[C320-list] Winter Covering

[wflowe3 at netscape.net]

 I bought a custom cover this year  from The Canvas Store in Hunnington NY . It is the more expensive "over the rail" size and was about $2200 delivered. It comes in three zip together sections and you install it yourself.

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Thompson <surprise at thompson87.com>
To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
Sent: Sun, Nov 1, 2009 12:19 pm
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Winter Covering









I can't argue with anything below except the decision to store the boat 
with boarding ladder down.  My impression is that it is extremely hard 
on the boat to use the boarding ladder to climb on board when the boat 
is on the hard.  I have numerous stress cracks in my transom that I 
attribute to this practice.  For the past few years I have opted instead 
for removing the boarding ladder altogether so that no one is tempted to 
use it this way.  Removing it also leaves the transom open to make it 
easy to get onboard or off.  I just use a small folding stepladder when 
I visit the boat.  This works out nicely. 
 

BTW, I ran the numbers on getting a custom cover made for my boat by a 
local canvas shop in Annapolis, comparing this to shrink-wrap cost.  My 
impression is that you need to get a good ten years out of the cover, 
not counting any installation costs, to get ahead of annual shrinkwrap 
costs.  Of course the cover is a lot more environmentally friendly. 
 

Scott Thompson 

Surprise, #653 
 

Andrew Santangelo wrote: 

> Hello Max, 

> 
> Well I did several different methods of winter storage.  Here we go: 

> 
> * Two seasons indoor storage.  Pros: Nice and warm AND protected inside; 
> you have a comfy environment to work in during the winter.  Cons: Very 
> expensive; must step, unstep the mast - marina damaged the cables doing 
> this one time.  Grrrrrr. 

> * Three seasons outdoor storage, no shrink wrap, mast up, dodger up.  
> Pros: Cheap, and lazy approach.  Cons: Boat is very dirty in the spring, 
> lots of clean-up. No protection when working and visiting the boat in 
> the winter. 

> * Eight seasons outdoor storage, shrink wrap, dodger off, mast up. 
> Shrink wrap had a zipper door at the transom/ladder and the ladder was 
> left down during the shrink wrapping process.  Pros: Cheaper than indoor 
> storage, but protected inside the cockpit and deck.  On a sunny winter 
> day it can actually be warm in the cockpit and cabin. Everything well 
> protected and fairly clean.  Cons: Somewhat expensive compared to no 
> covering.  Some what of a pain unwrapping the boat; on the other hand 
> treat it as a spring present you are opening! 

> 
> The last option worked best for me. 

> 
> FYI:  When the boat was delivered to SFO everyone thought it was a new 
> or nearly new boat.  They did not realize it was a 1996 vessel.  The 
> great benefits of fresh water sailing.  Of course now I torment the boat 
> with salt water! 

> 
> Best Regards, 

> Andrew 

> 
> C320 "Dawn Treader" 

> #333 

> Pier 39 SFO 

> 
> On Oct 31, 2009, at 12:24 PM, Max Ruddy wrote: 

> 
>> Hey everyone...  Does everyone cover there boat when on the hard in 
>> winter, cold climates like that of Michigan, Maine, Colorado etc.  
>> What are the various recommendations.  I assume most leave the stick 
>> up when covering? 

>> 

>> Thanks, 

>> 

>> Max 

>> Sail la vie #277 

>  

-- 
Scott Thompson 

Surprise, #653