Shrinkage - Not a Big Deal

Alright, because we choose to base our nautical adventures in New England and Marion, MA, to be precise, consideration for winter storage is an important component in the annual maintenance process.  The choices range from doing nothing, blue poly tarps, shrink-wrap, and canvas covers.  Now, I didn't mention inside storage, because that often eliminates the possibility of DIY work.

Doing nothing is certainly easy at first.  However, the boat is subject to all of the harshness of the New England weather:  rain, snow, sleet, etc.  While easy and cheap at the onset, this method begets much more maintenance in the Spring.

While/blue poly tarps, a ubiquitous feature of many northeast boat yard in the past, has been eliminated from consideration because of one major problem.  There are many instances where the tarp has split and become a huge sail that threatened to pull the boat off its jack stands in a storm.  Not good for the boat or the neighboring boats!

The main choice is between shrink-wrap and custom canvas covers.  Shrink-wrap is usually an annual solution, although some folks are able to extend the life of the cover for another year:  incredible effort for questionable return.  Canvas covers custom designed for the boat generally last for at least 10 years, although fastidious care can push the life out to 15 years.

White shrink-wrap covers on the boats stored around Harmony

Shrink-wrap is either clear, blue, or white, and is very strong when shrunk.  However, it is not breathable and the installation requires several ventilation holes.  Moisture from the air and water left in the bilges is usually retained inside and can sometimes lead to mold and mildew.  In some cases this lack of ventilation can damage the gel-coat and painted surfaces.  This product can be recycled, but both the boat owner and the boat yard management need to be make the effort to recycle and not just stuff the plastic into the dumpster in the Spring.  The annual cost for shrink-wrapping a boat can fall within the $3.00 to $4.00 a foot range, but some services can do so for much less.

Canvas covers are cover the boat similarly to shrink-wrap, but the canvas breathes naturally and strategically placed vent holes do a great job of providing ventilation.  Gelcoat and painted surface damage is usually not a concern.  While similar in purpose and results to a shrink-wrap cover, the canvas cover can be reused for many years and is made of a natural material.  However, the initial cost of the cover can be 3X or 4X the cost of an annual shrink-wrap cover.

We've used an annual shrink-wrap cover on Poetry for many years, but we wanted to take a different tack for Harmony.  Directionally, we've taken a significant environmentally responsible focus with how we'll operate Harmony:  composting heads, LED lights, renewable energy sources, etc.  We now needed to decide how to effectively cover Harmony during the winter months.  With the exception of the initial cost, the decision was a natural no brainer:  Canvas.

The Canvas Cover on Harmony - custom sewn by Sperry Sailmakers

To shrink-wrap Harmony, we would generally spend about $1,500 a year.  We priced out canvas covers and we found we could spend between $4,500 and $6,500 on a well made cover.  That means that we would break even in roughly 3 to 4 years.  These covers last about 10 years, so the financial decision was fairly easy.  In the long run we would save up to $6,500 in overall maintenance costs.  Yes, we would have to care for the cover ourselves, but isn't that what life is about anyway.

Voluminous access door at the stern

Great, we chose our sail maker Sperry Sails because of their quality, convenience, and price.  They did a great job, and their design provide us with great access to the boat while covered and wonderful space under the cover to do routine maintenance while covered. 

Standing head room space for on deck maintenance

Yes it was a big check to write, but we are happy with the decision, and our environmentally responsible efforts are kept in place.

Fair Winds and Following Seas!