Canvas on or off for storm

[capecodcruiser]

Hello all,
Getting a little nervous with Hannah coming up the coast. They are predicting 60MPH winds for a short time early sunday morning for about 3-5 hrs. wondering what everyone thinks about canvas, leave or take off?? Someone mentioned anything up to 35MPH leave it. Please let me know what you think. Thanks

 

[lorenbennett]

My canvas says to not exceed 45mph as to storms well it just adds a bigger service for the wind to act on and also for debris to hit, just my 02.:huh:

 

[Pseudomind]

I am curious also and the reasoning to either remove it or leave it on. I would guess it will rip apart if left on, but if left on it may keep some water at bay for awhile.

Same logic goes for removing items radar for one, in some cases one will have holes left for water to drain down into, but if not removed, you may lose the radar or whatever else.

 

[gerryb]

My advice: Remove the canvas if winds are going to be over 35MPH. The canvas will absorb a significant amount of stress when exposed to heavy winds. This could rip your canvas or put stress on the screws holding down the canvas rods to the arch if you have an arch. Lastly, as 'stuff' is blowing around, it may land on the canvas and cause damage. In a TS or H, the canvas will give so little protection from rain that it won't matter at all. Isinglass around the sides falls in the same category.
I'm taking mine off if winds are over 35 but I have a cockpit cover as well. The CC is less prone to wind damage as it it is snugged down all the way around, but certainly can get damaged from flying debris.

 

[AndersonAcres]

For a thunderstorm coming up quickly and leaving quickly, there's not much option but to leave it up.

My experience with the prolonged winds of a hurricane, coupled with the fact that there's enough warning with an advancing hurricane to get the canvas off, would make me want to take all the canvas off.

I'm specifically talking about the bimini and camper canvas. If you're talking about the cockpit canvas, and have good gussets/snaps, I'd be more inclined to leave that on to protect the boat. 60 MPH for 3-5 hours may be all right for cockpit canvas.

 

[MC1600]

My advice: Remove the canvas if winds are going to be over 35MPH. The canvas will absorb a significant amount of stress when exposed to heavy winds. This could rip your canvas or put stress on the screws holding down the canvas rods to the arch if you have an arch. Lastly, as 'stuff' is blowing around, it may land on the canvas and cause damage. In a TS or H, the canvas will give so little protection from rain that it won't matter at all. Isinglass around the sides falls in the same category.
I'm taking mine off if winds are over 35 but I have a cockpit cover as well. The CC is less prone to wind damage as it it is snugged down all the way around, but certainly can get damaged from flying debris.

Gerry, I took all my Bimini canvas down (aft piece and 2 pieces around the radar arch), and have the boat about 5 miles inland right now. But I left my cockpit cover ON with my logic being I'd rather have the storm beat-up my cockpit cover than my vinyl. I also don't want water leaking through the companionway into the cabin.

You think I'm alright leaving the cockpit cover on??

 

[gerryb]

Eric and MC1600, yes, we're on the same page... talking about the bimini pieces. I definitely agree with the logic of protecting the vinyl - I could live with a 'patch' on the cockpit cover but not on my captains seat!

 

[MC1600]

Eric and MC1600, yes, we're on the same page... talking about the bimini pieces. I definitely agree with the logic of protecting the vinyl - I could live with a 'patch' on the cockpit cover but not on my captains seat!

My logic exactly! :lol: Thanks for the sanity check, Gerry. Hopefully once I survive one (or more?) of these, I'll be the one answering and asking the questions!

 

[Newbie]

if I were planning to leave a cockpit cover on I would run a strap from the midship cleat across the windshield to the midship cleat on the opposite side. Do the same at the transom. It keeps the wind from getting under the cover and lifting it. IIRC, I think I went from the midship cleat and under the first bow rail stanchion then accross the windshield. That keeps the strap low on the windshield and close to the front snaps. I towed my 260 over 3k miles like that last year with the cover on at 70+ mph with no probs. HTH. SB

 

[Pseudomind]

Thanks all!

I have learned much which also makes a lot of sense about what to do with the canvas. I really like the part about running the lines over the arc/cover. I have to admit I probably would not have thought about doing that.

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Sundancer]

I'd definitely use as much rope as possible over the top of the mooring cover to keep it down and to keep the wind from getting under it anywhere. Lash it to any cleats, rails or transom eyes that will help keep the cover from shredding itself. Keep it tight to the windshield up front too. It's amazing how one little piece can break loose, flap around and shred the cover. If that little piece has a snap or something attached, it can really hammer your fiberglass or the vinyl.

 

[Alex F]

I've used the following logic regarding the camper canvas when I was towing my 240DA. There were times when I was towing with camper left on. I have very good experiance in towing so this was not an issue. As for avoiding damages by the wind force, I figured that if the boat does 45MPH in the water with the canvas up, the manufacture will never push the limits and should expect another 10-15MPH on top of that. So, my rule was stey within 55MPH (occasionally 60mph) speed when towing. The camper was just fine after taking this for 1.5-2hrs drive.

Based on this, I think to take camper off for 35MPH wind, posted earlier is way out of line.

Just my .02c.
Alex.

 

[dpvandy01]

if I were planning to leave a cockpit cover on I would run a strap from the midship cleat across the windshield to the midship cleat on the opposite side. Do the same at the transom. It keeps the wind from getting under the cover and lifting it. IIRC, I think I went from the midship cleat and under the first bow rail stanchion then accross the windshield. That keeps the strap low on the windshield and close to the front snaps. I towed my 260 over 3k miles like that last year with the cover on at 70+ mph with no probs. HTH. SB

I did the same while towing my 250 and also ran them criss-crossing from the starboard mid-ship cleat to the port stern adn visa-versa. Good luck all!!

 

[tmhudson2]

if I were planning to leave a cockpit cover on I would run a strap from the midship cleat across the windshield to the midship cleat on the opposite side. Do the same at the transom. It keeps the wind from getting under the cover and lifting it. IIRC, I think I went from the midship cleat and under the first bow rail stanchion then accross the windshield. That keeps the strap low on the windshield and close to the front snaps. I towed my 260 over 3k miles like that last year with the cover on at 70+ mph with no probs.

The higher the windspeed, the greater the lift caused by wind blowing across the cockpit canvas (the Bernoulli principle). Also wind pressure increases with the square of the speed, so the pressure at 90mph is four times that at 45mph. If wind can get under the canvas, I doubt straps could hold it.

I like the belt-and-suspenders approach, and I'd likely duct-tape the cabin door and hatches, put duct tape and reinforced visqueen over the instrument panel and upholstery, and put duct tape around the perimeter of the cockpit cover before I strap it down. And take photos of your protective efforts to show to your insurance adjuster after the storm.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Our canvas has stayed on for all hurricanes/bad weather with no damage to date. IMHO, the water possible damage to electronics (gauges, wires, etc) is much worse that a torn piece of canvas.

 

[comsnark]

I've used the following logic regarding the camper canvas when I was towing my 240DA. There were times when I was towing with camper left on. I have very good experiance in towing so this was not an issue. As for avoiding damages by the wind force, I figured that if the boat does 45MPH in the water with the canvas up, the manufacture will never push the limits and should expect another 10-15MPH on top of that. So, my rule was stey within 55MPH (occasionally 60mph) speed when towing. The camper was just fine after taking this for 1.5-2hrs drive.

Based on this, I think to take camper off for 35MPH wind, posted earlier is way out of line.

That was my thought as I read this thread. If you can drive the boat at 40-45mph with no issue, I can't see how a 55mph wind will be an issue.

Just the same. . .I think common sense will say to take the canvas down. 55mph winds can turn into 75 mph winds pretty easily. . .and you won't necessarily know until they show up!

 

[AndersonAcres]

Usually, though, when towing the boat, the wind is from the bow. With a storm, the wind can come from anywhere. That's the main difference in my mind.

 

[Hampton]

Our canvas has stayed on for all hurricanes/bad weather with no damage to date. IMHO, the water possible damage to electronics (gauges, wires, etc) is much worse that a torn piece of canvas.

Good input. Comparing a storm to towing may not be valid. The canvas is designed for forward movement. Your winds could come from any/many direction(s). Also, once wet, the canvas stretches a little. That snug, secure fit may go away. That all being said, it is a highly variable scenario.

If the snaps have been recently waxed, they may let go easily. If not, it may take more than a hurricane to get them to let loose. Canvas ages over time. When new, it can seem almost bullet proof. After 3 - 5 years in the sun, it may rip with normal use (note the 'may', Gary). Eisenglass is different from Strataglass...

So, consider the range of answers, consider the age/type of your canvas, and consider your comfort range. Then, make a decision and run with it. My canvas guy has offerred me a spot way up in a canal near his house. He recommends leaving it on - is he trying to sell more canvas or protect my boat? Who knows?

I think that if I'm going to get absolutely slammed, I'm going to take it down, put the cockpit cover on, strap it down, take some speakers down and cover others, and hope for the best.

 

[fwebster]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer to this one.

A lot depends upon the storm, how much wind is expected, where the boat is secured, how old your canvas is and what you are trying to protect. I'm in the same location as Hampton and have a complete custom canvas. My boat is always hauled for hurricanes and we've been out of the water for 5 recent storms. I never take my canvas down, and I've never had even a snap pull loose. Even so, I would much rather deal some canvas damage than to soak $35,000 worth of high end electronics.

If your canvas needs replacement anyway, a storm will cause that to happen if you leave it up. As an aside, most insurance companies will depreciate canvas based on what they find remaining when they survey your boat after a storm ..........so leaving canvas up isn't going to get you a free canvas job.

 

[tphinney]

Policy down here in the hurricane belt is to put the cockpit cover on and take down the bimini's; then using vinyl tape or Duct tape if thats all you have tape over the seam between the cover and the deck. it's better to loose thecockpit cover than have the boat fill up with water and sink or get so heavy that it damages the lift it's on.

even with most of the water draining over board, a lot still gets down into the bilge so you also want to tape over the bilge vents if you have an older boat like my '04 240DA. just remember to take the tape off right after the storm passes to make cleanup easy and not cause other problems.

as for prep; since mine is on a lift. I always strap it to the lift to keep it from blowing off and then tie long rope fore and aft to stationary objects like palm trees to keep it from swinging. as the storm approaches I rise the lift as needed via remote controll from the safty of my house (until power goes out).

Big deal is if it's in the water keep it plugged in with the batteries charged. normally during a storm the batteries get completely drained by the bilge pump.

so far we have made it through glancing blows from "Charley", "francis", "jeanne", "TS Barry" without any damage.

enjoy the fun....