www.iFourWinns.com

Hi I have a 2002 200 Horizon and have noticed in the past year or so that I have some type of static electricty problem going on with my cockpit cover as I can feel the static buildup when the cover is on and I touch the underside of it. I don't get shocked or see sparks I can just feel the buildup and if my head is under it I can feel my hair start to standup. I have never gotten a shock from the carpet or the cover and the main issue is it seems to really attract the dirt and dust to the cover instead of repelling it away. I don't notice it on the bow cover at all. I recentely purchased a different type of material (hot shot breathable nylon) full mooring cover and over this past weekend I noticed that it seemed to have a static charge building up as well and did notice that the cover seemed dirtier looking in appearance on the outside of it. I live in Michigan my boat is kept in the water in a boat slip the majority of the summer long. I haven't had any circuit breakers or fuses go out and no other symptoms. So my main question is how do I get rid of this problem and keep the static away for good? What could be causing this static electricity issue?

Hmmm... interesting problem... I suggest the static is caused by the nylon cover rubbing on the cockpit cover in the wind, and the fix may be as simple as a wire clipped to the cover/s running down to the water to make sure it is discharged all the time. If that works, then maybe instead of running it to the water, a more permanent fix may be to connect it to an earth point on the boat wiring which in theory will run through the block and leg to the water.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Ok to clear things up the hot shot nylon type fabric cover is not on top of the cockpit cover or the bow cover. It's the only cover on the boat connected with 2 support poles one in the bow area the other in the rear cockpit area. Plus as I said the static problem was happening with the stock four winns cockpit cover for awhile now. I thought about using a grounding strap someplace, but am wondering if something happend with an electronic component in the boat which might be the root cause of the static problem. The ground cable is securely connected to the battery and all of my guages have been working fine! Any other suggestions out there?

You may go to the grocery store and check out the laundry section....they have those towlets you chunk in the dryer that removes static. Try getting a box of those and rub a couple of them on your top. Works on clothes - why not tops????

Plus you will get that clean fresh smell:)

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


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

One question - are you trailering your boat or do you have it in a slip at a marina???? If marina is the answer you may be at what they refer to as a "hot marina".......increased water current at a marina will create static electricity as the water continually flows around the metal structure. If not at a marina then never-mind:)

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


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi