Winter Storage Of Com-Pac's Outdoors

[skip1930]

The trouble with keeping any boat outside in freezing snowy weather is in the details. Those very tiny fissure-like cracks, I call them stress cracks in the fiberglass that develop as the boat settles and changes shape over the years. Shape can be stress induced as on an ill fitting cradle, triangle tube stanchions, or a maladjusted trailer with bunks pushing on the hull. All can contribute to twisting on the hull, not felt and influencing the the shape of the hull when floating.      

It is these tiny cracks that let water in and when that water freezes, and expands, ice works the crack open a bit more. So what's a sailor to do? Watching what happens to my buddies CP-19 when left outside uncovered and when tarp covered but still outside, one finds a myriad of problems.

Uncovered of course leads to the accumulation of plant and dirt and leaf litter, freezing and thawing in sun and dark.  Leading to a mess in the forth coming spring.

But when tarp covered the tie down lines beat against the boat leaving scars and scratches. But the worst damage to the boat by tarp covering is the weight of the snow piled high and this can apply a great deal of force that tends to pull the safety lines and it's stanchions over. This tends to pull the fastening hardware out of the deck. Or at times the trap parts and allows snow to 'see' the deck where melting and freezing takes place.  Again the above problem happens.

So I recommend that a frame structure be constructed to support a trap and to allow the boat and associated trailer or cradle to be parked under the trap without the tarp touching the boat. Additionally this allows for air to circulate under and around the tarp keeping the accumulation of condensation and hence condensed water from pooling on the boat. The boat stays cleaner and happier. And that should keep the sailor happier too.

I see that I should actually stay away from the keyboard when feeling chipper.

My Comfort & Joy, CP-19 resides uncovered in a cement floored, sheet metal building...unheated and well weather tight along with the 1930 Ford Model 'A' for 6 months. Both for $150 for the duration of the stay. One box of sented Bounce dryer sheets on or under everything that touches the floor keeps the mice at bay.

skip.

[Keith]

After spending significant time this summer tending to the effects of a poorly tarped CP19 (bent stanchions, leaf litter, etc), I decided to build a better cover.  Five 2x4s spaced about evenly are placed across the boat (two across cockpit, one bridged across the cabin, and two across the fo'csle).  Each board over hangs the edge of the boat by a few inches and each end has a 1 inch hole bored most of the way through for receiving a 3/4 inch PVC support.  So what I've constructed is an arched PVC pipe frame with ridge pole that supports my tarp, hopefully with enough pitch to keep snow or rain from accumulating and caving it in.  I'll let you all know how it holds up to the western Mass winter.

Keith
     

[crazycarl]

this is an important and most often overlooked subject.  thanks for bringing it to everyone's attention skip!

our cp19 was tarped (cheap poly) and stored at a friends place last fall and winter.  all the scrubbing and cleaning i did last spring after purchasing her was for not.  uncovering her this spring showed she had dark stains from leaves that had gotten under the tight fitting tarp.  there was green in all the corners and the shine i had worked so hard to get on her deck was gone.

this year will be different.  i plan on storing her inside a friends building.  even at $50 a month, i figure the $250 is money well spent, and i can work on her interior over the winter as the unit is heated.

carl

[Bob23]

Here is the way "Koinonia" and I deal with old man winter:


And here is where I'd like to spend it: Cabo.

Bob23

[skip1930]

See? That's what I'm talking about........so ah...Bob23, when do WE return to the 'Cabo arch' down south?
No looking fwd to the cool winter to come.

skip.

[brackish]

Winter Storage??

[Bob23]

How 'bout a CaboCompac Voo? Sure, it's a long trailer ride but the water is clear and warm, the tequila is plentiful and the cheeseburgers would make Jimmy Buffet envious.
bob23
It takes me about a day to construct my PVC and wood rib system and to install the canvas cover on Koinoina. I'm watertight, plenty of air movement under the cover and standing headroom in the cockpit.
No bluetarp is gonna cover my baby!

[MKBLK]

Skip -

Thanks for the timely and important info. With the cold weather quickly approaching (especially the last few days here in the NE - what's with that!) I have to consider protecting "Pegasus" from the elements. It seems that keeping her dry is most important. I notice that I get some water in the bilge every time it rains. I'm not sure where it gets in, and I pump it out promptly. Still, I'd like to avoid subjecting her to the freeze/thaw misery. Guess I'll start looking for indoor storage 'til Spring.

Bob23 -

Wow! You don't fool around, do you? Makes a lot of sense... great job.

Marty K.

[HideAway]

We live in an upside down world -  Winter is for sailing while summer is for storage

[Bob23]

I'm hoping to visit the upside down world of the Hideaways this winter. Cabo is out but FL is doable. Meanwhile, my  23 will be snug in her canvas pj's.
bob23