Boat cover or shrinkwrap

So the past few seasons I’ve always shrink wrapped my boat for the winter , but this year I’ve decided to build a frame and use a tarp instead. But I was just thinking my boat came with a nice canvas cover made by dowco with the built in ratcheting straps with three support poles with vents built in the top.

Anyone just use there summer covers in the winter or will this ruin the cover quickly ? It’s not perfectly water tight but I could throw a tarp over top of it.

Nothing beats the wrap. Water tight and keeps the critters out especially if you leave it outside. My opinion.

I’ve used the summer covers. I built a frame out of 2x4 that gets placed in my boat. When I put the cover on looks like a slanted rooftop. 1st year got mice in the boat ate some damn wires so now I shrink rap, summer cover and large tarp. I do the shrink rap so no animals can get in it. Also a couple mouse traps around wiring just in case.

I take my summer cover and put in basement. I built a wood structure and use blue tarps. I have done this for my last 3 boats. I have never had mice in my boat or at least no sign of them. cost in minimal. I leave my boat in the driveway and there is plenty of room for wind to get in at both ends. Maybe it doesn't give enough protection from the cold for the mice to want to get in there.

I just build a frame 6 2x4s and 1 2x4 18 feet tarp it over but I put bounce sheets and a couple moth balls around you can also get a electronic device that runs on 2 double a batteries that uses high sound waves it does work and batteries last very long time at least a year . Never had any issues

Most tarps aren't UV resistant and will fade your boat's interior over time. If you have a new boat with materials that are affected by UV-light, it's probably not a good idea to use a home depot tarp.

I’ve been using a heavy duty tarp grey and black from Princess Auto on sale $80.00 24x30. The tarps last about 3 or 4 years..built a frame with 18’ 2x4 on top for my 19’ Regal 2010 never had a problem with mice…a lot cheaper than $20.00 a foot for shrink wrap every year

Buy shrink every year ???????? buy it once and take care of it it will last you several years. Just make a slit at the bow and take if off carefully, store it and use it the following yr, just tape the slit when you reuse it.

Thx for the advice guys , like I said I’ve always shrink wrapped but had a bad experience last year ( shitty job ) , so decided to just frame and tarp. My boat is just a 16 footer alumacraft tiller.

I was going back and forth between wood frame or pvc and how to build it then I seen the “navigloo” at Canadian tire the other day and said ###### it and bought it. It’s a pre made adjustable frame that comes with the tarp. Price is a little steep I’ll admit but it looks exactly like what I was looking to build, and with my work schedule I was getting kind of stressed about it. Hopefully a one time purchase anyways then just replace the tarp every few years , and if I get a new boat in the future it’s adjustable.

Will let you guys know how it is in a couple weeks.

one of the best tarps to get is a tractor trailer tarp from the big rigs or an old movie tarp that they hang on side of buildings the one i have is probably about 17 yrs old paid about 30.00 back then and still going but finally showing its age so next year may have to look for another. if anyone ever hears of where you can pick up another one cheap please post

agreed........been using mine for 6 years......but a new one for this year 200 and done in my driveway


just get a roll of tape 2 and 6 inch and reseal or use a heat gun and patch on a new piece done


I also looked at that navigloo system....looks okay, so let us know how it works out for you please


gl

X2 on the Navigloo system.
I bought it from Canadian Tire last week, but got cold feet and returned it a few days later.
Still not sure i did the right thing. My reasoning was I didn't know how that system would work in winter with our snow levels.
If it holds together under our winter snow loads, l'll buy it (again) for the next winter.

Cheers,

Just got done installing it today , more of a pain in the a## than expected I’d recommend another set of hands to atleast hand you stuff. However I’m sure next year will be easier I’ll just leave most of the frame as is without taking apart.

They recommend building it 78 inch high which will give a 50% slope so I have no doubt snow should slide right off. The only concern I can see would be with really high winds because the pvc frame is a little thinner than I expected but the cam straps they provided ( 4 for each main support pole ) would not slip when I pulled hard so hopefully no issues. The provided tarp is heavy duty. They also give you 200 feet of decent rope for tieing down the tarp but I opted for bungie cords instead. I put a bucket of damprid in there to deal with any moisture just in case as well.

So far I’d say I would recommend but will update once we actually get some snow.

Well it’s that time of year so figured I’d post an update on how the navigloo held up.

Worked perfect shed the snow and withstood the wind storms last winter ( some 90km/hr gusts ). Tarp is still basically new no wear. No condensation either boat was dry as a bone. Would I buy it again ? I would but If you have the time and wanna save a few bucks a pvc frame or wood frame would do the same job but I’m happy with it.

I seen it priced at Canadian tire for around 650 plus tax now though ? When last year it was 480 plus tax. I don’t think I’d spend 650+ For what you get 480 was hard enough to swallow.