In projects Ron Hill (6/11/05) has pictures of his summer and winter covers. He indicated that this was covered someplace in the projects section. However, I can't find it. I am researching winter covers. Can anybody point me in the right direction. The thought of paying 3 or 4 thousand bucks for a winter cover sends a chill up my spine.
Mark Mueller
#815
Mark, I used the Knowledgebase (here: http://www.c34.org/tech-notes-index/technotes-excel.xls)
and searched for "winter cover" which found this: http://www.c34.org/projects/projects-boat-covers.html
Let us know if this is what you were looking for, or something else. As far as I can see, that's what's there and perhpas Ron never did get around to the "followup" article. :D
I Mark... here's a few pictures of my cover. I've bought it at the same time as my boat so it's 4yrs old. It's quite easy to install and does protect the boat entirely...down below the water line.
I've paid around 2500$ (2005) and it's still in perfect shape. It's in 2 pieces so to install it, after the webbing is done, you put the front half again the mast (if you leave it up) and unroll it to the bow. Repeat with the 2nd half..again from the mast to the stern. There's an access door..mine in the rear 'cause of my open transom, or you can order it somewhere else. It also has some breathing pockets (performance...so-so). If you keep your mast down, they don't provide all the zippered/Velcro opening for all you stays but i do recommend that you get them so if you ever decide to leave the mast up...well it still fits. Depending of how good of a job you might do with all the opening, you might see a few flakes/water on the deck but nothing to write home about it and as soon as the climate warms up, it's gone.
You mentioned that you don't want to spend 3/4 G's but no matter what route you take, you'll have to spend some. Remember that the entire cover is approx 38' long X 30' wide so shop around and you'll see that a piece of canvas of this size will cost you. Add to that some limber or others and the price will go up and after all might end up with a not so practical system. This system goes up in about 2hrs.
I've bought mine from Top shop...and they sell in the US and Canada. See the add in the mainsheet or www.topshop.on.ca
Hope this help and good luck
Serge
Hi again...wanted to add some interior pictures
Stu and Serge,
Thanks for the responses. Stu, the link you referred me to was what I also found. Serge, I appreciate the photos. It appears that you have found a good cover and I will check with your source.
Mark Mueller
#815
I also swear by the TopShop cover. Stands the test of time (5 years so far with no signs of wear), fits properly, and keeps the topsides covered as well. I install it alone most of the time and once you do the logistics it is really quite easy. You can do it cheaper, not sure you can do much better and save a lot of $$$ unless you are really motivated and talanted. The two piece cover that zips together, and the zipper at the stern to give entry, are great.
I live at the 45th Parallel in Michigan, so winters are a little tougher than in Ohio. If we get a really heavy wet snow I push it off the cover. Normal snow, 6-8" of fluff, just blows off.
I've recently started checking out covers, as my customized silver tarp, which gave me 6 seasons, needs to be replaced this winter. Got sticker shock from the canvas solutions; one of which is Top Shop. Their quote, with the needed extras came in about $3400, I think (I haven't got it with me). Fairclough was about the same.
I was expecting in the $2000 - $2500 range, so over $3000 was a surprise. I'm thinking I may go back to customizing another silver tarp!
Ed
Bluemoon,
Did you check out Griener covers. It is a full cover to the waterline. They are out of a sail loft in Toledo. They also have a put on, take off and store program. Many of us Herl's use them . I think it I paid around $2500 including frame. Cover is 5 years old and still in great shape. When I did the math vs shrink film the payback was around 6 yeasrs and i believe the breathable canvass is the way to go. You do want to cover it to keep the Ice and snow off those decks and keep the sun off the topsides. When I am at the boat next I will get the number.
Rick from Interlude
Ed, My Top shop cover was CDN $2,500, taxes included, in 2006. This is for the synthetic material, which is substantially lighter and easier to handle than canvas. This included the frames. This was FOB Kingston, Ontario.
I have attached a couple of photos "under the cover" as well as one showing our boat yard in March, 2008. The two boats seen on the left are also using top shop covers.
Tony
I went last winter with a temporary cover and ended up with a big mess of ice... Come spring I contacted TopShop and got a good price (paid half in late spring) and the cover will be here next week (weeks before I need it). I also went for the newer polyester style.
-PC
I have also been very pleased with my top shop cover (4 years and no problems).....not sure if this a trend but several yards in CT where I keep my boat for the winter are now requiring custom fitted tarps with frames....no more blue tarps etc. Not sure how far they are carrying the custom... FYI
Chris
2yrs ago I made a two piece, to H20 line, winter cover of Odessey III (Ron's suggestion) and a PVC frame all for $400. Looks very similar to Momentum's. Took and couple of months of evenings to sew and one day for the frame construction.
The frames that you see in my pictures and Momemtum M's are made of aluminum, with galvanized steel connectors and rubber feet.
After years of using this kind of frame on an earlier boat I found that some of the strong winter storms could really push the frame around, and push the individual legs sideways, causing sags in parts of the cover that can cause snow and ice to accumulate with potentially damaging results. (You really don't want a few hundred pounds of snow and ice hanging on a tarp between a life-line and the ridge pole!).
After watching others, and consulting with Top Shop, I now do the following:
1) Brace all of the feet of the frames along the decking by strapping them to 2x1 wood framing: this keeps them in place relative to one another. (I had to invent a replacement for the slotted rail that my previous boat had, which made this easier!)
2) Use pvc piping and u-bolts to brace all of the "shoulders" of the frames together along each side. This makes the frames a much stronger single unit.
3) Drape cotton sheeting along each side of the boat to protect the gelcoat from any rubbing caused by the canvas. If you look carefully at my pictures you will see all of these measures deployed.
I admire Mike for building an entire frame like that from PVC. I think that I would have a hard time designing something in pvc that would be as simple, strong and easy to assemble and take apart as the top shop system!
Tony
got mine at the convas shop in Hungington NY. About 1400 4 or 5 years ago. come just over the rub rail and has No frame. Its in 3 pieces and not too difficult to install altho a lot easier with two people. Its in good condition and they have fixed small items for free
Does anyone have any experience with Fairclough boom tent covers?
They gave me a quote of about $1850.
Their site is www.fairclough.com
Thought I would revive this thread.
I have read that snow needs to be removed from covers made by Top Shop. Others say that it blows off. If I go with a cover by them will I need to plan on driving to the boat after every winter storm? What do others with this cover do? Like Tommy I also live at the 45th parallel.
I currently have the boat shrink wrapped and the snow slides off. I don't go to the marina for one-two months during the dead of winter.
Hi Dave...I'm sorry to report that YES snow does accumulate on TOP Shop cover. Mainly aft of the mast as the boat gets wider from that point..to the stern. Even with a tight tarp...the snow will accumulate and for a good crust of ice (lump). It does accumulate at the bent...that is in the round part as it turn to go down. This year I'm experimenting with clamps and old boards (I've attached the feet to the candles) to keep them from sliding under snow load. In the past I used some fine rope but they always manage to slip. I'll see how it goes this winter and if this is not enough then I'll use some boards to help support the canvas ....just before the bend (that is approx. 1 foot from the bend, on the top side..not on the vertical 'cause snow accumulate only on the top section.
Luckily for me...we're 2 friends with the same system so I cover the first half of the winter(going to the boats when needed)...he does the 2nd half.
And let me tell you that this snow gets very very heavy and, once under the tarp, I have to use my back to lift each piece (that is between each rib)..a few time in a row so that the lump first detach from the canvas and then to make it slide off.
I guess that there is no perfect system so I'm still please with it. As I read before, sailboats are fun but they need to be taken care of 12 mo /yr.
It really depends on where you are positioned in the yard, and the type of snow. If the yard and boat is protected from the wind, you will have snow accumulation. If it is in the wind, I only have accumulation when it is a wet snow which sticks. Then I use my back if it is over 6 inches.
Last year we had about 140" of snow, and I pushed off the snow only about 4 times.
Thanks Guys. There is no perfect system. Shrink wrap is getting expensive. Like Serge, I also have friends with boats. We can probally work something out. We are considering a group driving to the factory to pick the covers up. Right now this is planning for next year.
I made a wood frame with a tarp for under $200. I am on my second year. Snow does not build up on the tarp. The boat is stored in Maine, we had a fair amount of snow last winter. The mast is unstepped. It all can be reused. The tarp should last 3 years. I can install it myself in a 1/2 day. The tarp allows good airflow. I will take pictures this weekend and post them.
Another alternative to a homemade wood or PVC frame is to use 3/4 inch electric conduit. I rented a conduit
bender and fashioned a total of 9 ribs that run the length of the boat. I'm on my 3rd season now and have had good luck with it,
but our snows here don't match you up north.
In my experience, snow only builds up on a Top Shop cover if the legs of the frame are not adequately prevented from shifting apart. The wind combined with snow pressure can push adjacent legs of the frame apart, and then the cover will sag in that area. This will result in snow accumulation, with the cover resting on top of the lifelines.
Take a look at my earlier post, and you will see that I run plastic conduit piping along either side, clamped onto each leg with a U-clamp (suggestion from the owner of Top-Shop). To hold the feet of each leg from sliding apart, I use 1x2 strapping and cable ties at deck level. This results in a rigid frame, with little opportunity for the cover to sag.
Where the cover is a little flat, I have used 1/2 inch conduit bent over and tied on with strapping to add some additional support and curvature to the cover. As a result I do not get snow accumulation on the cover. I visit the boat maybe once a month to ensure that the tie-downs are not chafing through or becoming untied. Maybe in the back corner I might find a square foot or so of snow. But nothing really worth mentioning. And we got a LOT of snow last year.
Tony
Tony,
Thanks for the reply! I would not have noticed the wood strapping or the pvc conduit as it look like it belongs. I am taking all of this into consideration. With current prices it would pay for itself in about 4-5 years.
Thought I would restart this thread as a contest. Pretty certain that the Canadians can top this, but I cleared my Top Shop cover today for the second time this year. As of Dec. 12 we have had 63 inches of snow to date with very little thaw. This global warming has to STOP!
For those of you sailing this week, congratulations. June is coming, but not soon enough.
We have not gotten 63 inches yet but I did go skiing today. I currently have shrink wrap and the snow slides off. I am still mulling over the purchase of a cover. The choices are clearing snow from my boat cover or play in the snow. Don't get this wrong. I do go to the boat through out the winter to check on things like water in the bildge but I do not want to be forced to go to the boat when there is a powder day.
I know it is my choce.
Guys : I envy you with "power". Around the Chesapeake it usually starts out with a mix. The freezing rain with snow later is a killer on any cover, because it sticks!! Be happy with 63 inches of just snow!!
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum, C34 site and to a Catalina 34. We bought a 1987 C34 this past spring and sailed it last season. The many pictures of winter covers look great on the boats in this thread. I too pondered the cost and type of winter cover after seeing and getting quotes for a few choices. So, as an alternative I decided to build a frame using clamps from a company named Kover Klamps along with 3/4" electrical conduit from the local hardware store. It was easier than I anticipated putting this together and the strenght of the frame was an added benefit. Although I'm using standard tarps for coverage this year, I plan to purchase the laminate fabric and clips for next year. Has anyone used this covering material before? Here is the web site: http://www.koverklampframes.com/boat_cover_framing.html
I'm on my 6th winter season with my cover from The Canvas Shop in Huntington, NY. It's easy to install with 2 people, although I end up doing it myself with a bottle of Amoretta. (I wait till I'm done to ask the Amoretta for help). It's a "tent" cover made of 2 sections zipped together. When I hit Lotto, or retire, whatever comes first, I'll get the Fairclough to the waterline cover. Kindred Spirit deserves it. Dave
Paul
Good to see another C34 on Lake Champlain.
Right now we are having the weather that I think causes the most damage. It has been freezing and thawing. The repeated cycles give ice multiple chances to expand in any little crack, which then become bigger cracks.
Hi Dave,
Likewise, nice to know you are nearby in Mallets Bay. I sailed out of the inner bay for many seasons quite a few years ago. And, I've seen two other C34's on the lake this past summer. Perhaps we can compare notes on winter covers. The current owner of my former Pearson 32 had a custom cover and frame installed this fall. We are going to see his boat and the C34 this Saturday to see how all are fairing with the frozen rain, sleet and snow. Ugh........I envy the other forum members still saiiing this time of the year.
Thanks for saying hello.
Paul