Covered storage or shrink-wrapped?

[fwd_loop]

As a new 07 211 owner living in Canada, and with winter looming, I am now faced with having to put the boat away. The dealer has provided me with two options:

1. Covered storage in a building, no snow can get in, using existing Sunbrella cover; or
2. Outside storage with the boat being shrink wrapped.

I suspect with the covered storage, moisture build up is less of an issue than with shrink wrapped. But its probably easier for dust/animals to get in with the Sunbrella cover and probably means your cover will deteriorate quicker.

The covered storage is about $200 more than shrink wrapped. What are people's views on which one is preferable?

Thanks in advance

[Noelb]

Always shrinked-wraped mine and no problems. That's what most people do up here in Montreal. Indoor storage is prone to bugs and pests, and can be a real big issue. Damaged upholstery, but also I hear that mice can get in the exhaust and damage your engine seriously.

[garywilkinson]

shrink vs dry

Ive got 2 nautiques, a 75 with hull rot and a 95 thats dry and clean. Older boat was shrink wrapped and that seems to be the most popular way to go but be wary of drum tight shrink wrapping for it traps moisture and thats what wrecked my 75 nautique. If possible, and you HAVE to go that way, shrink wrap it but get them to put in a vent so that air can escape and exchange.

I'm going to cover the boat in a barn and not shrink wrap but put screens in to openings that are porous to allow ventilation. Ever taken off your cover to see wet seats etc? not good ! so going dry is the way I'm planning to store the boats this year. (IMHO)

Gary

[Noelb]

RE: shrink vs dry

Hey Gary,

I notice you are on Lac Achigan. I'm actually on Connelly. Just curious-did you get your shrink-wrapping done by Atelier des Hauteurs. I always used to get mine done at SG (and stored there too) but last year I figured it was a lot simpler to go with Atelier since it's closer. Am I making a mistake? I'm also curious, where is the barn where you're storing your boat? Do they have available room?

[fwd_loop]

Going covered storage

Thanks for the responses.

You raise a good point about moisture and the shrink wrap, particularly if (as we do), we may not get the boat out of storage until early June (when the water warms up a little bit - we have young kids and they are not keen on single digit water temps).

As a result, on the hot days in May with shrink wrap, the dealer advises you can get significant moisture build up inside which can lead to mould. So, we have elected to go for covered storage, which keeps the boat out of the sun more and because you use a mooring cover is more porous/lets the moisture out- dealer will also add two chemical dehumidifiers to further reduce chances of moisture build up.

I'll let you know in the Spring if this is not true.

Cheers