CS34 Winter Cover

Two days after haulout, I was bound and determined to get the winter cover on.

In past years, work and life was busy, so the cover was usually rushed when it was freezing outside. Plus the willow trees just west of the boat would shed their leaves and stain the deck.

Last year, in heavy winds, a couple of the support ribs fell down and the cover collapsed in the wind and snow load a couple of times.  The stanchions poked several holes in the cover.  There were several rips from the howling winds.

A couple of weeks ago, I got the cover to WYC member Phil Hoskins to repair the sections of the cover, re-inforcing where the stanchions are.  He suggested that I get some schedule 40 PVC pipe and put it around the life lines.

I ripped a goove in the PVC pipe on the table saw at home.
Had to use a drill where the stanchions meet the lifelines, then a vibrating multitool at the various fittings

Lifeline gate

I also used tie wraps to secure the ribs to the toe rail and the PVC pipe.
This means that the ribs will not collapse like they have in the past.

Made a mess on the deck fabricating these, so I power washed the deck and cockpit.

Rita came by and helped me put the cover on

The 3 sections of the cover zip together.

Looking aft

Looking forward

Really pleased how the cover and frame has come together this year.

The cover fits like a glove, and the zippered door in the back makes for easy access using the swim ladder that folds up behind it.

The anchor will not fit underneath the cover, so I drop it to the ground.

Gives me a chance to clean out the anchor locker.
The yellow cord going to the right is the power cord so I can charge the batteries over the winter a couple of times.

Anchor/chain/rode under the boat, as well as the bimini frame.

Note how the whisker pole and boom are stored on the cradle.


Still Time is ready for the winter.

Only 192 days until launch!