[C320-list] Winter Cover Experience

[Rich Allen]

Thank you Dave for the strong endorsement for ShipShape.  Can you describe
yours - is it a boom tent covering the toe rail and the stern?
Rich Allen
1995 C320 #265
Rochester, NY

On Sun, May 5, 2024 at 1:10 PM Dave Hupe <hoopdtwo at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Strongly recommend look into ShipShape Products, Inc. for a winter cover
> https://www.shipshapecanvas.com/index.php
> They have been great to work with and price beat all local suppliers. I
> knew several other owners here that got covers from them before me and are
> very happy..  I have had mine (boat stored on my cradle with mast up during
> the winter) now for 3 years.  I recommended ShipShape to others who also
> are very happy with theirs. I can provide more details if desired.
>
> Dave Hupe
>
> 1994 C320 #32
>
> Holland, MI
>
>
> On Sunday, May 5, 2024 at 12:56:24 PM EDT, Rich Allen via C320-list <
> c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
>
>
> We are starting to shop for a winter cover for our 1995 C320 #265.  We are
> located in Rochester, NY, which has the potential for significant snowfall
> (though very little this year) as well as wind.  Our current cover came
> with the boat when we bought it 2 and a half years ago.  We took delivery
> of the boat in November after it was covered.  The cover uses the mast
> stored horizontally on the deck as the ridge pole, and goes over the
> lifelines covering the hull to the waterline.  The boat was positioned on
> the east side of a boat shed, and a windy lake-effect storm dropped a lot
> of show on the boat caving in the cover and bending a couple of
> stanchions.  Not wanting to repeat that, I have added fir strips to form
> ribs, and additional fir strips on top of the ribs parallel to the
> mast/ridge pole.  The whole affair takes a lot of time to transport,
> assemble and undue in the spring.  And to top it off, the cover is old and
> it leaks, so I put a poly-tarp over top of it.
>
> I think we can do better!
>
> After some research I am finding a few options which I am hoping to hear
> your feedback on, or other options if you have them.
>
> North Shore (http://www.northshorecanvas.net/sailboat-winter-covers.html).
> This uses TopGun fabric and tents over the boom.  A forum post from 2013
> was positive.
>
> TopShop (Quinte Canvas)  (https://www.topshop.on.ca/)
>
> Fairclough (https://fairclough.com/)
>
> The Canvas Store
>
> Kinder Industries
>
> What are your thoughts?  Also I am interested to hear if you take your rig
> down every year, or store with the rig up and the pros and cons.  Our
> current cover uses the mast as the ridge poll, which has some negatives.
> Taking the mast down and putting back up costs over $500 each season, and
> adds a lot of work.  Access to the instruments and wiring is possible,
> though it is difficult.
>
> Rich and Nan Allen
> SV Destiny
> 1995 #265
>