Before you know it, we will be uncovering our boats as we prepare them for spring launch. For most of us, it is a perennial time of year. It never gets old if you are really into boating. Most of us who store our boats for winter cover them in some manner to protect them from harsh winter conditions. Even those who winter over in their slips, if they do not use their boats for die-hard ling or herring fishing, generally cover the topside in some manner. The reason is that ice (real ice, not the other ICE) and cold weather damage your gel coat over time. If there are any cracks where water can seep in and then freeze, the ice will expand, and over repeated action will spread that crack ever wider and compromise the deck, hull, and cabin. If you leave uncovered vinyl seat covering, etc. In a few years, it’s goodbye to them. It’s what bad winter does-It destroys!
There are methods to alleviate the problem, and that is with a fitted boat cover, tarp, or shrink wrap. Each method has its own benefits and problems. Let’s take the cheapest version first. You buy a grommeted canvas or vinyl tarp. Canvas lasts longer, and vinyl you’ll be buying every two years. Both of these require both time and effort to cover your boat. You have to make your own support system so that water does not pool up. You have to tie it on with sturdy line and try to stretch it as tight as you can. You can’t have anything flapping that will cause it to fly off in a strong Nor’easter, which will find you redoing it when the wind stops, if it hasn’t blown across the bay and into my yard on Oak Island. Basically, it amounts to this: In the short term, it’s the cheapest, and in the long term, it’s a repeat cost and a pain in the Aft.
The next version is an easier fix. A custom-made waterproof canvas cover works well. It can be fitted to cover the entire vessel and can also cover your outboards. They are relatively easy to put on and tie down with custom-placed grommets to hold them in place. Side note is this – Always pick an extremely windy and cold day to apply a fitted or just a plain canvas. It adds interest to your already boring “I don’t have my boat in the water” life. The issue with the fitted canvas is this. Fitted covers are almost always custom-made, though they do have some stock ones on the internet, but they are expensive, and should the tie downs give, and it flies away, you just lost quite a few dollars.
The next means of covering your boat is with a quality shrinkwrap. Most shrink wrap today is made from recycled materials. When it is applied to your boat, it is tight as a drum, and there is no moisture getting in. When shrink is done correctly, it is impervious to harsh winds and will not split in extreme temperatures. Nothing is flapping around. If you want, you can have a zippered entrance, put in so you can enter the boat to keep yourself busy on some warmer winter days, while you play around with the wiring for a while and wonder why nothing works come launch day. I’ve been inside, and it can feel very homey inside. I have actually slept very comfortably in some unknown boats in a marina near me when my love and I have an occasional disagreement. Last winter, I spent over 30 nights in a big Sea Ray in Merrick called “Moon Light”.
Shrink is a yearly repeating but not an overwhelming cost. It’s unbeatable when it’s done right. At marinas, they make sure that it is all picked up and recycled again, making it an environmentally sound option. Many sanitation departments also look after it properly. If you are not in a marina, there are services that come right to your door and walk to your dock and complete the task and even will shrink cover your grill and patio furniture and protect them from the ravages of winter. This fall, I actually had my annoying neighbor, Mel and his wife, Anita shrink-wrapped. I check on them every other day. They seem fine and continue to argue about who knows what.
That’s the lowdown on boat covers. In a month or two, they’ll be coming off. Can’t wait! See you safely on the water, wearing your life jacket, of course.
Captain Eddy (Retired)
To contact Captain Eddy with any salutations, gifts of money, or bitter complaints -marksea46@gmail.com
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