Covering Adventure with Tarp

[seasick]

I'm a shrink wrap kind of guy. The tarp moving back and forth during heavy winds could damage the gell coat.

Yea I fretted about the possibility of the tarp damaging the gelcoat but I have not had a single issue with that. You just need to keep it tight and have a good frame in place. What's critical is having the boat close by so you can check on it. I would not tarp the boat if it were an hour away. Cheaper than shrink wrap and less work.

We usually do not have gel coat damage from shrink wrap but we have had extensive issues with painted hulls ( not colored hulls with gel coat)

 

[Jonah]

Ok everyone, you win! I gave it some thought, and remembered that we have some lumber in the back yard, and even some wood screws and a hand-saw. I eye-balled the angles, but I think it'll do the job. Not bad for doing most of it after work last week (meaning, in the dark). Didn't have any carpet for the top beam, but layered it with some duct tape, and will tie rags onto the corners before I put the tarp on top.

Thanks again for the advice, inspiration, and pictures. Never would have thought of this on my own. Image attached.

 

[seasick]

Looks good, just add a few ratchet/clamp straps to the front portion to insure that the frame won't move and you should be good to go. As mentioned, the harbor freight type of straps have a hook that just fits the bow rail diameter.

 

[Lt.Mike]

Jonah your frame looks good. Making it tall should help it shed snow. Mine was handed over to me by the prior owner and wasn't nearly as tall off the deck. In fact it was windshield height. I had to go out and broom it off a couple times through each snowstorm. It was a PITA!
I predict you will do much better.
:goodjob

 

[DennisG01]

That looks like it will do just fine, Jonah. I might put one more triangular brace in the front, but the overhang isn't really all that much. Depending on how tight you think you can get the tarp, you could run more rope (non-stretch, like poly rope) in a similar fashion as that aft rope you have. Maybe every 4' or so along the ridge, run another piece port to starboard. That would just help to keep the tarp from getting a "belly" or allowing puddling. Looks good, though.

 

[Jonah]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to avoid adding another triangular brace to the front end, just so that it's easier to disassemble each year. Right now, all I need to do is remove one screw holding the front post in place, and then I can remove the two back posts and the top beam all in one piece. But yes, I'll definitely run another rope around the front post, so that it won't wiggle free.

Thanks again!

 

[JeffN]

Looks good. I have used a 1 1/2" PVC frame braced with wood spreaders and a tarp on my boat for years, no problems. The boat is in my yard so I can keep an eye on it and adjust if needed but after all these years it all works very well in my situation. As for adding grommets and the like don't bother, I just put a tennis or golf ball on the backside of the tarp and tie my line around the base of the ball on the outside of the tarp. Never rips out.

I used shrink wrap one year and had mold problems. I get at least four winters out of one of the 20 x 30 silver and black tarps that cost around $100. I leave an open area behind the stern and at the bow for air circulation and the boat is very happy inside. My frame goes on in about 1.5 hours and breaks down in a lot less.

 

[ROBERTH]

I used a tarp and built a 1" PVC structure to allow the tarp to have a peak for snow/rain to run off. I just used the grommets and rope to tie off to trailer. Also used some bungees periodically to keep it taught.
The back has a peak which keeps it open and I can still enter/exit during the season as well as get good circulation. Hardly any rain gets in, a few leaves blow in, but that is the extent of the weather that gets in the back.
Going into 5th season on this tarp, and it is doing well. Some pin holes now, so will replace it next season.

 

[Socalinsd]

What do you guys think about no tarp at all ? I store my 208 outside uncovered but the average temps are typically low 70s, no humidity sunny year round. I'm thinking maybe I can get away with just more frequent waxings.

 

[trapper]

Socal, At 70 degrees, don't you boat year around? trapper :mrgreen:

 

[Socalinsd]

Socal, At 70 degrees, don't you boat year around? trapper :mrgreen:

Pretty much but right now mostly just halibut and rockfish. We had an epic summer with the El Nino, Marlin l,tuna and wahoo just a few miles outside the harbor.

 

[Lt.Mike]

Socal, At 70 degrees, don't you boat year around? trapper :mrgreen:

Pretty much but right now mostly just halibut and rockfish. We had an epic summer with the El Nino, Marlin l,tuna and wahoo just a few miles outside the harbor.

"Just halibut", if 70 degrees wasn't enough he says "just halibut", tuna. wahoo (???) :bang
Oh what I would give to be able to go out here for halibut. Tuna, wahoo, hardly worth the effort... :roll:
Seriously, your killing me :lol:

 

[Socalinsd]

Socal, At 70 degrees, don't you boat year around? trapper :mrgreen:

Pretty much but right now mostly just halibut and rockfish. We had an epic summer with the El Nino, Marlin l,tuna and wahoo just a few miles outside the harbor.

"Just halibut", if 70 degrees wasn't enough he says "just halibut", tuna. wahoo (???) :bang
Oh what I would give to be able to go out here for halibut. Tuna, wahoo, hardly worth the effort... :roll:
Seriously, your killing me :lol:

When its not tuna season, Halibut and Yellowtail are usually plentiful. Here are two of the better grade California Halibut we got last year.

 

[Lt.Mike]

Those could just about eat what we consider a keeper fluke (summer flounder).
It's official, I'm jealous. :mrgreen:

 

[Socalinsd]

Those could just about eat what we consider a keeper fluke (summer flounder).
It's official, I'm jealous. :mrgreen:

I'm originally from the northeast and used to love catching flounder, rarely got any legal fluke though. Our halibut fishery has been getting better every year since the gillnet ban back in the late 90s. A lot of rec guys out here don't even target them.

Last year we had triple digit bluefin that fishery also continues to improve substantially.

 

[Lt.Mike]

Yes in the east at least in NJ the two biggies for inshore fishing are Fluke and Striped Bass. The regs for fluke for recreational fishing is 5 fish at 18".
Good luck getting your limit. Can't say how many 17" fish we've thrown back.
This while the commercial fisheries can take 14" fish and then shovel the by-catch of short fish that die on the deck overboard.
It's frustrating to say the least.

 

[Socalinsd]

Yes in the east at least in NJ the two biggies for inshore fishing are Fluke and Striped Bass. The regs for fluke for recreational fishing is 5 fish at 18".
Good luck getting your limit. Can't say how many 17" fish we've thrown back.
This while the commercial fisheries can take 14" fish and then shovel the by-catch of short fish that die on the deck overboard.
It's frustrating to say the least.

Frustrating indeed that's how it was out here in the late 90s early 2000s, very rare to catch a legal 22" halibut. Now that the commercial pressure has been substantially reduced, the stock is making a great comeback. Our limit in socal is 5 22" fish per day. You can catch them all year but gets really good during the spring months.