It is the time of year that most boaters start to get a little depressed because the boating season is winding down. Winterization and storage options occupy our minds. There are my options for your winter storage needs ranging from having the boat here at the marina to storing it yourself at your house. If you choose to house your boat in your driveway, then you will need to know the basics for the use of a tarp. That is where we come in. There are many reasons to store your boat at home, the biggest is convenience. You can work on your boat whenever you have a free moment. No need to spend time driving to and from the marina and no more frustration if you left something at home. There are some challenges to storing your boat at home over the winter months. The first being how do you keep it out of the elements? A tarp.
Using a tarp can be tricking and here are a few tips to make it easier for you.
Sharp Edges
On your boat you have sharp edges that no matter how many times you’ve tried to cover your boat with a tarp they inevitably rip the tarp. How do you prevent it? When you are covering your boat, first put old pieces of carpet or rags over the sharp edges and secure them with duct tape. The carpet rounds the edges which will protect your tarp.
Securing the Tarp
The best way to secure your tarp would be to wrap the bungee cords around the bottom of your boat. Doing that would make it very difficult to get in and work on your boat during the off season. The easiest way would be to fill a few milk jugs with rocks and water and tie them with rope to a few points of the tarp to hold it in place. When you want to get in the boat, you just need to undo a few jugs and not have to worry about exposing the whole boat.
Tarp Support
You will need to support your tarp at its low points or it will collect water which could completely compromise the tarp. The easiest way to do this would be to place a step ladder on the deck of your boat to keep the tarp supported. You now have the knowledge to better prepare your boat for winter storage at your home. Just remember to get proper ventilation under the tarp otherwise; you could end up having a mildew problem on your hands. Would you like more information on tarp tactics? Click here.
