Protecting Boat in Winter Storage

[LSV04]

Hey
Every year I build this blue tarp monster in my yard to cover my boat. Looks like crap and I end up adjusting it in snow and heavy rain all winter. Anyone use a tent like structure that will protect their boat that you can buy somewhere?. Wish I had a garage!!! Cost and an "ok" from my town & neighbors for a shed or garage is out right now. Where do ya all store your boats in winter?Any tips appreciated.
Thanks

[MartinCaron]

I covered it like you for the two past years and it was a huge pain in the a$$. Last week i bought a Tempo Shelter 12 x 24 with oval tubing and windows. Total 412$.
I will now be able to work on the boat during early spring.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:pfJd0IiSQlUz5M:http://catalog.sears.ca/wcsstore/MasterCatalog/images/catalog/75/04/060375048_1_244.jpg&t=1

[zabooda]

I just use my custom cover that is made out of 15 year Top Gun. I used to put a blue tarp over that but I quit doing that thinking that moisture could be trapped between the tarps and the movement of the blue tarp could wear on the fabric.

[maxpower220]

When I lived up north, I used shrink wrap to make a "cover" on my Malibu. I did it for 2 winters in OK that included a few ice storms. I winterized like normal and allowed the boat to be completely dry (carpets and vinyl). Then, I bought 2 rolls from a moving store and made several passes back and forth. You can use a couple of PVC pipes to create as much pitch as you need/want or you can make it so the stock cover goes on over like normal.

It worked like a charm, the boat smelled like new in the spring when I unwrapped it. I will probably do it to the Outback this year if I can't find indoor storage.

Oh yeah, my wife made fun of me the first year until we opened it up in the spring and then she was a believer.

[deerfield]

Where do ya all store your boats in winter?

LS - Our Suburban graciously gives up her space in our two-car garage for our '07 Outback, which stays under cover from October until April/May. If I was a rich guy I'd pay for indoor storage at some offsite location. My concern with the tent setup is that the wind, ice, and snow of the Midwest winter would make a mess of it Winter here in the Chicago area can be brutal. - Deerfield

[wolfeman131]

I'm far from being a rich guy, but my neighbor isn't! He's loaded and ownes the Malibu 247 in the left of this pic. Find a rich neighbor or friend and split the cost of a larger storage unit. We get both boats & 3 sea doos in a 20 x 40 unit w/ a 10 ft door and each pay only $100 a month from November thru March. Well worth the peace of mind for me and lack of worrying (i.e. nagging) from my wife.

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd344/wolfeman131/Moomba/IMG00001-20081220-1234.jpg

[sandm]

wolf, that's a good idea. save the "base" charge for the unit since the larger the unit, it doesn't escalate in cost at the same rate..
you should post that up on ww..


I am glad that I have a 3-stall garage that the boat fits nicely in :)