she doesn't like the Florida sun

[jensenflagg]

I bought a carvel planked CatsPaw dingy and stored it with a vinyl tarp cover supported by a PVC pipe frame. Summers starting,
I uncovered it to do some work and see that the planking covered by tarp has opened some and the breasthook split.
Thinking that the tarp is sealing in the heat; any thoughts on replacing it with a canvas tarp? Any suggestions welcomed.
I don't have a garage or carport. thanks.CatsPaw breasthook.pdf.jpgCatsPaw side.pdf.jpg

[wizbang 13]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

That breast hook has great joinery but chit engineering. Straight grain piece of junk.
boat prolly dont need it anyway
If the cover is "off" the boat and ventilated, it does not deserve being the scapegoat. Ventilated being the key word .
The top seam opening up is no big ting either, unless it takes a coup o frames with it.

[jensenflagg]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

I understand the grain issue with the breasthook; but the builder had her for a couple of years under a carport with no problem. I'll fix with epoxy. I'm thinking that you are right, ventilation is the issue, wondering if canvas is the answer. thanks for reply.

[Canoeyawl]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

Canvas is the best
A light reflective color...

[Garret]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

I understand the grain issue with the breasthook; but the builder had her for a couple of years under a carport with no problem. I'll fix with epoxy. I'm thinking that you are right, ventilation is the issue, wondering if canvas is the answer. thanks for reply.

You might want to wait a bit on that. Keep the boat in a cool, shaded location with some moisture & I bet that crack will close up some. If you fill that gap with epoxy now, it'll prevent any closing & keep it incorrect.

[jensenflagg]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

thanks, ordering white. Live and learn.

[jensenflagg]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

Really just meant I'd fix the breasthook with epoxy. And a couple of brass screws, one per side, I'm thinking. thanks for the advice.

[wizbang 13]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

If you sail the boat and she starts wracking side to side, a proper breast hook may be beneficial. It needs to be a grown knee, a laminated knee or a double sawn knee . Get a better bite on the inner thingy as well.

[nedL]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

Really just meant I'd fix the breasthook with epoxy. And a couple of brass screws, one per side, I'm thinking. thanks for the advice.

Again, you might want to wait on that. It likely may return to where it belongs as the moisture content of the wood increases again with the warm weather. Filling that split with epoxy will leave the wood no place to go.

[jensenflagg]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

Good thought. I'll be patient.

[Bob Cleek]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

If you're talking about a cloth cover, I'd say white Sunbrella is a better option than cotton canvas, which will rot in short order. Ventilation is the key, though. You'd be surprised how hot it can get under a colored cover and particularly a "blue plastic tarp." The blue tarps aren't exactly UV impervious, either. For some reason, it seems varnish still suffers under them, although they do help some.

[signalcharlie]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

Sunbrella is what we like.

[Bill Perkins]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

Some covers have vents .

[StevenBauer]

Re: she doesn't like the Florida sun

In the Florida sun the cover shouldn’t just have vents - it should be raised up from the boat a bit. Let air circulate all around the boat.