Winter storage

[colbysmith]

Just wondering how many folks store their C-Dorys, specifically the Cd22, outside during the winter in cold and snowy climates. This winter I paid for indoor unheated storage, but wondering how boats fair under snow. I do have a nice storage cover I had made last fall, primarily to keep the boat clean on the trailer during the summer. The cover has vents and comes down just below the paint trim along the gunnel. I think it is aqulon, but in any case a heavy duty but lightweight material. Lightweight as compared to topgun material... Colby. Ps. My boat under cover can be seen in its photo section.

 

[potter water]

Heated indoor storage is just terrific. But, I've never been able to afford the extra 1200 dollars (or more) a year. That is enough money to fund two weeks on Lake Powell. So, I keep STILL CRAZY in a covered storage lot. It is under a wide snow reinforced roof along with a couple hundred other boats and RV's. The lot is very well fenced and gated. I keep the trailering canvas in place. I check on it monthly and it is doing just fine. Yes, dust and small debris can get onto the boat, so spring is major clean up time....it is, even for those with the bucks to store inside.

I am highly against any boat of value like a C-dory being out in the snow. It is hard on the canvas and fit and finish and our snow loads will tear canvas. Leaving the boat open to save the canvas would mean up to two feet of snow sitting in the cockpit.

My boat shines up like new with very little effort because it has been kept out of the direct sun and weather except for those times that it is off on a trip.

I also remove all batteries and devices that have batteries in them from the boat between November and march of each year.

My storage only runs 60 bucks a month and is well worth that price for my C-dory.

 

[T.R. Bauer]

I will let you know the difference in a nutshell. My boat and the boat down the street are of the same vintage. Mine is stored inside my 27 X 42 foot heated garage next to the motorhome, and his sits outside in the rain, snow, and the 5 days of sunshine we get. Mine could be mistaken for a new one and his looks every year of 20 years old. If possible, store it inside.

 

[localboy]

It's not Wisconsin up here, but we get snow occasionally. I used to store it indoors but got tired of the $700 bill; that's some fuel for fun. I just cover it, plug in my shore power and put a small heater on inside. We have a fan running to push the dry warm air around and keep the battery charger "on".

 

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

Colby, I have a simple, cheap and effective way to keep my boat dry and to deflect the snow load. Don't have a picture right now but I will try to explain.

My boat is a 20' Stingray but it could be used for a C Dory - you might just need longer 4x4s and you would have to offset it to one side of the outboard.

I used a 15'x20' quality tarp, two 10' 4x4 posts, two metal 4x4 post brackets (the kind with the welded spike that you drive into the ground), two 6"x1/2" bolts, one ratchet strap and about 40' of 3/8" rope.

The first bracket I pounded into the ground so that the 4x4 was vertical at the stern(resting against the swim platform[padded]). The second bracket was pounded into the ground so that the 4x4 was sort of wedged into the V of the trailer frame(front).

Drill a 1/2" hole about an inch from the top of each 4x4 to be aligned fore and aft. The brackets must be aligned so that the 4x4s can only swivel fore and aft. Insert 4x4s into the brackets and drill a 1/2" hole thru them for the 6" bolt.

I used an old anchor line so the eye was positioned about midway between the top of the forward 4x4 and the trailer tongue. Feed the other end thru the hole in the top of the 4x4 and tie a large knot behind the 4x4. Continue back and feed it thru the hole in the 4x4 at the stern. Bring it down and tie it off temporarily to a stern eye. Then attach the ratchet strap from the eye of the rope to some point on the trailer frame. Start tightening it up and play with the tie off point. The knot in the rope behind the forward 4x4 prevents the 4x4s from being sucked together as tension is applied to the rope.

Once the rope is taught, the tarp can be thrown over it. When adjusted and tightened properly, the forward 4x4 should not touch the boat. On mine the tarp comes just below the rub rail. I use bungee cords to tie off the tarp front, back and down each side.

This creates a very steep A frame that sheds snow well. Because of the airspace between this A frame and the canvass boat cover - the boat and its cover stay nice and dry.

Might sound complicated but it really is quite simple. If anybody wants a picture I can try and post one.

I also use the moisture absorbing containers in the cuddy. In the cockpit I put an oscillating fan to circulate the air. This comes on for 3 hours every day with the battery maintainer.

So far 2 winters and no problems.

Regards, Rob

 

[colbysmith]

I've currently got Midnight Flyer in another town nearby, in a large unheated warehouse, with other boats and motorhomes. Can't check on it at will, but with a call a head of time, they will pull it out for me. (Not allowed in the building due their insurance...) It's not a bad price...I think I paid just under $400 for the winter season. But I would like to have access to it during those warmer days of winter when I could be doing some projects on it. Before I moved, I had a large "pole barn" like structure to keep it under. But don't have the room now, and if I kept the boat home, it would be parked on the side of the house. With my previous boat, before I built the "boat shed pole barn", it stayed out two winters just under a heavy custom made cover....same kind of cover I have for this one, and seemed to fair ok. My choice would be for indoor storage, heated or not. But that's hard to find around here for decent pricing, and easy access during the winter season. I have seen many boats sitting out in the snow and cold...not even with a decent cover.... but I think with a decent cover, as long as the snow is swept off after a storm, the boat is somewhat protected from the UV rays, and dust.... But I am curious to hear from folks that do leave their boats out, with good fabric covers, if they have any problems year over year of doing so? Colby

 

[thataway]

One modification of what Rob describes is to put some lines criss crossed under and over the tarp over the 2/4. This keeps the wind from whipping the tarps, and less strain on the grommets (which is one of the major weaknesses of using poly propylene tarps.

The C Dory 25 I restored had been stored outside in the snow in New Jersey--and the damage was both from water intrusion, and from expansion and contraction due to freeze and thaw of the water, especially if it got into the core.

My major concern with fabric covers would be with the camper back, and wondering if any heavy snow load would cause failure of the frame and canvas. I would avoid any snow load--and at least put a frame which would take the load without fail, and shed the snow.

 

[hardee]

Obviously the boat will be happier if stored inside, and even heated. The UV and moisture are both hard on the surfaces, either the glass or the cover. If possible, inside is better for the boat and no worries about snow load. I have had my boat both out and in, and with the in, it was nice to be able to access and manually check battery condition occasionally and recharge, (typically every other week for a few hours to over night). I have ketp a fan/dehumidifier on and running each winter and if it is severely, a second one and/or a no freeze setting heater also. That has been much easier than when it was outdoors under the storage cover.

I think they will do OK either way, but the life expectancy is greater if kept indoors.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon