to the elements unnecessarily. It just does not seem proper to do so. (I know..silly reason, but true).

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
CD30 ~~~~~~Sailing Lake Superior~~~~

What are the major drawbacks/harm in not covering your boat for the winter in the northern latitudes? Is it water freezing in the cockpit or water freezing in hairline deck cracks? I've noticed that about 75% of the sailboats in winter storage remain uncovered and open to the weather. Thanks

mirose@mediaone.net

[Jerry Axler]

</LI>

Brian,
What type of canvas did you use? Where did you get it? I am currently using the blue poly tarps, but realize a higher quality would be better.

Thanks,
Mike

Brian,

Well, there are several things that you prevent by covering your boat during the winter.
..UV exposure during the unused months can be prevented.
..Water and snow accumulation in the cockpit will infiltrate gel
coat cracks, causing increased damages.
..Freezing water in the cockpit will plug your scupper drains, which will allow the water and ice to accumulate and eventually overflow into your salon <bad thing!>.
..Dust and dirt accumulation increase with the boat exposed.

I do not use the blue poly tarps..they are not good enough to withstand a full winter of wind buffeting. We switched over to heavier canvas tarps 8 years ago, and have used the same one ever since. They are heavy and stiff, but boy are they worth it.

Lastly, I guess my sense of seamanship would not allow me to just leave the boat out exposed to the elements unnecessarily. It just does not seem proper to do so. (I know..silly reason, but true).

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
CD30 ~~~~~~Sailing Lake Superior~~~~

Don't waste your money on the blue tarps. They are not really useful for covering a boat where there is any wind. They usually tear midwinter and then whip around with all those aluminum grommets marking the hull as they whip. West marine or any other supplier has canvas tarps that will last many seasons. I just replaced one after 11 years with a 10x20 for about $85. For less than $10 you can get a grommet maker and custom design the tarp.Along with the other problems mentioned by other, snow accumulation in the cockpit with attendant blockage of the drains could cause water to flood the cockpit and over flow down below, so a cover is a good idea.

Jerry Axler

What are the major drawbacks/harm in not covering your boat for the winter in the northern latitudes? Is it water freezing in the cockpit or water freezing in hairline deck cracks? I've noticed that about 75% of the sailboats in winter storage remain uncovered and open to the weather. Thanks

cutter36@erols.com