Paul. I’m happy to be used as a negative example as a true amateur! And seriously thanks for the shout out. However, several of my subscribers who boat in much more harsher conditions than us are still plugging tarp if it’s done the RIGHT WAY! I’m not sure we have the energy to apply their suggestions but check out their comments when you get a chance including Bruce from Rhode Island. Let the debate continue…
Jeff, yours was far from a negative example - just a learning experience!! Go back through my videos and you'll see that I've done everything from crashed a relatively new drone into the lake, to burning the stripes into our hull and even wasted money on two new batteries because I was in such a hurry to get replacements that I got the wrong ones! Not to mention the fiasco of moving our boat from one slip to another this past summer, only to return within literally hours - plus the associated extra costs for that, but let's not get into the details right now 😩 So if anyone is to be called an amateur, that guy's name is more than once gonna be ME. Like I said, a healthy experience and hopefully a good life lesson. Both of us will be much more aware for the 'next time'. 😏 Looking forward to seeing how you guys make out with the cover. I'm sure you'll find a good solution - even if it does involve some backaches. . .
@@BoatingWithBoogaboothanks Paul for your encouragement and your litany of admitted mishaps!! Just to be clear, I am not offended in any way!! I am honored to be mentioned and am happy to serve as an example to learn from. I think the feedback all the way around is great. I think most boaters are humble because we have all been “humbled” or even “humiliated” at times.
@eternitysshore Great! I thought that maybe you saw this in a bad light, but all good, so thank you. Listen, if you grew up like I did, with my Dad tending to hit anything (and everything) with the family boat, you'd know why I'm just glad that I've only ever produced minor 'memory marks' to tell my boating story 😉 As long as everyone gets back to the dock with all our fingers and toes intact, it's a good day my friend.
For 15 years, we used to shrink wrap our own boats… It was a fun time. We did four or five at a time and split the cost of the shrink wrap… Whenever we would burn through we’d always laugh and say “Well there’s vent” ha ha ha.
I thought about doing it myself on our older boats, but ended up figuring it wasn't worth the hassle. When it came to the bigger boats, that was not an option. I'm pretty tall, but not that tall 😂
And another great video! The tarp-over-the-boat adventure that you describe… that was me when I bought my first boat and you described the consequences perfectly well. If the heavy snow pulls the tarp against the windshield, it can crack it: I was constantly outside taking the snow off of it. Now inside with the ‘Dancer in a non-heated tunnel tent… cheaper and with year round access is FANTASTIC! Call me paranoiac but I can only imagine if a heated boat space suddenly had no electricity… we’d think it’s the kids eating Rice Crispies but it’s all the engines cracking and popping ! Can’t wait to see your next video, always makes my day :))
Winter storage is one of those things you can not cheap out on. Been there done it cost a lot of money to fix what was broken. My biggest fear was having a windshield broken. We now have indoor cold storage and put a plastic cover on to keep the bird DoDo off. Love the vid on replacing the air conditioner and bought a Dometic ECD 10. The hardest part was getting the old one out. Still need to hook up the new one
I have always had my boats shrink wrapped here in Ohio. IF, the wrapping is put on properly I never had an issue. However, my 41' Silverton was improperly wrapped the first two seasons that I had it. They did not put enough support on that long bow and of course it crashed in with the first snow, then melted and refroze and made a complete mess. Luckily, the marina took care of it and the boat was not damaged. This year my name came up on the inside heated storage list and I have Jetlag stored inside where it is a minimum of 55 degrees. I have worked around the boat several times so far and love being inside. In fact, I am going up next week to shampoo carpet and start cleaning up the seats and putting protectant on them. I was also able to get my new canvas installed during storage season. The inside storage costs me about $900 more than having the boat winterized (engines only I do the rest) and shrink wrap.
That heated indoor storage is a dream come true - especially considering the minimal extra fee you pay for that option. Consider yourself very fortunate.
Hey Paul, Eternity Shores is around the corner from me, I didnt know you followed him. I myself used a tarp this year because I am having my motors rebuilt, what a struggle!! My now brace actually broke and is now sitting on the bow. Soon as this cold front breaks I will make another attempt. Keep the vids coming, this winter is not fun!!
This winter is back to a normal one like we had in the olden days - KoLd, lots of sNoW and Windy as heck! Hope you'll be able to get your tarp fixed up soon.
I never knew you bought the SeaRay sedan from MacRay. I've been next door at Belle Maer for 10 years. I store heated indoors, and always will for the reasons you mentioned.
We did the bale tarp thing the first year we got our boat and it held up the whole winter. Although it was stored at our house so we could keep an eye on it and 'tweak' whatever needed attention when we saw it. We then purchased a custom cover and it was only on for about 6 weeks and we had the most horrendous storms coming off Lake Erie and it got torn to shreds! All the structure came down and chipped the gel coat in various areas. Even damaged the radar arch which we had just paid to have repainted etc 😞 We still have gel coat from that storm to repair. This is the year I may finally get around it it! 🤣 We shrink wrapped after that. Indoor heated storage would be wonderful...but it is so pricey. Good luck Jeff only 3 more months to go! 😂
Sounds like you had some challenges as well! Glad you got it sorted out - and don't feel bad about having those leftover projects on the boat. I think we all got a few of those 😁
Good morning from Rhode Island. Love the content. I have been Tarping for years. Propper preparation makes a better product. One tarp will last for 3 seasons. That covered heated garage would be amazing here! Have an amazing day!!.
We shrink wrap but it does take some preparations. all the canvas comes off to start. we make sure our shrink wrap guy puts on lots of vents and we put damp traps ( moisture absorbers) all over the boat. we also try to get the windows open a time or two in the spring when we can. the moisture problems happen in the spring i find, not the winter. Its our only real option as we lost our inside storage ( cold) and its a long journey to find another one so blocked in the yard and shrink wrapped it is. WE have had no real issues over the years. I do dream of heated winter storage to get projects done but its a dream.
We also use lots of DampRid throughout the boat, both in the cabin and the cockpit, even though the boat is basically out in the open all winter. I also open all the inside cabin doors and cupboard doors for the off season so that any potential dampness can escape. I'm looking forward to climbing back aboard Boogaboo as soon as the temps get a little better, just to check things out. Nothing like going down into the cabin again after months away from the boat. . .
We have had our boats shrink wrapped over the years but have always taken down all canvas. We started tarping our own boat after having things broken on the boat from the guys being careless when shrink wrapping. We have had no issues with the tarp.
I'm reading that many folks are having good luck with a tarp, but that's not for me. Besides, I'd end up trashing it come springtime anyway, as we don't have anywhere to store an 80' tarp during the off season 😉
Another nice option for those who have store outside is the Genco covers. Had we kept our Carver up in Georgian Bay, that seemed like a pretty attractive option to me and it the pay back was pretty good vs shrik wrap.
@@mikebartlett9736 It was a number of years ago. The boat was a Carver 350 Mariner LOA 36+. We were paying approx.1100 for shrink wrap and I calculated the pay back to be between 3 to 4 seasons. Genco claims the covers last 10 to 12 years. You have to build the frame to their plans. Hope this helps.
I actually looked into one of those when we first bought our 400 Sedan Bridge, but ultimately decided it was way easier having the marina shrink wrap the boat. If I recall, the amortization would have been something like five seasons to start 'saving money' on the wrap. That, and it would have been a challenge - to say the least - manhandling the cover on and off each Fall and Spring. Aaaaaaand, storing that massive and heavy canvas cover would have been another challenge. . .
@@BoatingWithBoogaboo For our Carver payback was about 4 seasons. Storage? Yes, an issue for sure including all the framework. There were a few boats at Beacon Bay that had it and the material was surprisingly light. The fit was really nice. We tried the "tarping" ..... once!! Total P. I. T. A. Went back to shrink the following year but reused our framework. Suffice to say I like our covered slip!! Cheers Paul
Great cast on this topic Tried the tarp trick years ago on a small boat and it didn't work out to well Shrink wrapped now. Heading to the vancouver boat show next week Enjoy the toronto boat show We enjoyed that one last year Cheers Ryan
Thanks Ryan. Our Boat Show visit has already come and gone for this year. Watch for an upcoming video to see what trouble we got into this time around 😉
Yes, I'm familiar with that, but moving the boat up to The Bay each Fall just for storage isn't our best option. Plus, Midland is over an hour drive from home by car for us. That said, maybe fate will see us on gorgeous Georgian Bay year around in the future 😉
I got the biggest boat I could safely trailer comfortably. 300 Dancer. I am lucky enough to have been able to build a shop with heat to store it. Best investment ever.
That's great, but all of the above aren't options for me. My truck is too small, I don't have/want a trailer and no room to build a shop. For me, leaving it to the professionals is my best option.
A boat that is stored outside, uncovered is a POS and if not, it will soon be... I wouldn't use those plastic tarps for all the reasons you mention. They also don't breathe which can cause mold/moisture issues. Canvas tarps were used before shrink wrap came along. They were much more durable and they would breathe but since the shrink wrap came out I haven't seen canvas tarps used. I can't imagine the BTUs it takes to keep the water from freezing in the enclosed in-water storage facilities. I didn't know there were facilities like that - very interesting.
We did! One of our more enjoyable experiences there this time around. Yes, I'll be sharing a video soon - including a couple of things we did while there to make our time on the water more fun this summer!
I’m very lucky I have friend with a Barn that I keep my Chaparral in. It’s not heated but extremely dry inside. I have stored his Hotrod in my heated garage. By boat comes out just as clean as goes in.
We always tarped our boat until we bought a trailer for it. Then it stayed in our shop. 23 years at the same marina. 24 years in total with the same boat. Once we got the trailer we couldn't wait to get it out of the hands of the marina.
Absolutely, if one has a boat that can be transported and then stored indoors each winter, that is an excellent option. For us, the boats we had over the past 20 years were too big to move twice a year and wasn't a practical option for us. Trust me, I've looked at this winter thing every which way over the past two decades and always came to the conclusion that my efforts are best spent on maintaining and upgrading our boats, leaving the storage thing to the professionals 🤓
One year the tarp came off early. A gust of wind and my lack of patience for spring as a teen had something to do with that. It somehow found its way into the trunk of my car. You should have seen the look on my dad's face when I got to the shop the next day. Bad idea of having the boat in your machine shop all winter long is that company work barely gets done😅 I loved the video you had of all the boats you had in your lifetime. I love the older Gen Ray's! We had the 245 Dancer. Looking forward to your 2025 season.
Paul. I’m happy to be used as a negative example as a true amateur! And seriously thanks for the shout out. However, several of my subscribers who boat in much more harsher conditions than us are still plugging tarp if it’s done the RIGHT WAY! I’m not sure we have the energy to apply their suggestions but check out their comments when you get a chance including Bruce from Rhode Island. Let the debate continue…
Jeff, yours was far from a negative example - just a learning experience!! Go back through my videos and you'll see that I've done everything from crashed a relatively new drone into the lake, to burning the stripes into our hull and even wasted money on two new batteries because I was in such a hurry to get replacements that I got the wrong ones! Not to mention the fiasco of moving our boat from one slip to another this past summer, only to return within literally hours - plus the associated extra costs for that, but let's not get into the details right now 😩 So if anyone is to be called an amateur, that guy's name is more than once gonna be ME.
Like I said, a healthy experience and hopefully a good life lesson. Both of us will be much more aware for the 'next time'. 😏
Looking forward to seeing how you guys make out with the cover. I'm sure you'll find a good solution - even if it does involve some backaches. . .
@@BoatingWithBoogaboothanks Paul for your encouragement and your litany of admitted mishaps!! Just to be clear, I am not offended in any way!! I am honored to be mentioned and am happy to serve as an example to learn from. I think the feedback all the way around is great. I think most boaters are humble because we have all been “humbled” or even “humiliated” at times.
@eternitysshore Great! I thought that maybe you saw this in a bad light, but all good, so thank you.
Listen, if you grew up like I did, with my Dad tending to hit anything (and everything) with the family boat, you'd know why I'm just glad that I've only ever produced minor 'memory marks' to tell my boating story 😉 As long as everyone gets back to the dock with all our fingers and toes intact, it's a good day my friend.
For 15 years, we used to shrink wrap our own boats… It was a fun time. We did four or five at a time and split the cost of the shrink wrap… Whenever we would burn through we’d always laugh and say “Well there’s vent” ha ha ha.
I thought about doing it myself on our older boats, but ended up figuring it wasn't worth the hassle. When it came to the bigger boats, that was not an option. I'm pretty tall, but not that tall 😂
Paul
Custom canvas cover is a good idea. I would always remove all my canvas and glass before shrink wrapping.
I love our indoor heated storage.
Yes, indoor heated storage is the best, but not always feasible where we have our Boogaboo boats. . .
And another great video! The tarp-over-the-boat adventure that you describe… that was me when I bought my first boat and you described the consequences perfectly well. If the heavy snow pulls the tarp against the windshield, it can crack it: I was constantly outside taking the snow off of it. Now inside with the ‘Dancer in a non-heated tunnel tent… cheaper and with year round access is FANTASTIC! Call me paranoiac but I can only imagine if a heated boat space suddenly had no electricity… we’d think it’s the kids eating Rice Crispies but it’s all the engines cracking and popping ! Can’t wait to see your next video, always makes my day :))
Winter storage is one of those things you can not cheap out on. Been there done it cost a lot of money to fix what was broken. My biggest fear was having a windshield broken. We now have indoor cold storage and put a plastic cover on to keep the bird DoDo off. Love the vid on replacing the air conditioner and bought a Dometic ECD 10. The hardest part was getting the old one out. Still need to hook up the new one
Glad my A/C replacement video helped you out - but ya gotta finish your installation, or it ain't gonna do anything 😂
I have always had my boats shrink wrapped here in Ohio. IF, the wrapping is put on properly I never had an issue. However, my 41' Silverton was improperly wrapped the first two seasons that I had it. They did not put enough support on that long bow and of course it crashed in with the first snow, then melted and refroze and made a complete mess. Luckily, the marina took care of it and the boat was not damaged. This year my name came up on the inside heated storage list and I have Jetlag stored inside where it is a minimum of 55 degrees. I have worked around the boat several times so far and love being inside. In fact, I am going up next week to shampoo carpet and start cleaning up the seats and putting protectant on them. I was also able to get my new canvas installed during storage season. The inside storage costs me about $900 more than having the boat winterized (engines only I do the rest) and shrink wrap.
That heated indoor storage is a dream come true - especially considering the minimal extra fee you pay for that option. Consider yourself very fortunate.
Hey Paul, Eternity Shores is around the corner from me, I didnt know you followed him. I myself used a tarp this year because I am having my motors rebuilt, what a struggle!! My now brace actually broke and is now sitting on the bow. Soon as this cold front breaks I will make another attempt. Keep the vids coming, this winter is not fun!!
This winter is back to a normal one like we had in the olden days - KoLd, lots of sNoW and Windy as heck! Hope you'll be able to get your tarp fixed up soon.
I never knew you bought the SeaRay sedan from MacRay. I've been next door at Belle Maer for 10 years. I store heated indoors, and always will for the reasons you mentioned.
Really? I posted my videos 15 years ago from when we bought that boat at MacRay Harbor . They've been on my channel the whole time. . .
We did the bale tarp thing the first year we got our boat and it held up the whole winter. Although it was stored at our house so we could keep an eye on it and 'tweak' whatever needed attention when we saw it. We then purchased a custom cover and it was only on for about 6 weeks and we had the most horrendous storms coming off Lake Erie and it got torn to shreds! All the structure came down and chipped the gel coat in various areas. Even damaged the radar arch which we had just paid to have repainted etc 😞
We still have gel coat from that storm to repair. This is the year I may finally get around it it! 🤣
We shrink wrapped after that. Indoor heated storage would be wonderful...but it is so pricey.
Good luck Jeff only 3 more months to go! 😂
Sounds like you had some challenges as well! Glad you got it sorted out - and don't feel bad about having those leftover projects on the boat. I think we all got a few of those 😁
Good morning from Rhode Island. Love the content. I have been Tarping for years. Propper preparation makes a better product. One tarp will last for 3 seasons. That covered heated garage would be amazing here! Have an amazing day!!.
Heated indoor storage is a dream for sure. I hope you have a great day, too!
We shrink wrap but it does take some preparations. all the canvas comes off to start. we make sure our shrink wrap guy puts on lots of vents and we put damp traps ( moisture absorbers) all over the boat. we also try to get the windows open a time or two in the spring when we can. the moisture problems happen in the spring i find, not the winter. Its our only real option as we lost our inside storage ( cold) and its a long journey to find another one so blocked in the yard and shrink wrapped it is. WE have had no real issues over the years. I do dream of heated winter storage to get projects done but its a dream.
We also use lots of DampRid throughout the boat, both in the cabin and the cockpit, even though the boat is basically out in the open all winter. I also open all the inside cabin doors and cupboard doors for the off season so that any potential dampness can escape. I'm looking forward to climbing back aboard Boogaboo as soon as the temps get a little better, just to check things out. Nothing like going down into the cabin again after months away from the boat. . .
We have had our boats shrink wrapped over the years but have always taken down all canvas. We started tarping our own boat after having things broken on the boat from the guys being careless when shrink wrapping. We have had no issues with the tarp.
I'm reading that many folks are having good luck with a tarp, but that's not for me. Besides, I'd end up trashing it come springtime anyway, as we don't have anywhere to store an 80' tarp during the off season 😉
Another nice option for those who have store outside is the Genco covers. Had we kept our Carver up in Georgian Bay, that seemed like a pretty attractive option to me and it the pay back was pretty good vs shrik wrap.
How much was the genco cover? I have a 40x express . Just curious what yours cost ballpark. Thank you!
@@mikebartlett9736 It was a number of years ago. The boat was a Carver 350 Mariner LOA 36+. We were paying approx.1100 for shrink wrap and I calculated the pay back to be between 3 to 4 seasons. Genco claims the covers last 10 to 12 years. You have to build the frame to their plans. Hope this helps.
I actually looked into one of those when we first bought our 400 Sedan Bridge, but ultimately decided it was way easier having the marina shrink wrap the boat. If I recall, the amortization would have been something like five seasons to start 'saving money' on the wrap. That, and it would have been a challenge - to say the least - manhandling the cover on and off each Fall and Spring. Aaaaaaand, storing that massive and heavy canvas cover would have been another challenge. . .
@@BoatingWithBoogaboo For our Carver payback was about 4 seasons. Storage? Yes, an issue for sure including all the framework. There were a few boats at Beacon Bay that had it and the material was surprisingly light. The fit was really nice. We tried the "tarping" ..... once!! Total P. I. T. A. Went back to shrink the following year but reused our framework. Suffice to say I like our covered slip!! Cheers Paul
Great cast on this topic
Tried the tarp trick years ago on a small boat and it didn't work out to well
Shrink wrapped now.
Heading to the vancouver boat show next week
Enjoy the toronto boat show
We enjoyed that one last year
Cheers
Ryan
Thanks Ryan. Our Boat Show visit has already come and gone for this year. Watch for an upcoming video to see what trouble we got into this time around 😉
Winter storage for us - indoor heated at our marina.
That's the way to do it!!
I have a 28 ft go-fast. Tarp all the time. No problems.
Great 👍
Tons of indoor, heated storage on Georgian Bay. Our 46 is stored in one.
Yes, I'm familiar with that, but moving the boat up to The Bay each Fall just for storage isn't our best option. Plus, Midland is over an hour drive from home by car for us.
That said, maybe fate will see us on gorgeous Georgian Bay year around in the future 😉
Ohhhh, a hint!
I got the biggest boat I could safely trailer comfortably. 300 Dancer. I am lucky enough to have been able to build a shop with heat to store it. Best investment ever.
That's great, but all of the above aren't options for me. My truck is too small, I don't have/want a trailer and no room to build a shop. For me, leaving it to the professionals is my best option.
A boat that is stored outside, uncovered is a POS and if not, it will soon be...
I wouldn't use those plastic tarps for all the reasons you mention. They also don't breathe which can cause mold/moisture issues. Canvas tarps were used before shrink wrap came along. They were much more durable and they would breathe but since the shrink wrap came out I haven't seen canvas tarps used.
I can't imagine the BTUs it takes to keep the water from freezing in the enclosed in-water storage facilities. I didn't know there were facilities like that - very interesting.
I'm thinking that, given the location, a lot of that water would remain unfrozen because of the constant current from the St Clair River?
Did you and Anchor girl end up going to the Toronto boat show? If so did you video it?
We did! One of our more enjoyable experiences there this time around. Yes, I'll be sharing a video soon - including a couple of things we did while there to make our time on the water more fun this summer!
I have my to boats all winter in the water in Sweden 😀I also have lived in full time in the boats all winter with motor heaters😀
Living on the boat all year around would be a dream for me! Enjoy 😊
listen up new boaters how your boating season goes can be a direct reflection on how your boat spent the previous off season !
Very true.
I remember when you dug out the wrong boat when it was covered. 😂
Actually, it wasn't the 'wrong' boat, just not 'our' boat 😅 That's what happens when we get parked beside too many other Sea Rays 😉
@ there is no such thing as too many Sea Rays. 😎
I’m very lucky I have friend with a Barn that I keep my Chaparral in. It’s not heated but extremely dry inside. I have stored his Hotrod in my heated garage. By boat comes out just as clean as goes in.
We always tarped our boat until we bought a trailer for it. Then it stayed in our shop. 23 years at the same marina. 24 years in total with the same boat. Once we got the trailer we couldn't wait to get it out of the hands of the marina.
Absolutely, if one has a boat that can be transported and then stored indoors each winter, that is an excellent option. For us, the boats we had over the past 20 years were too big to move twice a year and wasn't a practical option for us. Trust me, I've looked at this winter thing every which way over the past two decades and always came to the conclusion that my efforts are best spent on maintaining and upgrading our boats, leaving the storage thing to the professionals 🤓
One year the tarp came off early. A gust of wind and my lack of patience for spring as a teen had something to do with that. It somehow found its way into the trunk of my car. You should have seen the look on my dad's face when I got to the shop the next day.
Bad idea of having the boat in your machine shop all winter long is that company work barely gets done😅 I loved the video you had of all the boats you had in your lifetime. I love the older Gen Ray's! We had the 245 Dancer. Looking forward to your 2025 season.