Don't EVER use a tarp!!!

[JustStartin]

Guys, I'm sure most of you knew better than me.  With the cold Great Lakes winter coming, I covered by CP-19 with a tarp to protect it from the snow and ice.  This was the first winter as a boat owner let alone a CP owner.  A few weeks ago I went to check on the boat (in a boat yard some distance away) and about puked when I saw her for the first time!  I had about 600 lbs. in snow/ice weighing the tarp down in the cockpit.  The tarp was so tightly draped over the mast and lifelines that it pushed one of the starboard lifelines through the top decking and bent the stern rail into a "V".  Luckily my boaters insurance is going to cover most of the damage (minus the $500 deductible).  I also have damage to some of the deck mounts of the stern rail...one cracked under pressure and two others have pulled up from the fiberglass.

Nonetheless...I will NEVER use a tarp again.  Please don't make the same mistake as I did...it's very heartbreaking to see your baby like that!

[Bob23]

Just:
   Sorry to hear about the damage to your baby. I learned a similiar lesson back when I owned  a Seapearl 21. Now I'm the proud owner of a 1985 23/2 and I've come up with an elaborate and very effective system of using the mast as a ridgepole with a series of pvc pipes installed hoop-like with a full canvas cover. Overkill? Maybe but she's dry and I have standing room in the cockpit so I can work on her all winter. Yes, there are lights throughout. I can send you pictures if I get your email address. I'll check the profile. I checked...no address. Mine is in my profile- drop me a line and I'll send the photos.
Bob23...waiting till launch day!

[Craig Weis]

Well dog gone it. Now you scared me to death. My friend refuses to park his boat out of the winter weather, but a 20 foot long tarp covers the whole boat from bow to stern and is tee-peed over the laid down mast, still in the tabernacle. He never pulls that pin either and is pulled tight down to the trailer on his CP-19, Wind Rover. Now I gotta go check in the morning. It's snowing 3 to 6 inch tonight. skip. My boat is covered up and indoors.

[JustStartin]

Well dog gone it. Now you scared me to death. My friend refuses to park his boat out of the winter weather, but a 20 foot long tarp covers the whole boat from bow to stern and is tee-peed over the laid down mast, still in the tabernacle. He never pulls that pin either and is pulled tight down to the trailer on his CP-19, Wind Rover. Now I gotta go check in the morning. It's snowing 3 to 6 inch tonight. skip. My boat is covered up and indoors.

Better go check Skip, the estimate on my boat damage is $3,400!  From now on I'll either leave her uncovered *shiver* or get her wrapped up professionally.

[breeze]

Hate to hear about all the damage. I grew up on lake Ontario and allways covered the boat with canvis. The center support must be high enough that the water and melting snow cannot collect. If the boat is not covered you will have water freezing and thowing in every crack and corner, every time if freezes the crack will open more. The other thing a cover dos is to keep leaves and other debres out of your scuppers, if they are clogged the cotpit can overflow with water.
David

[Potcake boy]

A nagging problem in the Northern climate - annual ritual but important. I found that one of those portable garage canopies worked very well. Keeps the rain and debris off and good ventilation to keep the boat dry.
Or - move to Florida

Ron

[Bob Condon]

I used 3/4" electrical Metal Tubing (EMT) and made a simple frame. There is a main spline down the back and
then 6 legs which form an angle about 45 degree angle to the life lines (outside) and then down to the deck. I use
3/4" rubber feet on the ends.

All you need is tubing, a hand bender (around $20) and some couplings, plus the spline brackets...

I purchased some brackets that allow me to connect up the side legs to the spline.

I use a silver tarp (Harbor Freight) which is 20 x 30 feet. Put it over the top of everything and sinch
her down snug so the wind can't blow her around. Because the angle is at 45 degree on the legs, snow accumulates
only to a point and then it shears off the tarp and falls to the ground.

I did the same with a 28' cape dory..

The tarps are now off but the frames are still up if anyone is interested in a couple of pictures.

The tarp only lasts 12 winters but at $50, it is cheap insurance.

Bob Condon

[don l]

15' x 25' White Poly Tarp, 3.1 oz. / 10 x 10 Weave, on our CP16.  Works great. Cost was about $30.00.  The mast rest in it's build frame, and I just drape the tarp over the mast.  With canvas cords though the eyelets, snug down, seems to work  fine.  Getting some snow here in Colorado tonight, looked out in the backyard and all is well.  I can get into the cockpit, though the back, to sit back there, or get in the cabin. 

cajun

[Bob Condon]

Be careful to to laterally bend your mast. They are not very strong laterally; Their
strengths lis longitudally. The frame is much stronger !

I think the frame cost me under $100 (which you only build once) and store it.

thx

Bob Condon

[Craig Weis]

A flexible mast and is springy!
The standing rigging and shrouds will pull the mast all over the place. skip.
Site up the mast from the fwd hatch laying on the vee birth.

[Bob Condon]

Skip,

Unsure of your replay if you are saying this is OK to do or not. The mast is not designed to be a structure member of
a cover system. [period]

If you load that mast with the sorts of snow loads that are common, you will permnently
bend the mast and the standing rigging will never pull it back in line, as there
will be a perminent crease. The mast will flex, and flex a little more and then either
the aluminum will crack for crease.

As the original post said, he had 600 pounds of snow load  on the tarp doing consierale damage.

An easy way to get to the heart of the issue is to call ComPac and ask them if this is
an appropriate use of the mast and would they advise it.  That will set the issue straight in
about 10 seconds.

I built my frame in 2 hours which is a pretty inexpensive use of time and money to
protect an investment that otherwise turned into a money eating hole in the water.

Bob

[don l]

laterally bend,  thanks for the advice.  The wife just made lunch, as I was eating as aways, I look out the widow at the boat.  Love eating and looking at the boat.  I never thought of it, thanks.  Our 16 is about 30 feet from our back door, helps a lot in the winter, and dreaming...

cajun