Boat Cover for Heated Indoor Storage

[ja308601]

Sadly, we're much closer to the end of the Great Lakes boating season than the beginning and I am starting to think once again about storage best practices. We store our boat in heated indoor storage at our marina which is very convenient. In the past, I have just used a cockpit cover on the boat while she is hibernating. Do others do this? Is there a better way to cover the boat?

We are permitted to access the building and do limited work while in storage.

 

[Captn TJ]

We do the same on our 280 -heated indoor storage and cockpit cover. I was toying with the idea of polishing the arch and top deck while in the water then covering the whole boat with very thin plastic sheeting. Then over the winter all I have to do is the hull/transom.

 

[ja308601]

What type of plastic would you use?

 

[Golfman25]

I think a lot would depend on your storage facility. In an old wooden roofed structure, a cheap plastic tarp would help keep it clean. New metal buildings, probably don't need anything, unless someone is racked above you.

 

[Boatingnut]

New buildings get dirty too! I stored at a brand new facility last year, got covered in dust, etc.

 

[Blueone]

Bird poop, leaks, condensation, neighbors buffing, dust and I have had bottom paint on the cover from a neighbor or a staggering guy with a roller.... all of this warrants a cover of some sort in a new or old building. I use a light 4ml clear sheet down the sides and covering front to back with overhang. I put the boat away clean and buff and wax in the spring you don't want to have to wash it before you start.
Not listening to my own advice last year I ended up giving the bow a sponge bath.... No guy should be giving anything a sponge bath

 

[firecadet613]

Bird poop, leaks, condensation, neighbors buffing, dust and I have had bottom paint on the cover from a neighbor or a staggering guy with a roller.... all of this warrants a cover of some sort in a new or old building. I use a light 4ml clear sheet down the sides and covering front to back with overhang. I put the boat away clean and buff and wax in the spring you don't want to have to wash it before you start.
Not listening to my own advice last year I ended up giving the bow a sponge bath.... No guy should be giving anything a sponge bath

View attachment 74739

Where do you source that? I store indoor cold with the cockpit cover on and she goes in clean but comes out very dusty. Amazed a few in the same building store with their canvas up....

 

[GypsmJim]

For 51 years I have followed what Grandpa told me. He was never wrong.

Never use a tarp or plastic. Always cover the boat, no matter where its at. Canvas is the game. (OK, in this era sunbrella is a good alternative)

I use a full mooring / travel cover year round. Even when the boat is stored in the garage in Summer. No dirt, dust, mildew or spiders. Same for the Winter.

In the Spring we pull her out and do a quick spray with a hose to wash off the winter dust. An hour in the sun and the cover is brand new.

Before covering in the fall, the seats get armoralled, the hull waxed and the decks cleaned. In the Spring the boat looks like new.

 

[Blueone]

That sheet in the pic was 100' long X 30'. I cut it in half so 50'x30' so I would have a piece to use again... It got very dirty over the winter ..so thru it out. Then I used some for another project and when I went to use the remaining I was 20' short... Hence the sponge bath.
The original I got up next door to the marina who stocked it in a local builders supply... Algonac MI. I am not up there anymore and I started a couple weeks ago trying to find something wide enough and not having much luck. There is another thread trying to source some as well. Maybe check that out...sorry

 

[Blueone]

For 51 years I have followed what Grandpa told me. He was never wrong.

Never use a tarp or plastic. Always cover the boat, no matter where its at. Canvas is the game. (OK, in this era sunbrella is a good alternative)

I use a full mooring / travel cover year round. Even when the boat is stored in the garage in Summer. No dirt, dust, mildew or spiders. Same for the Winter..

Your grandpa is going to put the shrink wrapping industry out of business if word gets out.. . In heated storage the 4ml is more like a dust cover... It's open all around so lots of air flow. I have never seen anyone suffer any ill effect from doing it ... But you never know I guess

 

[Blueone]

Here is a source

http://www.airgas.com/product/Safet...ety Products-Abatement Poly Items|70-200|C:65

 

[ja308601]

That sheet in the pic was 100' long X 30'. I cut it in half so 50'x30' so I would have a piece to use again... It got very dirty over the winter ..so thru it out. Then I used some for another project and when I went to use the remaining I was 20' short... Hence the sponge bath.
The original I got up next door to the marina who stocked it in a local builders supply... Algonac MI. I am not up there anymore and I started a couple weeks ago trying to find something wide enough and not having much luck. There is another thread trying to source some as well. Maybe check that out...sorry

Do you weigh down the plastic with anything on the edges to keep it from flapping?

 

[Blueone]

Do you weigh down the plastic with anything on the edges to keep it from flapping?

It’s indoors so no flapping per say. I do tuck it, tie or tape it to the jack stands. Otherwise it hangs straight down from the rub rail. The boats are so tight it just gives a bit of room for someone walking by. Same at the bow, I tie it to the tow hook

 

[The Bill Collector]

I'm in a boathouse and have used 2 surplus parachutes to cover the boat in the winter.

 

[sbw1]

We have stored at a large heated marina building in Grand Haven. It is heated to 50 degrees and has a modern building and heating system. There is not been a need to cover boats to keep them clean. The staff does tent boats when running buffers to prevent dust from spreading. No customer work of that nature is permitted. So, if you store in a clean building with a good heating system there is need to cover your boat.