Winter covers for bridge boats

Irie308

Well-Known Member
May 28, 2013
2,578
CT
Boat Info
2004 420 DB, GHS Hydraulic Lift
Garmin 8600/Garmin 1222 plus
AB Mares 10 VSX with 30 hp Tohatsu
Engines
Cummins 450C 8.3 L Turbocharged
giving serious thought to getting a winter cover for our 42 DB. We winter in the water and the most stressing thing is finding someone to wrap the boat. Either no one wants to do it or no one does it well. If we stored on land it wouldn’t be a problem. But would add about $1800 to our annual cost. Not a big deal but I like wintering in our homeslip. No fuss to get out in the fall or to get in in the spring. In addition we have access to the boat all winter with full shore power. Got a quote for a winter cover that would pay for itself in about 5-6 winters. My question is does anyone have one on a DB and would it be too heavy and cumbersome to put up and down? Not to mention the framing. Have seen different versions of winter covers on a DB but not a full enclosure as I was quoted. As it is now I’d be lucky if my current shrink wrap makes it through the next blow.
 
Dean I had a neighbor who had a full canvas type cover made for his silverton bridge boat his was a prototype so it was almost free he did mention it’s huge and had to store it. Also takes a few people to put on and off. I guess it depends on how long you plan on keeping the boat I’d keep searching for a shrink wrapper even if you had to pay a little more for them to travel to you.
 
Yeah, figured it would be a struggle to put on and off. Seems every year we struggle to find someone to wrap in the water and do a good job. May just bite the bullet and start hauling it. Can’t take the stress of the wrap coming apart.
 
Yeah, figured it would be a struggle to put on and off. Seems every year we struggle to find someone to wrap in the water and do a good job. May just bite the bullet and start hauling it. Can’t take the stress of the wrap coming apart.
Dean,
Have you looked at Fisher Covers out of New Jersey? I looked into them years ago. From my research the product was heavy & definitely required several people to install but maybe they've come out with lighter materials since then?

http://www.fishercanvas.com/
 
I had Fisher canvas made a cover for my 34' I could put it on and off by myself.
I newer canvas are a much lighter material,
They came to my boat took all measurements and when it was done he delivered it to my house.
The fit was perfect.
 
Here is a Fisher cover on a 36' Carver. It is made from WeatherMax material. Awesome stuff and much lighter than the older covers.

4AA4E458-7A42-43CE-9F3B-158BCD9EA755_1_201_a.jpeg
 
Quint, how do you feel about the covers beating on the gel coat all winter do you think it would be a porblem? Shrink wrap is pretty taught especially at the water line. I had little stand offs to keep the shrink wrap from touching the hull during winter. What’s your experience?
 
Not an issue that I've heard of. On that note, I would try to tension the cover as best as possible to deter and flapping etc. (Flags wear out because they flap!).
 
Dean,
Have you looked at Fisher Covers out of New Jersey? I looked into them years ago. From my research the product was heavy & definitely required several people to install but maybe they've come out with lighter materials since then?

http://www.fishercanvas.com/
Yes, my quote is for a fisher cover. I think the weight will be around 125-150 lbs for the 2 pieces. They have an 8oz and a 12 oz material. The heavier material is cheaper for some reason. “Noted life expectancy is 8-10 years with some people getting up to 15-20”
 
giving serious thought to getting a winter cover for our 42 DB. We winter in the water and the most stressing thing is finding someone to wrap the boat. Either no one wants to do it or no one does it well. If we stored on land it wouldn’t be a problem. But would add about $1800 to our annual cost. Not a big deal but I like wintering in our homeslip. No fuss to get out in the fall or to get in in the spring. In addition we have access to the boat all winter with full shore power. Got a quote for a winter cover that would pay for itself in about 5-6 winters. My question is does anyone have one on a DB and would it be too heavy and cumbersome to put up and down? Not to mention the framing. Have seen different versions of winter covers on a DB but not a full enclosure as I was quoted. As it is now I’d be lucky if my current shrink wrap makes it through the next blow.
Fischer makes a very good product. They have a proven product. I myself made my own cover using army duck material. Very lightweight when dry (that's the key). It weighs approximately 1lb per yard dry. I used 125 yards, therefore the entire cover is 125lbs dry. But you won't handle the entire weight at one time. So far I've had it for 7 years. Love it!!
 

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Fischer makes a very good product. They have a proven product. I myself made my own cover using army duck material. Very lightweight when dry (that's the key). It weighs approximately 1lb per yard dry. I used 125 yards, therefore the entire cover is 125lbs dry. But you won't handle the entire weight at one time. So far I've had it for 7 years. Love it!!
That’s a nice tight fit. Looks great!
 
FFE34259-17AA-4882-AFE4-87EF21070032_1_201_a.jpeg

I see some boats around here with just the bridges covered. The winter sun is pretty brutal so the gel coat takes a UV hit.
 
Yeah, figured it would be a struggle to put on and off. Seems every year we struggle to find someone to wrap in the water and do a good job. May just bite the bullet and start hauling it. Can’t take the stress of the wrap coming apart.

We don’t wrap ours. We stay in the water, do a fall wax, put the rear cockpit canvas cover on and it’s all good until the spring.
 

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