Another overhaul aggravation... tarp failure

hp18carr · Post by **hp18carr** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 5:11 am

They don't make tarps like they did back in the day. This was the thickest one I could find at lowes. One summer of NC heat and humidity along with a little wind and rain and what you have is total tarp failure. Not to sound naive, but is this another one of those on running cost of land sailing... buying tarp after tarp?

Terrence
Wilmington N.C.
Chrysler 26 1980
Pandora (for now)

Mario G · Post by **Mario G** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 6:13 am

Terrance its not the tarp its your C-26 is telling you it doesn't want to be covered anymore

You could look at an Army surplus store for a canvus tent that would last for a decade or more.

Capt. Bondo · Post by **Capt. Bondo** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 6:22 am

I have found that a tarp needs to be secured completely as possible. So the wind can't cause it to flap and start to chafe, pull and rip. To big of tarp that can't be secured will flap for sure. Look how truckers tie down their tarps, nothing loose to let the wind get a hold of.
Also tie down your tarp with ropes not bungies.

Here how I secured my tarp/boat last winter, with no issues.
http://s929.photobucket.com/albums/ad13 ... G_0423.jpg
http://s929.photobucket.com/albums/ad13 ... 0422sm.jpg

hp18carr · Post by **hp18carr** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 7:30 am

Thanks all for the bits of information; I'll check out the local Army surplus this week and buy more ropes. Mario you just maybe right... this old Chrysler might scene that someone is working on trying to get her back where she belongs... the open water.

Terrence
Wilmington N.C.
Chrysler 26 1980
Pandora (for now)

Holiday · Post by **Holiday** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 7:45 am

I had the same problem the woven polypro tarps only last 4 to 6 months and they leak like a sieve. I finally broke down and bought a heavy PVC coated tarp at Northern Tool. There is no comparison. This tarp will probably last through several more boat projects.

tgentry · Post by **tgentry** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 11:21 am

My cheapo Harbor Freight tarp lasted the winter on my "connestoga" frame over the boat. I figure at 1/4 the price of similar size tarps at Lowes and Home Depot, one season is enough.

thepartydog · Post by **thepartydog** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 10:06 pm

I've used a cheap walmart plastic sheet with great success. The trick is all in how you tie it down. The mast is not currently on the boat, meaning that the boat is not in its' towing configuration, so I only cover up the deck house. (The windows leak, especially the ones that I haven't put back in yet.) I let the decks, chain locker, and cockpit drain on their own. What worked best for me was using a 4x4 on the bow deck to hold down the front of the tarp. I used line to web from front to back, and secured the tarp in the back using the winches as posts. I also had to add some weighted object amidships under the line web. This gave me a nice tight tarp, no place for the wind to pick it up.

BTW Since this knowledge cost me 3 tarps to lean, everyone who reads this should send me at least 1/4 of a tarp.