Removing canvas before storm

R

Roger Morris

New Member
Jul 23, 2013
18
Florida
Boat Info
Sundancer
Engines
Mercruiser
I just removed all the canvas from my 2001 290 Sundancer in anticipation of Irma. With all the rain that will now enter the normally-protected cockpit, should I anticipated damage to gauges, the VHF radio, etc.? I do not have any electronics, just the normal Sea Ray gauges & radio. (I realize the bigger concern is will the boat survive at all). Thank you.
 
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I don't think there is one answer to that one.

Every storm is different and boat owners must consider all the variables like stom intensity, which side of the storm you are on, the amount of rain in the storm, where your boat is stored, did you run to a hurricane hole or have the boat hauled out, the condition of your canvas and isinglass and the investment you have in panel mounted electronics.

If your canvas is old and has never been restitched, you are probably going to lose it if you leave it up in a Cat 1 or 2 storm. If your cancas is good, then you may choose to leave it up and protect your electronics suite.

Every situation is different.
 
I hope I never have to be in the predicament some are getting ready for this storm.

I probably would have chosen to leave the canvas up. Any water protection that's still in place during the storm is better then none.

You will probably get 50:50 comments in this post.

One thing my 2011 260 DA came with was a canvas cover for the instruments. It snapped in place and looked pretty good when the boat wasn't being used and did a good job shedding any water that would come in.

Good luck and I wish you, family and your boat well.
 
You could try and make a cover for the helm. Maybe using that heavy blue plastic tarp material and s s**tload of duct tape. If you made the cover tight the wind may not have anything to get a hold. Maybe cover the cabin entrance as well. You'll have tape residue to clean up but might not be such a bad trade-off.

Seriously....best of luck to you. As a Gulf Coast neighbor her in New Orleans we wish you luck and we are thinking positive thoughts for you and your family. Remember, the boat's replaceable.

Shawn
 
Little Ducky said:
I hope I never have to be in the predicament some are getting ready for this storm.

I probably would have chosen to leave the canvas up. Any water protection that's still in place during the storm is better then none.

You will probably get 50:50 comments in this post.

One thing my 2011 260 DA came with was a canvas cover for the instruments. It snapped in place and looked pretty good when the boat wasn't being used and did a good job shedding any water that would come in.

Good luck and I wish you, family and your boat well.
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Thank you. I appreciate your thoughts and well-wishes.
 
NorCal Boater said:
You could try and make a cover for the helm. Maybe using that heavy blue plastic tarp material and s s**tload of duct tape. If you made the cover tight the wind may not have anything to get a hold. Maybe cover the cabin entrance as well. You'll have tape residue to clean up but might not be such a bad trade-off.

Seriously....best of luck to you. As a Gulf Coast neighbor her in New Orleans we wish you luck and we are thinking positive thoughts for you and your family. Remember, the boat's replaceable.

Shawn
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Great advice and thank you for the well-wishes. I hope the storm doesn't affect you as well.
 
just make sure the tape and tarp is rated for 160 mph
This storm is picking up 40 foot containers like cotton balls and doing the same for auto , trucks and anything else on wheels and you think a boat is going to be there after this blow?
 
The gauges and VHF should be waterproof. I don't think you have anything to worry about there. As in the previous post it would be worth it to tape the cockpit door with painters tape or similar to keep the wind driven rain out of the cabin. You should also put any loose items like seat bottoms in the cabin. Good Luck down there.
 
I have the same same boat and it didn't have canvas at all for 6 years until I bought it and it was out in the weather unprotected. Previous owner cleaned it almost every day but didnt like canvas for whatever reason. The gauges will be fine, I wouldn't worry about your door being ripped open. I would remove your rear seat, rear facing seat and anything inside, under that seat. Obviously haul it if possible.
Good luck and take care of yourself and family first.
 
When they shipped my boat, they made sure to take off all canvas, stow all loose items (seats) and taped up all speaker grills, gauges and doors. Use the white tape they use when winterizing boats. Boats are meant to get wet. Insurance (at least mine) doesn't cover canvas in named storms. Look at your policy. If canvas is covered...may consider keeping it up. The poles (if you have any) will likely be bent to hell and may pull chunks of fiberglass out of where they are mounted.
 
In my marina it seems SOP to leave the canvas in place. First hurricane with the 330 so I'm watching and duplicating what the others are doing and they've mostly left the canvas in place.

I'm facing West but backed up on all other sides by high rises and a bridge. Maybe i'ts like a hurricane hole, we'll see.
 
AFD said:
I have the same same boat and it didn't have canvas at all for 6 years until I bought it and it was out in the weather unprotected. Previous owner cleaned it almost every day but didnt like canvas for whatever reason. The gauges will be fine, I wouldn't worry about your door being ripped open. I would remove your rear seat, rear facing seat and anything inside, under that seat. Obviously haul it if possible.
Good luck and take care of yourself and family first.
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Thank you. Very helpful information. Now that the storm looks like it's going to hit us pretty much directly, I'm sure the boat will survive at all. I'm hoping for a miracle. Thanks again.
 
Your more likely to suffer damage from flying debris if you remove the canvas and properly secure your boat.
I removed all the canvas from my old 300, and put away everything that might fly out of the cockpit, in preparation for Sandy back in 2012. It rode out the storm in the water tied 8-10 feet from the nearest bulkhead or pole.
The only damage I sustained was a cracked plastic bilge vent which probably got hit by a piece of flying debris from someone else's cockpit or backyard.
Replaced the vent with a brand new one and the boat was good to go. No damage to any gauges, wiring, electronics, or anything else.
All the boats on my canal that stayed in and were properly prepped survived the storm
The boats that came out and got blocked up weren't so lucky.
 
Roger Morris said:
I just removed all the canvas from my 2001 290 Sundancer in anticipation of Irma. With all the rain that will now enter the normally-protected cockpit, should I anticipated damage to gauges, the VHF radio, etc.? I do not have any electronics, just the normal Sea Ray gauges & radio. (I realize the bigger concern is will the boat survive at all). Thank you.
Click to expand...

Hi I saw that you are using fisher and sons poly cover. Has it worked out and are you happy with it? Thanks Matt
 
Roger Morris said:
I just removed all the canvas from my 2001 290 Sundancer in anticipation of Irma. With all the rain that will now enter the normally-protected cockpit, should I anticipated damage to gauges, the VHF radio, etc.? I do not have any electronics, just the normal Sea Ray gauges & radio. (I realize the bigger concern is will the boat survive at all). Thank you.
Click to expand...
 
I take my biminis & frames down to put in the cabin, or roll them up and zip in their boots. Then use the cockpit cover. If its going to be REALLY nasty, I tie a web of lines across the top of the cockpit cover to keep it from having a chance of lifting up/off too easily, and to try to catch it should it come loose.
 
No damage and I left my mooring cover on but had it strapped down in 3 places. Punta Gorda.

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