good tarp for haven 12 1/2

[frameshop]

I just went up to the Cape to get the boats up for the season and found my haven full of water from the winter. Onc again the tarp failed. The grommets always fail. Fortunately I had put a 6 mm sheet of plastic under the tarp and that contained the water. The weight of the water can't be good for the boat. I run the mast about 2' above the deck of the boat with a front support built into the mast slot and a support across the transom. This makes a 60 degree pitch which I thought would allow everything the winter has to slide off. WRONG!!!!!. Where can I get a good tarp that can be securely fastened down and on which the grommets will not fail allowing the "tent" to collapse into the open hull?????? Roger

[frameshop]

I just went up to the Cape to get the boats up for the season and found my haven full of water from the winter. Onc again the tarp failed. The grommets always fail. Fortunately I had put a 6 mm sheet of plastic under the tarp and that contained the water. The weight of the water can't be good for the boat. I run the mast about 2' above the deck of the boat with a front support built into the mast slot and a support across the transom. This makes a 60 degree pitch which I thought would allow everything the winter has to slide off. WRONG!!!!!. Where can I get a good tarp that can be securely fastened down and on which the grommets will not fail allowing the "tent" to collapse into the open hull?????? Roger

[frameshop]

I just went up to the Cape to get the boats up for the season and found my haven full of water from the winter. Onc again the tarp failed. The grommets always fail. Fortunately I had put a 6 mm sheet of plastic under the tarp and that contained the water. The weight of the water can't be good for the boat. I run the mast about 2' above the deck of the boat with a front support built into the mast slot and a support across the transom. This makes a 60 degree pitch which I thought would allow everything the winter has to slide off. WRONG!!!!!. Where can I get a good tarp that can be securely fastened down and on which the grommets will not fail allowing the "tent" to collapse into the open hull?????? Roger

[Todd Bradshaw]

I don't know of a standard metal-type grommet that can make what one would call a truly secure attachment to non-woven fabric like those used in most plastic tarps. The base material stretches too much and most of the reinforcing scrims used in tarps are spaced too far apart to help keep the grommets from pulling out. You would actually get more strength by wadding the fabric around a walnut-sized hunk of something and strangling it off with the rope as an anchor point.

That's a pretty valuable boat to trust to your average tarp. It might be time to have somebody build you a custom tarp or boat cover from real cover fabric that will last for years. Might I also suggest that if the mast is going to be the ridge-pole for this tent-like shelter, it's probably worth adding some sort of simple strut in the middle to support the mast between the bow and stern supports. Snow, in particular, is heavy and will stick to a pretty steep slope. You wouldn't want to pull the tarp off in the spring and find that the weight had bowed the mast.

[Todd Bradshaw]

I don't know of a standard metal-type grommet that can make what one would call a truly secure attachment to non-woven fabric like those used in most plastic tarps. The base material stretches too much and most of the reinforcing scrims used in tarps are spaced too far apart to help keep the grommets from pulling out. You would actually get more strength by wadding the fabric around a walnut-sized hunk of something and strangling it off with the rope as an anchor point.

That's a pretty valuable boat to trust to your average tarp. It might be time to have somebody build you a custom tarp or boat cover from real cover fabric that will last for years. Might I also suggest that if the mast is going to be the ridge-pole for this tent-like shelter, it's probably worth adding some sort of simple strut in the middle to support the mast between the bow and stern supports. Snow, in particular, is heavy and will stick to a pretty steep slope. You wouldn't want to pull the tarp off in the spring and find that the weight had bowed the mast.

[Todd Bradshaw]

I don't know of a standard metal-type grommet that can make what one would call a truly secure attachment to non-woven fabric like those used in most plastic tarps. The base material stretches too much and most of the reinforcing scrims used in tarps are spaced too far apart to help keep the grommets from pulling out. You would actually get more strength by wadding the fabric around a walnut-sized hunk of something and strangling it off with the rope as an anchor point.

That's a pretty valuable boat to trust to your average tarp. It might be time to have somebody build you a custom tarp or boat cover from real cover fabric that will last for years. Might I also suggest that if the mast is going to be the ridge-pole for this tent-like shelter, it's probably worth adding some sort of simple strut in the middle to support the mast between the bow and stern supports. Snow, in particular, is heavy and will stick to a pretty steep slope. You wouldn't want to pull the tarp off in the spring and find that the weight had bowed the mast.

[frameshop]

Todd; good point on the middle support. Actually the mast (gaff rig) is supported on the mast step closer to the center on the boat. I have built a "mini mast" with a yoke on the top to cradle the mast. It's pretty rigid. Who makes a good tarp from whatever fabric is well suited for this task. Know on anyone???????? Roger

[frameshop]

Todd; good point on the middle support. Actually the mast (gaff rig) is supported on the mast step closer to the center on the boat. I have built a "mini mast" with a yoke on the top to cradle the mast. It's pretty rigid. Who makes a good tarp from whatever fabric is well suited for this task. Know on anyone???????? Roger

[frameshop]

Todd; good point on the middle support. Actually the mast (gaff rig) is supported on the mast step closer to the center on the boat. I have built a "mini mast" with a yoke on the top to cradle the mast. It's pretty rigid. Who makes a good tarp from whatever fabric is well suited for this task. Know on anyone???????? Roger

[Scott Rosen]

If you don't want to have a custom one made, then you can get a heavy waxed canvas tarp. It would be a bit more expensive than plastic, but well worth it.

[Scott Rosen]

If you don't want to have a custom one made, then you can get a heavy waxed canvas tarp. It would be a bit more expensive than plastic, but well worth it.

[Scott Rosen]

If you don't want to have a custom one made, then you can get a heavy waxed canvas tarp. It would be a bit more expensive than plastic, but well worth it.

[Sam F]

I can second Scott's comment. I had a old fashioned waxed canvas tarp and it lasted at least 5 times longer than the plastic ones.

[Sam F]

I can second Scott's comment. I had a old fashioned waxed canvas tarp and it lasted at least 5 times longer than the plastic ones.

[Sam F]

I can second Scott's comment. I had a old fashioned waxed canvas tarp and it lasted at least 5 times longer than the plastic ones.

[Ian McColgin]

We do pretty well concentrating on the frame. PVC hoops gunnel to gunnel going under (duct taped to) a supported ridge pole do well. The reason for having the ridge pole proud of the hoops is that it breaks the snow load. The whole rig moves just enough in the wind that the snow sheds fine if you make the height above deck about half the beam.

A fitted canvass is very nice but many still preferr the 'blue tarp' stuff. Fold the darts carefully and duct tape them inside and out to keep the wind from stressing the structure.

Gobs of tie downs. You can get those plastic clop-over things that substitute from grommets. These appear a bit less likely to tear out. But the main thing is about 3 times as many as standard issue. Spread the stress.

This gives you a cover big enough to work under. It's not like shrink wrap and generally there's enough ventilation.

The blue tarp makes my eyes buggy and green's not much better. If you can get the white, that's nicer.

Such a tarp ought to last 5 years.

[Ian McColgin]

We do pretty well concentrating on the frame. PVC hoops gunnel to gunnel going under (duct taped to) a supported ridge pole do well. The reason for having the ridge pole proud of the hoops is that it breaks the snow load. The whole rig moves just enough in the wind that the snow sheds fine if you make the height above deck about half the beam.

A fitted canvass is very nice but many still preferr the 'blue tarp' stuff. Fold the darts carefully and duct tape them inside and out to keep the wind from stressing the structure.

Gobs of tie downs. You can get those plastic clop-over things that substitute from grommets. These appear a bit less likely to tear out. But the main thing is about 3 times as many as standard issue. Spread the stress.

This gives you a cover big enough to work under. It's not like shrink wrap and generally there's enough ventilation.

The blue tarp makes my eyes buggy and green's not much better. If you can get the white, that's nicer.

Such a tarp ought to last 5 years.

[Ian McColgin]

We do pretty well concentrating on the frame. PVC hoops gunnel to gunnel going under (duct taped to) a supported ridge pole do well. The reason for having the ridge pole proud of the hoops is that it breaks the snow load. The whole rig moves just enough in the wind that the snow sheds fine if you make the height above deck about half the beam.

A fitted canvass is very nice but many still preferr the 'blue tarp' stuff. Fold the darts carefully and duct tape them inside and out to keep the wind from stressing the structure.

Gobs of tie downs. You can get those plastic clop-over things that substitute from grommets. These appear a bit less likely to tear out. But the main thing is about 3 times as many as standard issue. Spread the stress.

This gives you a cover big enough to work under. It's not like shrink wrap and generally there's enough ventilation.

The blue tarp makes my eyes buggy and green's not much better. If you can get the white, that's nicer.

Such a tarp ought to last 5 years.

[JimConlin]

I agree that it's too valuable and vulnerable a boat to leave un-watched in New England under a tarp. A FG boat with a crowned deck will only lose some varnish if the cover caves in. A highly finished open wood boat is another matter.
Find a barn, pay the yard for inside storage, or build a ridgid structure over it.

[JimConlin]

I agree that it's too valuable and vulnerable a boat to leave un-watched in New England under a tarp. A FG boat with a crowned deck will only lose some varnish if the cover caves in. A highly finished open wood boat is another matter.
Find a barn, pay the yard for inside storage, or build a ridgid structure over it.

[JimConlin]

I agree that it's too valuable and vulnerable a boat to leave un-watched in New England under a tarp. A FG boat with a crowned deck will only lose some varnish if the cover caves in. A highly finished open wood boat is another matter.
Find a barn, pay the yard for inside storage, or build a ridgid structure over it.

[RodB]

You can get a really good tarp by acquiring a used billboard sign. The material is white on the backside with the advertisment on the front. This material will last for years. It is very strong and you can just cut a hole and tie a rope through it and it won't rip out. Get a grommet kit and your in business.
I bought one like new for $40 that was 15 feet by 48 feet. I acquired one for free by noticing it had been taken down from a billboard... and left on the ground. I t was used but still in very good shape. They come with a small 8" hem on all sides... and if you cut it you can glue your own hem in it on the cut side.
Good Luck

[RodB]

You can get a really good tarp by acquiring a used billboard sign. The material is white on the backside with the advertisment on the front. This material will last for years. It is very strong and you can just cut a hole and tie a rope through it and it won't rip out. Get a grommet kit and your in business.
I bought one like new for $40 that was 15 feet by 48 feet. I acquired one for free by noticing it had been taken down from a billboard... and left on the ground. I t was used but still in very good shape. They come with a small 8" hem on all sides... and if you cut it you can glue your own hem in it on the cut side.
Good Luck

[RodB]

You can get a really good tarp by acquiring a used billboard sign. The material is white on the backside with the advertisment on the front. This material will last for years. It is very strong and you can just cut a hole and tie a rope through it and it won't rip out. Get a grommet kit and your in business.
I bought one like new for $40 that was 15 feet by 48 feet. I acquired one for free by noticing it had been taken down from a billboard... and left on the ground. I t was used but still in very good shape. They come with a small 8" hem on all sides... and if you cut it you can glue your own hem in it on the cut side.
Good Luck

[NormMessinger]

Too good of a boat to trust to a cheap covering....

But that said, Northern Tool Co. (google it) sells strong canvas tarps that are made from miss matched material. I have one that has red, blue and other colored panels but otherwise it is a good tarp and a fraction of the cost of a nice one.

[NormMessinger]

Too good of a boat to trust to a cheap covering....

But that said, Northern Tool Co. (google it) sells strong canvas tarps that are made from miss matched material. I have one that has red, blue and other colored panels but otherwise it is a good tarp and a fraction of the cost of a nice one.

[NormMessinger]

Too good of a boat to trust to a cheap covering....

But that said, Northern Tool Co. (google it) sells strong canvas tarps that are made from miss matched material. I have one that has red, blue and other colored panels but otherwise it is a good tarp and a fraction of the cost of a nice one.

[Ian McColgin]

Back to basic design: the simple ridge pole approach, even reinforced by lots of athwartships slats, will frequently collapse with water.

A little water puddles near the bottom kept on the cover by the gunnel. The weight pulls out a bit of slack making room for more water to puddle and so it goes. That's why the hooped approach is easier to make actually work.

[Ian McColgin]

Back to basic design: the simple ridge pole approach, even reinforced by lots of athwartships slats, will frequently collapse with water.

A little water puddles near the bottom kept on the cover by the gunnel. The weight pulls out a bit of slack making room for more water to puddle and so it goes. That's why the hooped approach is easier to make actually work.

[Ian McColgin]

Back to basic design: the simple ridge pole approach, even reinforced by lots of athwartships slats, will frequently collapse with water.

A little water puddles near the bottom kept on the cover by the gunnel. The weight pulls out a bit of slack making room for more water to puddle and so it goes. That's why the hooped approach is easier to make actually work.

[Bayboat]

For very good canvas cockpit and winter covers for a Haven: [URL=http://www.hardingsails.com,]E-mail sales@hardingsails.com. They made both for my Herreshoff 12.5 and they fit fine.

[ 07-13-2003, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[Bayboat]

For very good canvas cockpit and winter covers for a Haven: [URL=http://www.hardingsails.com,]E-mail sales@hardingsails.com. They made both for my Herreshoff 12.5 and they fit fine.

[ 07-13-2003, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[Bayboat]

For very good canvas cockpit and winter covers for a Haven: [URL=http://www.hardingsails.com,]E-mail sales@hardingsails.com. They made both for my Herreshoff 12.5 and they fit fine.

[ 07-13-2003, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: Bayboat ]

[Paul Scheuer]

Listen to Ian. Even with a good tarp, use plenty of athwartship supports. They don't have to be elaborate, just enough to support the tent without relying on the tiedown tension to maintain the slope. I use a set of 1x4s pairs, loosly tied together so that they form a hinge over the mast. This winter I had better luck with the "silver" plactic tarp. I may get two seasons out of it.

[Paul Scheuer]

Listen to Ian. Even with a good tarp, use plenty of athwartship supports. They don't have to be elaborate, just enough to support the tent without relying on the tiedown tension to maintain the slope. I use a set of 1x4s pairs, loosly tied together so that they form a hinge over the mast. This winter I had better luck with the "silver" plactic tarp. I may get two seasons out of it.

[Paul Scheuer]

Listen to Ian. Even with a good tarp, use plenty of athwartship supports. They don't have to be elaborate, just enough to support the tent without relying on the tiedown tension to maintain the slope. I use a set of 1x4s pairs, loosly tied together so that they form a hinge over the mast. This winter I had better luck with the "silver" plactic tarp. I may get two seasons out of it.