Why not Polypropylene Tarp?

T

TimHenn

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Its a new routine for me, wintering in-water. I still want to cover my bridge to protect the Strataglass from wind and rain. I don't think i have a strong argument for wanting to cover but I'll feel better.

Why don't more people use Polypropylene Tarp? I understand shrink-wrap will do a better job of staying shaped to the boat/frame but is there really a big downside to using tarp?

I have very good places to secure the tarp along the sides and back of the bridge. I don't know if the eyelits will hold up to the wind and that might be the real downside - winter maintenance of your "wrap".

I'm also locating a shrink-wrap guy to see how much to do the bridge and even the whole boat.

Any opinions on using tarp?
 
The Klips look great. The video promotes his tarp material, is that something you use as well? I like that the clips can be used anywhere needed.

I'll give them a call tomorrow and see about the Klips and material. Might be a good option.

Thanks,
 
You need the tarp to stay tight so it doesn't move against any of the 'plastic' windows which can scratch and dull it.
 
Strat Glas $$$$$$$....Tarp $$. Strat Glas $$$$$$$....Tarp $$. Strat Glas $$$$$$$....Tarp $$.

I've looked at it three times and think you are better off shrink wrapping.

My mom's neighbor does boat detailing and wrapping. I can get you his number if you want. He's in Warwick.
 
I use a regular tarp from Harbor Freight, with their 20% off coupon, it cost me about $100 (30' x 60') and will last a couple of seasons. The Kover Klamp kit cost about $200. Shrink wrapping costs $800. This is my third season, I'm way ahead of the game.
 
Cost me $500 to wrap my 40' boat to rub rail.
That includes a final wash!!
Tight as a drum and nothing flaps.
Nothing on colored hull which is how you want it.

I have looked at fisher covers, koverklamps, tarps and always come back to shrinkwrap.
Why? Becuase i don't have to lift a finger or worry about it.
I see others with covers and they gotta build a support frame to support it on the boat.
That takes time, trips home, trips to hardware store, etc.
I have seen others do blue tarps that flap and beat up the boat or collapse.

I got alot of money in my boat, I ain't gonna skimp on something that is going to protect my boat thru the harshest time of the year when my boat sits with the least monitoring of the year!

But to each his own!
 
If I want to shrinkwrap it's going to cost me two grand and I have ZERO choice as to who does it. (Marina policy) My cover pays for itself in 1.5 years, takes only a couple of hours to put up and works well.

If my shrinkwrap bill was $500 then I might think otherwise but throwing $2,000.00 in the dumpster after 3 or 4 months doesn't sit well with me.
 
Some people enjoy doing their own work on their boats...
 
I think with a little care the Klover Klips and covering only the bridge I should be able to produce a very tight, no maintenance, winter cover for short money.

FWIW, i've shrink-wrapped my boat from the hardtop to the water line for $700 (50' of boat), well worth the money and no effort on my part. I never thought twice about it, but, alas, I'm not wintering out of the water at my regular place.

I don't mind the work cause it does save money -- and all my money is being sucked into the education system -- so there's not a lot of choice this (last) year.

I ordered the clips and the tie down material. I'll order a heavy duty white tarp from someplace online. As for protection of the strata glass!! yes, this is worth some extra effort. Even with the shrink-wrap I had the marina tie old blankets on the corners of the hard top to ensure the shrink-wrap didn't scratch the SG. I'll do something similar with this approach -- possibly pin sheets, or blankets, around the glass before covering. It's a project where i have little time but no money :)

Thanks.
 
Tim,

I wrap/role my notStratGlas in moving blankets when underway and for storage. I was surprised at how soft they really are. You can buy them at Wally World, U-Haul, or HomeDepotLowes. I think they are about $5-$6 each and are about the size of a queen/king flat sheet. I am not talking about quilted pads. The ones I use are like an old thick army blanket, only thicker. I believe they are made from recycled denim and wool. Very soft.

My 2 cents.
 
I used to use a 50' X 30' Silver tarp to cover my 34 Convertible. The silver tarps are much stronger than the blue, green or brown tarps and have reinforced eyelets every 18 inches. I would place this tarp over a pvc pipe frame that I re-used every year . I could easily get 3 seasons out of one gray tarp. Cost around $200 from Tarps Plus. I would use every eylet and tie it down tight so there was no flapping in the wind--that's the key to success with a tarp.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Gregory S

I used to use a 50' X 30' Silver tarp to cover my 34 Convertible. The silver tarps are much stronger than the blue, green or brown tarps and have reinforced eyelets every 18 inches. I would place this tarp over a pvc pipe frame that I re-used every year . I could easily get 3 seasons out of one gray tarp. Cost around $200 from Tarps Plus. I would use every eylet and tie it down tight so there was no flapping in the wind--that's the key to success with a tarp.

Click to expand...


Yeah... but you stich people up for a living.:D This mere mortal would eff it up in spades. Hell, I have trouble putting a winter cover on my swimming pool!
 
quote:
Originally posted by HOGAN

Some people enjoy doing their own work on their boats...

Click to expand...

+1 and there's always the cost factor. If I had to pay the marina for all the maintenance and repairs the boat would have been sold years ago.
 
I used silver tarp and Kover Klamp system for over 20 years wintering in the water. Worked great and withstood several Nor'easters. Ran two straps under the boat to secure a line that passed through the grommets around the hull. Would get 3-5 years per tarp. Extremely cost effective. The only reason I switched to shrink-wrap was my physical ability and time it took me to build the frame and secure the tarp. Created an entryway with crative tie-downs at the transom as boat is an aft cabin with stern ladder to deck.

Gene
 
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