Best top covers for outside storage in the winter

[Pirate Lady]

No indoor, the bundling is new to me. Last 2 years I was freaking out, couldn’t get any one to winterize as nights were getting cold, had planned ahead but still no replies. Be nice this year no worries.
Always did my own, no more. Too old to spend days hunkered over in bilge draining 34 degree water. All that stuff.

 

[Chris-380]

You must do what is comfortable for you. That said where is all the evidence of this happening? In our years on this board I do not recall a single example of a heated building failing and freezing the boats in it, certainly not often. Do any of you?

We hear of boaters needing tows often, the risks are not similar…

Tornado ripped through illinois last December , my buddy’s heated storage was ripped apart.
Temps got into the trans pretty quick afterward, luckily his unwinterized boat was totaled.
So yes, I have heard of heated buildings with unwinterized boats losing power

the first pick was after the storm
The second is about a week later when they removed the roof off his boat.

 

[Golfman25]

Tornado ripped through illinois last December , my buddy’s heated storage was ripped apart.
Temps got into the trans pretty quick afterward, luckily his unwinterized boat was totaled.
So yes, I have heard of heated buildings with unwinterized boats losing power

the first pick was after the storm
The second is about a week later when they removed the roof off his boat.

Nah. That building didn’t lose power. He lost the whole freaking building.

 

[Golfman25]

I think not winterizing a boat in northern climates is a risk not worth taking, when you can winterize for about $125 per engine. I didn't do it one winter and I was sweating bullets the entire winter. Yes, it's rare that a building would lose complete power for an extended period of time AND the temp would drop below freezing for an extend period, but everything works...until it doesn't. it's like those folks who are too cheap to buy tow insurance and get away with it for years...until they have to get towed, or want you to tow them in, but I digress.

It’s closer to $350 per engine for me for outdoor winterization. Indoor they only do fogging and it’s much less.

 

[HardHead]

Hello fellow boaters,

I bought an used 340 Sundancer this summer and I am now getting ready to take out of the water for the winter :-(
Shrink wrap is always an option, but I am wondering if anyone would recommend a heavy duty top cover that fits a 340 Sundancer.
Any insights are greatly appreciated.
Cheers,

Eduardo.

If you're going to keep the boat over 6 years, it's definitely worth it to purchase or make a custom cover. Fischer makes a very good product. I made my own 8 years ago, and I plan on using it for another 8 years.

 

[MonacoMike]

Tornado ripped through illinois last December , my buddy’s heated storage was ripped apart.
Temps got into the trans pretty quick afterward, luckily his unwinterized boat was totaled.
So yes, I have heard of heated buildings with unwinterized boats losing power

the first pick was after the storm
The second is about a week later when they removed the roof off his boat.

Not much you can do when the building is gone as @Golfman25 said. I know dozens of boaters the store indoor/heated and know no one that winterizes.

Because there is such a big time lag between losing power and boats being majorly damaged there are many mitigation options. Heck I would most likely know about it by the next morning and might even be involved in mitigation if needed.

Have you heard of boats frozen and damaged or destroyed by power failure alone? I would think it would be a big discussion here as we all know how little there is to discuss in the winter.

 

[MonacoMike]

It’s closer to $350 per engine for me for outdoor winterization. Indoor they only do fogging and it’s much less.

What is not accounted for in this discussion is the fact that the two engines are not all that needs winterization. They may be the most expensive but not all. My boat has 13 systems to winterize, engines of course, generator, fresh water, 2 vacuflush, lake water wash down, ice maker, to name some.

 

[Chris-380]

Texas last year had a few… lol

it’s not worth the risk in my opinion compared to a little antifreeze

Not much you can do when the building is gone as @Golfman25 said. I know dozens of boaters the store indoor/heated and know no one that winterizes.

Because there is such a big time lag between losing power and boats being majorly damaged there are many mitigation options. Heck I would most likely know about it by the next morning and might even be involved in mitigation if needed.

Have you heard of boats frozen and damaged or destroyed by power failure alone? I would think it would be a big discussion here as we all know how little there is to discuss in the winter.

 

[MonacoMike]

Texas last year had a few… lol

it’s not worth the risk in my opinion compared to a little antifreeze

I just do not see a risk. Texas? Do they even have indoor heated facilities similar to what we have in Michigan? I would be surprised if they do. I do see that with you 100 miles north of me you could have a bit more risk.

I always supervised my 270 winterization but with this boat and so many systems I love the convenience of heated indoor storage and the risk does not seem that great. I still have not heard of a northern facility, prepared for winter, freezing boats…

 

[Woody]

I don't winterize my current boat at all. I actually fill the water tank sometimes so I can use the head in the winter. I'm lucky that I'm allowed to stay on the boat while in storage.

The idea of not winterizing made me nervous at first. The storage owner assured me he had large generators available for backup if the power went out.

I winterized my previous boats and kept them at home. They were in cold building so no snow piling on or freeze/thaw cycles to worry about. I did wonder about the cold, all those boats saw sometimes a week straight of 20-30 below zero. I'd wonder how much the jellcoat and plastics could take but never found any ill effects.

 

[MonacoMike]

I don't winterize my current boat at all. I actually fill the water tank sometimes so I can use the head in the winter.

This is awesome, glad I can do it too. Seems funny to post here that the Admiral will ask if I put water in the tank for winter.

 

[Golfman25]

I just do not see a risk. Texas? Do they even have indoor heated facilities similar to what we have in Michigan? I would be surprised if they do. I do see that with you 100 miles north of me you could have a bit more risk.

I always supervised my 270 winterization but with this boat and so many systems I love the convenience of heated indoor storage and the risk does not seem that great. I still have not heard of a northern facility, prepared for winter, freezing boats…

In my boating lifetime we’ve had two fires but no freezes.

 

[Carver370]

Pretty happy with this setup.

 

[MonacoMike]

Pretty happy with this setup.
View attachment 133397

Very nice.

 

[Cheap Guy]

Has anyone tried Budge Covers or National Covers?

 

[OllieC]

If you're going to keep the boat over 6 years, it's definitely worth it to purchase or make a custom cover. Fischer makes a very good product. I made my own 8 years ago, and I plan on using it for another 8 years.

I noticed they mention that the Fischer cover needs some sunlight. My property is under a tree canopy. I guess the leaves will be gone end of fall tho.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Farmers Almanac says bad winter, they always say bad winter. The scientist can’t get a good prediction 3 days out and i should believe farmers based on woolly bears and cock-a-roaches.
My cockpit cover will suffice. As it always does.

 

[OllieC]

Got a quote today from Fischer which seems reasonable if the canvas lasts. N. WI has some long Winters. I was quoted a cover for the 215WE which I have, however it is now closer to a 225WE with the added swim platform. I guess I’ll need to call them, but I would guess close enough would be good if I got the 225WE size of cover. Thoughts?

 

[Woody]

you talking about something like this?

I think I'd purchase a carport, it'll keep the snow, rain, sun off the boat until you can build a real mancave

 

[OllieC]

you talking about something like this?
View attachment 133715
I think I'd purchase a carport, it'll keep the snow, rain, sun off the boat until you can build a real mancave

Yeah...


A carport is what I would like to do however my Irish/German pistol of a wife doesn't want to look at it (even though it would be somewhat hidden). I'm going to have to wait until we get to our new location in a couple of weeks to see what's viable. Unfortunately it may be too late for renting an indoor space in the area, and I'm not crazy about shrink wrap.