Winter storage - removing tramp and cover hulls

Is there a recommended way to store a Hobie 16 for winter? I am in the midwest (southern IL). I have to store outdoors.
I have heard it is wise to remove the tramp to keep snow from building up.
What about covering the hulls - is that really necessary?
Thanks,
Ron

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~ Ron

Your boat's worst enemy is sunlight. A close second is moisture - especially persistent moisture and freeze/thaw cycles - like snow piled up on the deck of your boat.

Removing the tramp solves the snow weight / moisture / sunlight problem for it.

Covering the hulls will keep the UV rays from turning your gel coat to chalk and separate the snow/ice from the hulls.

Your boat will last a lot longer if you cover the hulls.

The first year I had my boat I made the mistake of wrapping the hull up pretty tightly in tarps. It probably retained more moisture than it repelled. I now leave my tramp on, take the mast off the boat and hang it on the side of the garage under the eves and put a 10 X 16 tarp over the hulls and tramp. I put a 2 X 4 under the tarp between the crossbeams and bungee cords under the boat from each grommet on the tarp. Last year I was feeling extra cheap and used some old bicycle innertubes to lace under the hulls in place of the bungees. It worked great. The tarp will only last one season though as the sun really takes it's toll. I do sweep off the snow if it gets more than about 6 inches deep. Make sure and keep the drain holes open to let it breath and get the moisture out. Works great and costs a tarp and bungees each year.

I bought from Costco one of those portable single car fabric garages. Goes up easy and lasts for years, keeps the boat out of the sun and the elements. I only paid $179.00 for mine on sail.

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06 getaway -- always remember, man with both feet in mouth have no leg to stand on.

Sounds good. Does the 2 x 4 extend the length of the boat to keep the tarp up? How do you keep the weight of the snow from collapsing the tarp? Thanks

_________________
~ Ron

The 2 X 4 just extends accross the tramp. After I put some tension on the tarp with the bungees, I could see that the ends of the board were going to punch through tarp so I stapled some cardboard on the ends to spread out the forces. It worked great. I never worried much about the snow, except when it gets over 6 inches, then I just sweep it off with a pushbroom. It usually melts in a day or so anyway. Besides, it's a uniform weight and shouldn't be a problem. Point loads are the ones to avoid. Any other help, just let me know. Thanks,