Cheap Boat Cover

[Frank Hagan]

Custom sail boat covers will last a long time, but they are pretty pricey. I don't need a cover while trailering my boat, so I just need something to keep the sun and dirt off her between sailings. Blue polytarp, probably the cheapest alternative, sometimes leaves blue ink stains on boats, so I didn't want to use a polytarp cover alone.

In 2000, I bought a large car cover, and it has lasted until now. It was a soft, permeable fabric cover, and it would allow water to drip through if it pooled on top. I ended up putting a blue polytarp over the top of it. And it wasn't long enough to cover the entire bowsprit, so it stuck out and was subject to discoloration due to UV.

Target has a car cover in a poly material that is designed to not stain materials, and is waterproof. Using one in XL size, I was able to cover Aslan from the tip of the bowsprit to the stern for $35. It also came with a handy bag to keep the cover in, which fit over the outboard. I added 4 grommets using my favorite brand of fake grommets ($2.69 for a 4-pack).

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[Craig]

Frank do you get any condensation on the underside? Or, is it too dry there. That is the big problem here with covers. In the mornings the drains are running a bit from the condensed water under the cover.

[Dave Ruedel]

Hamilton Marine (Don't have their web site handy) also has reasonably priced tarps designed to fit boats - they are long, and relatively narrow, so you dont't have yards of tarp hanging off the sides of the boat. I bought one long enough to cover the Vacationer from all but 1 ft of bowsprit to the end of the mast when laid down for about 25 bucks.

[Bill]

If you happen to be talking about our Hamilton Marine here in Maine, this is a link to the tarp area. I've done a lot of business with these folks and stand behind them. I probably stop off at their store at least once every 10 days. If there is anything I can get answered for you by stopping in and asking questions, or doing a touch/feel on items you are wondering about, please feel free to email me direct.

I will say I have no "connection" with them. I have probably dropped close to a grand with them over the years, brought stuff back, had them dig into the stockpiles outback, been given extensive demos, and bugged the crap out of them in general. GOOD FOLKS, always a smile.very informative!

http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/browse.cfm/2,514.html

Cheers,

B.

[Dave Ruedel]

Yep, that's the one. Bought that 12 x 25 foot tarp, under 25 bucks including shipping, Covered the whole boat with no trouble. Bought a few things from them over the last couple of years, enjoy doing business with them. Wish they weren't a thousand miles away, but hey, I'm about a hundred and fifty from the nearest West Marine, too. There are no serious marine stores anywhere near here, and Hamilton seems to be a serious marine store, but real easy to do business with.

[Frank Hagan]

Hamilton Marine is a great store ... most of the blocks on Aslan came from them. They have Wichard blocks that are sleeve bearing rather than ball bearing, and they are about half the price. The sleeve bearing blocks are actually better for things with higher loads like the halyards (traditionally at least, but I doubt that either way is a problem with small boats).

They are a few bucks cheaper on fiberglass cloth too, but their epoxy resin is way too expensive (stores just can't seem to compete with folks like Larry at Raka.com)