Winterizing my boat

[kkdeadrick]

I have a 2000 310 Sundancer. Can I use the cockpit cover during the winter or should I put the full dress on? The boat is in an uncovered dock.

Thanks,
Kirk

 

[JimG]

You're leaving it in the water? I'd say just the cockpit cover... maybe supplement with a tarp with bungee cords in place to keep from weathering the cover.

What's the "full dress"? If you're talking about full rain canvas... nope, I wouldn't want to wear it out like that.

 

[mwph]

Kirk, I don't know what you are calling "full dress", but If you plan to leave your boat all winter in an uncovered dock, whatever you do cover it with will likely be ruined or at least damaged come spring time. Rain, wind & sun are not friends with gel coat, canvas & plastic.

Speaking of sun, I see you are in Georgia. I'm going to suggest you find a way to keep the boat covered during the summer months as well.

 

[Southpaw II]

To me it depends on if you plant to use the boat during the winter. I do, and that's when I use the cover with isenglass and all the canvas. I think the extra dead air space provides an extra bit of insulation for the cabin and engine room, and if I want to sit out in the cockpit with the cover on, I get some heat from inside the boat. My boat is under a covered slip, and that makes a huge difference in the lifespan of canvas. during warmer months, I only use the cockpit cover.

Don

 

[mwph]

To me it depends on if you plant to use the boat during the winter. I do, and that's when I use the cover with isenglass and all the canvas. I think the extra dead air space provides an extra bit of insulation for the cabin and engine room, and if I want to sit out in the cockpit with the cover on, I get some heat from inside the boat. My boat is under a covered slip, and that makes a huge difference in the lifespan of canvas. during warmer months, I only use the cockpit cover.

Don

Same here. Covered slip & we use the boat year round.

I hope the OP chimes back in with what he means by full dress. I am also interested in if he plans to keep the boat uncovered all summer year after year.

 

[kkdeadrick]

Full cover to me was the cover with ienglass and all of the canvas. I bought a house at Lake Lanier and the dock is too small to cover my boat. It took DNR 7 months to just transfer my dock permit. At the same time they stopped new permits and upgrades to docks. Unfortunately, the boat sits out, uncovered.

 

[mwph]

If it were me, I would not leave my full camper canvas out in the elements. Winter or summer. I would store the camper package inside & look into having some type of a custom cover made. But thats just me. I've seen many boats damaged by the elements. Especially the sun.

 

[kkdeadrick]

Thanks for the input and I agree. Waiting on dock permit!!

 

[mwph]

I guess I would cover it, at least temporaraly, any way I could. Especially if you are not going to be using it. Without knowing what the existing dock set up is its hard to say how.

At the rate (7 months) they move, I doubt they are in a hurry to grant any permits. Just out of curiosity; I wonder what the penalty is for making "minor improvements" without a permit? Sometimes forgiveness is easier to obtain than permission. Assuming you are found out by anyone that cares to persue the matter. What have others done in the area?

 

[my DOG HOUSE]

Thanks for the input and I agree. Waiting on dock permit!!

A wise man once told me "it's easier to get forgiveness than it is to get permission."

And...................."How much justice can you afford?"

 

[yako]

I am not a lawyer, but I do know that in my city, construction without a permit is a first degree misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both, for each offense.

Just my $0.02