Poll: How do you protect your C-Dory?

DanRichman

Now that winter is here, inquiring minds (especially those of somewhat obsessive first-time boat owners) wonder how best to safeguard our precious craft. Perhaps this could be turned into a poll.

Possible choices:

-Do nothing. It's a boat, made for the weather!

-Use a good polish on the topsides, then do nothing more.

-Aft cockpit cover only. If this is your choice, do you prefer canvas or plasticized (tarp) material? Does your cover drain into the cockpit? Does it extend aft over the motor well? Over the outboards themselves?

-Whole-boat cover? If this is your choice, do you prefer canvas or tarp? How do you deal with the radar arch, if you have one?

-Metal or fabric shelter rather than -- or in addition to -- one of the above? Is yours home-made or purchased? Off-the-shelf or custom-made?

-Any variants not mentioned above.

Please state your reasoning!

Dan Richman
Shoreline, WA

Captains Cat · Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:40 pm Post subject:

This is how I do it now. Wish it had been done that way since it was new but it wasn't mine until 2003!!

Have used covers (whole boat), off the shelf tarp type. Also have a custom cockpit cover that I use on occasion. Hands down though, the garage is the best protection. Only cost about $150K too! Shocked

Charlie

Da Nag · Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:17 pm Post subject:

Great idea, Dan - I turned it into a poll, and added a question...

Jon - CLou · Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:45 pm Post subject:

I keep C-Lou and Pee Wee (when I babysit her) in the shop. I think more for security reasons than weather issues.

Da Nag · Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 2:54 pm Post subject:

Nuttin' but a garage for me, from now on...

My CD19 started with with an occasional rinse, and an annual wax. After watching her deteriorate rapidly over the first year in the CA sun, I had a 2-piece whole boat cover made. Made a big difference not only in maintenance effort, but the deterioration of finish slowed considerably. Did the same thing initially for my 22.

However, over the last year, the garage has been her home. What a huge difference...storing a boat indoors keeps it looking like new, with minimal effort.

A well-built and sealed garage also prevents a problem with boat covers we've not seen mentioned very often here...critters. When a boat is stored outside and covered, you're providing shelter for curious creatures. On my 19, I pulled the cover one spring to find squirrels had taken up residence on the bow...nut shells, nesting, "squirrel waste"...it was pretty gross. To this day, I don't know why they chose the bow and gunnels instead of the cabin and v-berth. It could have been far worse.

DaveS

oldgrowth · Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 3:53 pm Post subject:

C-Voyager is in my storage shed with my tractors and haying equipment. I keep the camper back on to try and keep cats and other small animals out of the boat when it is stored.

barefoot

None of the above. Boathouse and sling made for a bass boat, just big enough for a 16. For bird and lizard, uh, byproducts, an occasional touch with a low-power pressure washer.

Da Nag

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 7:59 pm Post subject:

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 8:22 pm Post subject:

Oh, and by the way (and on topic), the best storage is in a dry garage, of course, but coming in second is a covered marina berth, where usage convenience offsets the light wear in the berth. Biggest factor in protection is getting out of direct sunlight and rain/snow/etc.

The slips that I have enjoyed the most had very few insects, roosting birds, and dust in the air, plus all the convenience factors a marina can offer.

Joe.

oldgrowth · Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:23 pm Post subject: