Do you put on side canvases/curtains after every use?

B

bythecshore

New Member
Jun 30, 2013
27
CT
Boat Info
280 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 220's
I use my boat mostly on weekends. On Sunday, I check the forecast for the coming week, and if there's any rain predicted, I put on the side canvases to protect the interior (which is kind of a pain). I always leave the bimini top on.

I notice that many similar boats in my marina don't put on the side canvases like I do, basically leaving them off all summer.

So I'm curious if this is a good/bad thing to do? Will it hurt my boat's interior to let it get rained on? Whats do others do?

I have a 2007 280 Sea Ray. It has a cabin with closable door. The upper deck has a carpet that would get rained on... a problem? Or does it dry quickly?
 
I always put my cockpit cover on even with my boat being stored in indoor dry storage. Dust etc always finds it's way onto everything if you don't. Previously with my cruiser which was in an uncovered slip, during the summer I left the cockpit cover on, during the winter I left the full canvas up. If I had a cruiser now, I would get a cover made from Sunbrella that zips in like the isinglass but it is solid instead of the cockpit cover, makes it much easier to get on the boat, not having to crawl under a cockpit cover. Bottom line, I would never leave a boat totally uncovered when I was away. Rain and the morning dew all over the seats and dash is not good, and the daily sun even in the north I think would take it's toll quickly.
 
Even when were on the boat I put my canvas up at nite. The overnite dew will make a mess over time !

Rob
 
Mine is on a trailer and up until the end of June, stayed under a shed I had built. We moved and currently the boat is stored outside. I am like Bill. I cannot leave it uncovered. Keeping everything 100% waxed will help with the elements. However, the dash, steering wheel, and vinyl will suffer. I keep my cockpit cover on and yes, it is a pain to crawl under. I also have a cheap, custom tarp to go over the bow rails to keep the sun off of the bow and the same for the transom and swim platform. My carpet is 2-pieces. I pull it up and store it in the cabin after a weekend of use. If we are on the water and if there is a chance of rain and I do not feel like putting up the camper canvas, I pull the carpet and again, place it in the cabin. My carpet looks like new and the black backing is also in perfect shape. It takes the carpet forever to dry hanging over a fence with air getting to both sides. It would take days to dry left on the floor.

Just my $0.02 and I am anal about keeping it covered.

Bennett
 
Thanks all - sounds like everyone keeps the covers on like I do. I hadn't thought of taking the carpets in as an alternative... I'll have to try that.
 
I keep my cover on but it attracts spiders- without the cover they stay away from my boat. how so many spiders get into the middle of the ocean is a mystery to me.
 
An idea- my wife sewed up some flat cotton panels that are to the size of our isenglass panels. During the day when we remove them. We stack them in the v-berth with a cotton panel between them and keep them flat.
 
Kinda like leaving your car windows down in my opinion. I have snap on covers for my enclosure to protect vinyl from UV, which is just as much a problem as rain/dirt....... if not more so.

isenglass covers.jpg
 
I use the cockpit cover in the summer and the camper enclosure in the winter. I never leave the boat uncovered.
 
Camper canvas on every time we leave the boat unless we came in at night and will be heading back out the next morning. Florida sun will ruin vinyl in no time and the rains come down just about everyday.
 
Cover your boat. Stays nicer much longer!
 
my boat is under a covered slip and I always cover it either with a cockpit cover (warm months) or full camper canvas (cold months)....the cover keeps the cockpit clean and lessens the time to get the boat ready to take out the next time....

my cockpit cover has a long zipper that runs from the transom door to the front of the radar arch on the port side......this helps to make it easier to get into the cockpit or the cabin if needed when the cover is installed.....

cliff
 
Canvas is a RPITA, but until something better comes along, a necessary RPITA. Keeps the elements and critters out and is the closest you are going to get to garaging your boat.
 
Black Valkyrie said:
I keep my cover on but it attracts spiders- without the cover they stay away from my boat. how so many spiders get into the middle of the ocean is a mystery to me.
Click to expand...

I have found that scented dryer sheets help in keeping the spider population to a minimum.

Bennett
 
I cover mine (back curtain) when we're not there or when it rains while we are there. The rain makes a mess of the white seats. They're a bear to clean. Windows stay up except when cruising.
 
I like the cockpit cover best, for my 280. I don't put in on every day, because I often use it daily. If it rains or gonna be a few days, I'll cover it.

Putting the eisenglass in takes much longer, doesn't protect as well, and I don't want it wearing out either. I used to do that in my 31 Formula and took twice as long.... real PITA.
 
I take all my canvas down when I got out this time of year, and put it all back up when I leave. It takes maybe 10 mins. It's worth it to keep the rain and sun off the interior.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk...
 
On both of my boats, the 270SD and the 400EC I have full canvas. The 270 has everything. Camper, windshield cover, isinglass cover, Bimini and more. I leave the front and rear drop down covers on and the Bimini. Easy to unzip but keeps things cleaner and dry. The 400EC is getting new Bimini and a cockpit cover. The old Bimini (white) is only 4 years old but the front and side isinglass is getting old and the back drop down curtains are dying. So for now the Bimini and cockpit will always be on. Just keeps things cleaner and in better condition.
Just my $.02!!!!
 
Does anyone have roll up front windshield windows on a 340? I hate taking down my front glass and would like to be able to roll it up with the least visibility distraction. It would be nice it they made clear zippers and binding.
 
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