In the middle of November, those who haven’t thought about it yet must absolutely do so now, without further delay: how to cover the boat in winter to keep it safe? Boats, it must be said, should ideally be covered almost always, to protect them from salt, temperature fluctuations, sunlight, rain, prying eyes, dust, and so on. But certainly, covering becomes particularly important during the cold season, especially in the case of winter storage, or the seasonal “abandonment” of the boat. But how to choose the perfect cover tarp for your boat? Here is a guide where we will discuss the features to prioritize in a boat cover tarp, the materials to prefer, and the accessories that can make the covering truly perfect.

Covering the boat in winter, in all cases

Where will you leave the boat in these months? Moored in the berth of your trusted marina, perhaps well-protected and very close to the city center, like that of our tourist port of Genoa Marina Porto Antico? Or maybe it’s already resting in its cradle, dry, in a dedicated area? Or again, maybe it’s in your home garden, or in a garage, on its nice trailer. Certainly, the level of threats to which the boat is exposed changes significantly from one location to another, but in all cases, a cover tarp is mandatory, to protect the boat from dust, insects, rain, sun, frost, and so on. Highlighting this aspect, let’s see how to choose the most suitable cover.

Choosing the tarp: trailerable or not

First of all, we can divide the world of boat tarps into two large groups. On one side, there are covers intended for boats trailerable boats, that is, tarps designed primarily to withstand during the transport of the boat: we are talking about “tight-fitting” covers, reinforced, that wrap the boat tightly to prevent them from flying away and to avoid creating friction during movements. Then there are the tarps designed to be laid on the boat while it is moored in the tourist port or on a cradle, stationary. Here we are dealing with softer covers, with more freedom of positioning and tensioning.

Standard or custom tarps

Another way to divide the different boat covers is to separate the standard, ready-made ones from the custom-made ones. Obviously, here a significant cost difference must be highlighted. On the market, it is possible to find tarps made specifically for a boat model, as well as universal covers, designed from time to time for 8-meter inflatables, 10-meter sailboats, and so on. Those who own a fairly common boat model will have no difficulty finding one or more alternatives for their cover on the market, whether it’s an inflatable, a small motorboat, a cabin cruiser, and so on.
Then there are the custom-made tarps: in this case, a specialized craftsman in making boat covers is contacted, who, after taking all the necessary measurements, makes a tailor-made tarp. Sometimes, in the presence of a flying bridge, boom, and other superstructures, the choice is practically mandatory. Here there are no limits to imagination, with the owner able to request a transparent window here, more space there, a particular padding underneath, and so on. There is no doubt: the price rises, but the result is something else entirely. Not far from our tourist port of Genoa, there are also highly experienced craftsmen in making custom tarps.

Material for the boat tarp

In most cases, boat tarps are made of polyester, a typically nautical material, sufficiently resistant to wear and tension, waterproof to the right degree, resistant to ultraviolet sunlight, and economically accessible. It is not uncommon to have polyester tarps coated with other materials, or otherwise reinforced. Then there are tarps in PVC, which, however, tend to be heavier and more difficult to manage when it comes to medium-large hulls. There are also other more refined synthetic fibers, not to mention higher quality cover tarps, which have a “soft” lining inside. This fluffy layer, made of synthetic fiber or cotton, has a dual purpose. First of all, it allows the tarp to be laid with maximum protection for the hull and equipment, also providing excellent protection against abrasions; secondly, this layer makes the formation of condensation inside the tarp less likely. Yes, because humidity is one of the number one enemies when covering the boat with a tarp for storage!

The boat must breathe

Speaking of humidity, the commandment is one: the boat must breathe. We cannot therefore completely isolate the boat with a tarp that prevents air circulation, thus risking the formation of mold. It is much better, therefore, to ensure a breathable solution, starting with the material used. But that’s not all: to increase air passage, it is possible to apply air vents to the covers, purchasing, for example, adhesive models, extremely easy to use.

Better to use telescopic supports

To correctly apply the cover tarp to your boat, there are various accessories. Consider, for example, additional buckle tensioners, to correctly adhere the cover, elastic hooks, and so on. But also consider telescopic poles, which allow the tarp to be supported very conveniently. In this way, several objectives can be achieved: by raising the tarp at the right point, it is possible to avoid the formation of water pockets, which could weigh down the cover and jeopardize its hold; but also allow passage on deck, useful for checks and maintenance of the boat during winter. For this purpose, it should be noted, there are also adhesive “doors” to apply to the tarp, so you can easily enter and exit the boat cover.