How to go through the winter uncovered?

[DRock]

I had the boat (R-21EC) "covered" last year and it was awful, they used a tarp with no ventilation and in the spring time I was greeted to a bunch of mold in the cabin even though I used tons of dessicant. This year I decided not to cover and see how it goes, maybe next year I will get it professionally shrink wrapped or find warm storage somewhere. I am wondering what I should do to ensure the boat does not get damaged over the winter.

It was winterized last winter and never un-winterized this year. Does water collect anywhere when sitting uncovered that I should be concerned about and remove if present? I understand that I will have to get in there and shovel out the cockpit with each winter storm and it is likely to need a good scrubbing come Spring but that beats what I had to go through last year. I will be checking the scupper drains to make sure they are free of any debris and unclog if needed. Anything else I might be overlooking? I am primarily trying to avoid expensive damage.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[mikey]

I cover our C28 with a loose tarp letting air flow thru and have driZair tubs in galley,v berth, aft lockers 2 in engine room. Winterize with RV antifreeze volvo main, fresh water system, waste tank and toilet system with no problems. I did see a boat shrink wrapped in Calif with some moisture and black with mould come spring .

 

[mikey]

I cover our C28 with a loose tarp letting air flow thru and have driZair tubs in galley,v berth, aft lockers 2 in engine room. Winterize with RV antifreeze volvo main, fresh water system, waste tank and toilet system with no problems. I did see a boat shrink wrapped in Calif with some moisture and black with mould come spring .

 

[hdw]

The R21 EC drains cockpit water into the bilge. Although water drains out (if garboard drain plug removed) some may remain. I wouldn't risk possible ice formation in the bilge (or even in the cockpit).

 

[MassTug]

I had the boat (R-21EC) "covered" last year and it was awful, they used a tarp with no ventilation and in the spring time I was greeted to a bunch of mold in the cabin even though I used tons of dessicant. This year I decided not to cover and see how it goes, maybe next year I will get it professionally shrink wrapped or find warm storage somewhere. I am wondering what I should do to ensure the boat does not get damaged over the winter.

It was winterized last winter and never un-winterized this year. Does water collect anywhere when sitting uncovered that I should be concerned about and remove if present? I understand that I will have to get in there and shovel out the cockpit with each winter storm and it is likely to need a good scrubbing come Spring but that beats what I had to go through last year. I will be checking the scupper drains to make sure they are free of any debris and unclog if needed. Anything else I might be overlooking? I am primarily trying to avoid expensive damage.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[MassTug]

Hey - I have a 21 also and have never had an issue with mold when it’s covered - not sure what cover you are using - I did a you tube video on covering my 21 - pm me with any questions- Jonathan

 

[DRock]

The R21 EC drains cockpit water into the bilge. Although water drains out (if garboard drain plug removed) some may remain. I wouldn't risk possible ice formation in the bilge (or even in the cockpit).

Thank you! I was unaware it drained into the bilge, that definitely changes things a bit.

Hey - I have a 21 also and have never had an issue with mold when it’s covered - not sure what cover you are using - I did a you tube video on covering my 21 - pm me with any questions- Jonathan

I have watched a lot of your videos but somehow missed the one about covering it. I will give that a watch later today! Thanks!

 

[DRock]

I cover our C28 with a loose tarp letting air flow thru and have driZair tubs in galley,v berth, aft lockers 2 in engine room. Winterize with RV antifreeze volvo main, fresh water system, waste tank and toilet system with no problems. I did see a boat shrink wrapped in Calif with some moisture and black with mould come spring .

I tried a loose tarp last year and we got a Nor'Easter two weeks after covering, it was absolute hell to deal with the rest of the winter. I think that was on account of me not having a frame over the cockpit so snow piled up on the tarp. I did have a broken leg at the time so a frame was out of the question but I might try one this year.

 

[bob daily]

I used to cover my boat with a boat cover but with the wind in my area the cover did more damage than not having one, so now I just winterize it and pull the garboard drain plug and all is good. I’ve seen two feet of snow in the boat and below 0 degree for weeks at a time, come spring every thing is fine, dirty but fine.
Bob

 

[S. Todd]

I always figured indoor storage was part of the cost of boat ownership. When I couldn't find acceptable rental space. it was time to buy space. I figured purchasing storage space for less than 20% of the cost of the boat was a good investment. When I am too old and have to sell the boat, the storage space should at least have appreciated, unlike the boat. I love putting the boat away clean and finding it just as clean and dry in the spring as when I tucked her in 6 months earlier.
If indoor storage is not possible, getting it super dry and shrink wrapping with a zippered door so you can open her up and make sure there is no mold on those dry sunny days ( and change the air dryer containers ) is the next best thing, but that too costs money.

 

[hdw]

Indoor storage is the best if winters are harsh. I keep the trailered boat in a heated garage. Big plus is I can work on it comfortably, electric and tools are handy.

 

[bob daily]

The question was ( How to go through the winter with the boat uncovered)
Simply winterize your boat as normal and pull the plug!
Water only expands about 10% when frozen, as long as it has room to expand there will be no damage ( kind of like placing a water bottle in the freezer, as long as you take the cap off it won’t break the bottle.
Bob