Month: November 2014

On Saturday (15-November-2014) my brother and I went to the boat yard for the third day of the winterization process for “Thanks Dad”.

We added “pipe insulation” as a cushion at the points of contact where the tarp and frame rub in an effort to prevent/minimize the possibility of the chaffing causing holes in the tarp.

We also did the final tie down of the tarp adding 2 bungees at each point so if any bungee fails we have a backup in place.

“Thanks Dad” is hopefully now ready for another brutal winter.

We had the first measurable snow the evening of the 15th and single digit temperatures are forecasted for the beginning of the coming week.

On Saturday (8-November-2014) my brother and I went to the boat yard for the second day of the winterization process for “Thanks Dad”.

We installed the tarp over the new frame.

One “bone head” issue on my part. I bought 2 tarps, both 20′ x 20′. Should have been one tarp 20′ x 20′ (to cover the boat forward of the mast) and one 20′ x 30′ (to cover the boat aft of the mast). I knew what the sizes needed to be. I even had the dimensions on the drawing I made for the tarp. We had to run out and buy a third tarp 10′ x 10′ to finish the stern area.

We didn’t have enough bungee cords to double up on each one, so we will need to go back and add some later. I want to have 2 cords at each point in case one breaks during a particularly cold and windy day.

On Saturday (25-October-2014) my brother and I went to the boat yard for the first day of the winterization process for “Thanks Dad”.

We ran anti-freeze through the engine & head/holding tank and we removed the cushions, lines, fenders, electronics, safety equipment and other miscellaneous items.

We also fabricated a new frame for the tarp. The frame we made in 2012 was 3/4″ Sched. 40 PVC. It broke in a couple places each of the last 2 winters at some of 45 degree fittings. We decided to rebuild it using 1.25″ Sched. 40 PVC to beef it up.