Thoughts on tarp over tower for the winter

[Scott-clt]

Hello, i was thinking about putting a tarp over my tower running the full-length of my boat as an additional layer of protection for the winter and wondered if this is a good idea or not. I have the factory cover but was thinking an extra layer of protection might help as I’ll be leaving my boat on the trailer outside for the winter. I live in NC so winters are not very harsh. Was going to use bungie cords or water filled containers to keep the tarp tight. Any thoughts on this or tips for storing outdoors over the winter would be appreciated.


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[MJHSupra]

I'm over in TN. I have friend who parks his boat in the corner of the backyard. He used a heavier tarp over the boat cover and fastened to the trailer.
Closed all the moisture entry points. Worked for him.

Every so often (1-2x month) on dry sunny days he would also open a corner of the tarp/cover to let it air-out during the day.

Make sure to get all water out of the hull area. I would buy a few buckets of damp-rid for the inside and open the cushions and storage areas.

Did you look into shrink wrap? That is a good way to go, little pricey.

[996scott]

I have always understood that having a tarp sitting on top of the cover is not a good idea as the tarp will rub/chafe on the cover. If your tarp is over the tower and not rubbing on the cover that would be better, but i would assume that it would still be rubbing on the cover as you pull the tarp down over the sides of the boat. Just my .02

[sandm]

way back in the day I remember hearing the same thing scott points out but that was a long time ago and memories fade.

[MLA]

During the season, I never used the actual boat cover. I just pulled a large tarp over the entire boat/tower, and bungee'd to the trailer. Opened the lockers and let things dry. For longer storage, id put the factory cover on, then pull the tarp over again. Keeps the bird crap and tree sap off the factory cover.

[schwan]

I usually put mine in a pole barn but didn't have room this year. I bought a cover designed for hard top fishing boats, just a generic cover. It fits pretty well. Not ideal but will work. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201124/05fb62c89cee374cdd9d48244050fcbc.jpg

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[MJHSupra]

For longer storage, id put the factory cover on, then pull the tarp over again. Keeps the bird crap and tree sap off the factory cover.

Agree, I would do this during the summer when I pulled my boat next to the house under the trees. Sap was a pain in the azz.

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[Scott-clt]

Thanks for the feedback!

Good suggestion on the damp rid buckets. That stuff worked great in my old mastercraft over the winter and have 2 buckets in my Moomba for this winter.

I took a look at shrink wrapping but the cost has me looking at alternatives

One thing that concerns me with the tarp I have is that I’m not sure it will completely cover the boat. Seems like there is going to be some small opening on the side of the tower. I thought this might be a good way to get some air flow between the tarp and the factory cover but maybe I need to rethink that if this opening could let in moisture and trap it in there?

Going to take a look the cost of a covers like schwan has or at a bigger tarp that will not have openings when it’s over the tower.

But keep the suggestions/thoughts coming


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[Scott-clt]

I usually put mine in a pole barn but didn't have room this year. I bought a cover designed for hard top fishing boats, just a generic cover. It fits pretty well. Not ideal but will work. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201124/05fb62c89cee374cdd9d48244050fcbc.jpg

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Going to look into something like this. Do you remember where you purchased and the cost?


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[schwan]

Yeah, sealskin covers, I bought this one, my 16 mojo is 23ft, I bought the 23'6" cover and it did just make it over the rear platform. I got their higher quality one. I'd say it should make it a few years. Cheaper than shrink wrapping. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201124/91c44a5e1d8f0351442d40560544f3c9.jpg

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[schwan]

Oh and I was going to say I tried a large tarp, can't remember exact size, but bigger than the boat needs, and it was way tough to get it to stay well strapped down. That's why I bought the cover.

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[zabooda]

I tried a couple of large blue tarps once. The tarps flapped in the wind. I ended up taking everything off the tower for the winter.

[MJHSupra]

Are you folding the tower down?

[jason1973]

personally i would for sure. when my boat sat in summer before i had a canopy on my lift i took a tarp and made a taco and wrapped it around the top of the tower. The sides of the tower where showing but it covered the top and protected the speakers. I also made side skirts out of a sunbrella material i picked up on ebay to cover the sides. I just tied them to the cleats and tower and they hung under the cover.

[Scott-clt]

I was going to leave the tower up to create slope so water, leaves, debris ect runs off. Also so there is some airflow between the tarp and the factory cover if that makes sense. Thought it would be better than the tarp directly over the factory cover?


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[Scott-clt]

I really like the DIY skirt idea. Going to look and see if I can find some material to do something like that.


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