Remove Tramp for the winter

[whalerman]

Western New York winters are nasty! So I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to take the tramp off now and store it in the garage. Any opinions out there?

[Matt Haberman]

Probably a good idea. Snow load can be pretty heavy and could potentially damage the tramps, hulls or beams if allowed to build up on the tramp. Not to mention the effect the sun can have on things. The UV is pretty strong in the winter and would also be hard on the tramp.

[captinnitro]

I was thinking of shrink wrapping my cat with 9 or 10 mil.

http://www.bigshrink.com/shopdisplaypro ... ap:+10+mil

then tarp over the mast (like a tent) to prevent snow build up. What do you guys think?

[jjd78]

Only problem with the "tent" idea is, any weight on the tarp could bend the mast.....

[Matt Haberman]

I would agree that the weight on the tarp could be a problem. In our part of the country the snow would probably stick to the tarp, leaving a pretty heaving snow load on the mast.

We commonly shrink wrap the hulls, beams & mast of the boats to protect them from the elements, but we don't make a tent over the mast or tramp area to prevent snow build-up.

[captinnitro]

So what do you guys think about just lay the mast down flat , building a cradle for support it every 16 inches or so. And shrink wrapping everything else. Or I can even lay the mast under the cat.