Finally, a warm day!

L

littlebookworm

Active member
Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
RO Number
27413
Messages
1,164
I was finally able to get out to the marina in Eastpport to tape on the replacement shrinkwrap door and to start building the Kover Klamp and electrical pipe framework for a winter cover. The previous door had been ripped off by one of the January storms. I had taped the cutout back in place to keep the heavy snow and critters out of the boat. Everytime I tried to go to the marina since I bought the replacement door, we have had snow or bitter temperatures, which prevented the tape from sticking. The door's in. I brought out the boxes of Klamps and fittings and most of the electrical pipe I had used for the framework on our previous boat. I want to reuse as much of the pipe as I can. My plan is to build a minimal framework, getting the main arches and supports at the change-spots under the shrinkwrap. I'll then use the shrinkwrap in the spring or summer as a pattern to make a real winter cover out of Sunbrella or another similar fabric. Building the framework under an existing cover is not easy. I have to rebend the pipes to fit what's there instead of building it in open air and making a cover to fit. Shrinkwrap is fine, but I have a real problem with spending many hundreds of dollars on something which will be thrown away at the end of the winter.I figure I'll need about another 10-15 hours to build the framework. When it's all up, I'll shoot some photos and post them. Spring is in the air! Of course, tonight's temperature is supposed to be about 22 degrees, but the weekend is supposed to be in the 50s. There's hope. Hy
 
A little late in the season to be building a cover frame, isn't it?
 
Still got two more weeks of winter. Better late than never. You only need 6 more inches to have the second snowiest on record. And 5 of the 10 worst snowstorms on record came in early or mid march for New York.
 
Hogan: The framework isn't for this season. The shrinkwrap is security supported by 2x4s and strapping. The framework is support for the winter cover I will sew for next season and beyond. Since I'm going to be using the present shrinkwrap as a pattern, I'm building the framework to support the winter cover I will have for 2014-2015 winter and beyond. For our previous boat, a 24' Chaparral, I built the framework from scratch, following the directions in the kit and the video. I then covered it with a blue tarp secured with tarp clips and ropes. The marina we're presently using doesn't allow tarps. Shrinkwrapping is expensive and disposable. I hate that for both reasons. A Sunbrella or such cover will pay for itself in two seasons and is re-usable. My problem has been a pattern. Since the shrinkwrap fits, why not use it as a pattern? I'll do the removal next month, marking it and cutting it into sections so I can use it as a pattern. The new cover will be in two or three sections held together by zippers and straps. That way I should be able to handle it by myself. A one-piece cover for a 34' cruiser is just too bulky and heavy for me to lift, never mind to drape and tie. Photos to follow. Hy
 
I have a Taylor Made custom cover for my '88 Four Winns bowrider that I have built a support system for over the years. I started with a center ridge piece (a piece of wood that goes from the stern rail to the windshield frame, supported by PVC poles and hinged to allow me to open the engine hatch to charge the batteries over the winter). I used the fiberglass bows that West Marine and others sell to support it from the center ridge piece to the sides of the windshield frame. This winter I made a pair of plywood supports that attach to each inner side of the windshield frame that have brackets to secure the fiberglass bows. I used to just duct tape them to the frame but this system works much better. It did not cave in even with all the snow we had.
 
Unfortunately, Taylor Made doesn't make a cover for a 33' Cruisers. I can either have it custom made or make it myself. I choose the latter. A custom-made cover is a few thousand dollars. Doing it myself will run about $600. I have it planned and just need to build the framework and use the shrinkwrap as a pattern. Still, it will be complex. Hy
 
Update: We had a few warm days; Monday was in the 60s, Tuesday was in the 50s, and yesterday was in the 40s. Today it's in the teens, with a wind-chill of -3! I started building the Kover Klamp support system under the shrinkwrap last week and worked on it for a few hours yesterday. The plan was to build the framework, something I had done for our previous boat, and use the shrinkwrap as a pattern to sew a real Sunbrella winter cover to fit. The framework is easily taken apart and later re-assembled since all the pieces are marked, numbered, and catalogued. However, after working slowly and carefull yesterday for about 2 1/2 hours or so, I woke up this morning with severe lower back pain. The plan for the cover is scrapped. I'll have the boat shrinkwrapped each winter, much as I hate wasting the money and adding to the disposal problem. I have to choose what I can do. I surrenter to getting older. Anyone want to buy a Kover Klamp system? Stay warm and safe, my friends. Hy
 
Hy

Sorry to hear about your back pain. I live with back pain every day so I pick and choose what I am going to do and what I am going to pay for.

If I can lose 20 lbs it would be better but that is another story.
 
Hy, I'm interested in the Kover Klamps, let me know what you have and what you want for it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mintregila

Hy

Sorry to hear about your back pain. I live with back pain every day so I pick and choose what I am going to do and what I am going to pay for.

Click to expand...


+1 ....along with shoulder pain from roto-cuff surgery
 
Sorry to hear about your back.
My philosophy on doing work on boat is simple.
Can i fall and get hurt? yes, I don't do it.
Will it aggravate my back? yes, I don't do it.

So pretty much I hire someone to do most things like shrinkwrap, paint, wax, wash, etc.

The cover vs shrinkwrap debate for me I always feel the wrap is cheaper.
Cost $500 to wrap my boat in shrinkwrap. I do nothing. Just pay.
I looked at a cover it was like $3500. That is like 7 years of shrinkwrap plus I have to build the frame, get on a ladder, install it, etc.
For me its a no brainer, I use shrinkwrap!
 
That's going to have to be my philosophy from now on. I grew up in the auto repair business and my parents had a three-family house in Brooklyn with little money in the bank. My father did all the maintenance, repairs, and alterations on the house, so, of course, so did I. Frankly, there's almost nothing in a house or a machine I couldn't handle. I think the days of moving walls and adding rooms, along with engine swaps and compounnding and waxing a boat or car have passed. I do look forward to having some cruising and fishing enjoyment on the boat this spring and summer, though. Hy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top