www.iFourWinns.com

My Sundowner 205 1990 has the original vinyl camper top, the boat is new to me & wondering what is the best practice for storing over winter?

The boat will kept in dry but unheated storage in a friends barn. Temps don't get much below freezing round here.

Is it best to leave it up & covered or kept tucked away?

I'm considering leaving mine up, and my boat will sit in the water in a covered slip. I have asked around my marina and the consensus is that there won't be any problems and about 1/2 of the people will leave their camper canvas up all winter rather than use their covers.

_________________
2005 Vista 288 - That's A Winner

If you are going to have inside, no problems with leaving it up. It's more of a concern with snow loads if left outside. The main thing is humidity control and keeping out varmits that will make a mess of things (mice, etc).....

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Our 298V is in a covered slip all year and we do put the camper canvas up during the winter because we stay on the boat on occasion. However, if we were not going to be using the boat at all during the winter, I would opt for the cockpit cover because it does no good having the camper canvas and especially the isinglass exposed regardless of element. It would be better off rolled up in sheets and tucked away.

_________________

Current Boat: 2000 Four Winns 298 Vista
Previous Boat: 2000 Carver 406MY

Up or down, I would make sure you treat the top ahead of time.

_________________
http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Like others have said, if it is inside, then you can leave it up. If you plan on stowing it, remember to ROLL it up like 298VISTA said, don't fold it.

_________________

1996 205 Sundowner DLX
5.0FL Volvo SX Cobra
Tow Veh: 2012 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X

Cheers folks, I'll get it tucked out of the way, rolled up nice & cosy at home.

I have the original full cover for the boat so will use that, with another cover on top to keep the dust off.

You might re-consider using 2 covers. One of the most important issues in storing boats, especially those with a wood/fiberglass construction, is VENTILATION...moist air at a certain range of temperature, promotes ROT...you want more than anything to keep it dry inside and allow air to CIRCULATE...that's why I say one cover, put moisture absorbers inside and open it up and air it out a few times over the winter. The UK is a damp climate like Long Island NY where I live and I'm always trying to air the boat out on a dry sunny day in the winter when I can open up the cover. Two covers =mildew and excessive moisture.....


http://www.rotdoctor.com/glass/GLmain.html

read this, very informative, especially with regards to storage.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II