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| Winter cover https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2611 |
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| Author: | wkearney99 [ Wed Nov 12, 2008 10:27 am ] |
| Post subject: | Winter cover |
Bit the bullet and ordered a winter cover from Fisher. Won't be cheap (~$2400) but better than squandering $400 every year on shrinkwrap. Or leaving it uncovered and dealing the elements (fading canvas, wax, chalking, etc). Hopefully it'll be in decent enough shape when we sell the boat to be an added feature. They're going to come down at the end of November to get it set up. I'll post pictures of the process then. |
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| Author: | Cattailspa [ Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
We are on our second season with ours. Works great. |
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| Author: | cougarcruiser [ Wed Nov 12, 2008 12:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
When you use a cover like one from Fisher, Do you just leave your bimini top up to support it? What do you do about moisture control? |
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| Author: | Cattailspa [ Wed Nov 12, 2008 8:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
Here is a picture of ours. We take our bimini top down . And I have a 2x4 frame for the front to support the cover. Also they have vents built in to circulate the air. This is the second year for this one. We had one for our 268 Vista also. We used that one 4 times. Never had a problem. Fisher makes a very nice covers.  
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| Author: | hancoveguy [ Sun Nov 16, 2008 11:20 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
Hello all, Keeping in ind that I am a total novice here... Is it better to buy a cover than pay to shrink every year? Are the covers easy to use and how long can I expect to get out of them? $2400 cover = 6 years of shrink... is that about right? |
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| Author: | wkearney99 [ Sun Nov 16, 2008 6:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
Yes, your math is about right. I'm figuring the cover will be good for up to a decade. Another upside to the cover is flexibility on when it gets covered and uncovered. Should there be a need to get into the boat during the off season you're not stuck with ripping off the shrink. Like to add something to an area too tightly covered by the shrink. I've amended my order and we're getting the in-water variation. While we'll have the boat out this year, we may keep it in the water during other winters. The major difference between them is the in-water cover is a bit higher at the bottom and also has holes to accommodate lines from the cleats. |
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| Author: | Cattailspa [ Mon Nov 24, 2008 9:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
Did you get your cover yet Bill? |
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| Author: | wkearney99 [ Tue Nov 25, 2008 5:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
Cattailspa wrote: Did you get your cover yet Bill? Frank Fisher's coming down this afternoon to measure it up. I'm getting the in-water version of the cover as we won't always take it out each winter. It's out this season because it's getting the bottom painted next spring. I don't feel like trying to rush the to get it properly scheduled next spring so it's out now. I figure that'll also give me the chance to do some other stuff (like maybe some underwater lights). |
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| Author: | wkearney99 [ Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
The cover arrived this past Friday. Just in time for the 20F weather to hit the area. Snow tomorrow. So I won't be putting it on for a little while yet. Meanwhile, anyone build a frame for one of these? I'm looking for construction tips... |
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| Author: | LouC [ Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
I have built a frame for the custom cover I have for my 20' bowrider. I looked at the frames built for shrink wrap for some of the big boats at local marinas, and what I did was use a long piece of wood (about 3/4 in thick, 2 in wide and long enough to stretch from the windshield frame to the rear railing at the stern. This I also supported with pvc plastic piping, duct taped to the wood, with bases to sit on the deck of the boat. This is the main support for the cover. For the bow area, and for crosswise supports, I used the flexible bows made of fiberglass that you can buy at West Marine or Overtons. These are very strong but a bit pricey, you probably could use wood strips as well. Each year I have added a few more for more support, now it doesn't sag much under a snow and ice load. It's also a good idea to use pipe insulation to pad all sharp areas such as the windshield frame. Basically what you are doing is similar to a convertible frame for a car. |
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| Author: | Brett248Vista [ Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
Second season on my semi-custom Carver, solution dyed 6oz. Sharkskin cover, still looks brand new... The boat just had a foot of snow on it and the cover never budged... (and I don't have supports under it). Best $600 I spent 
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| Author: | Teacher Todd [ Mon Jan 26, 2009 11:06 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
I just built a shop to put it so I don't have to worry about covers. 
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| Author: | Brett248Vista [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 12:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
Todd, That is certainly the *ideal* solution and I'm half way there... The slab is poured anyway.. Now all I need is four walls and a roof!
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| Author: | wkearney99 [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:28 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
Teacher Todd wrote: I just built a shop to put it so I don't have to worry about covers. Some of us prefer something a bit larger than one would normally trailer. Size, the admiral says, matters. 
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| Author: | Brett248Vista [ Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Winter cover |
Bill, Keep telling yourself that Your boat is trailerable! Sure you need the right truck (an F650 will suffice) and you will need a custom lowboy trailer, probably hydraulic but it can be done!
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