Tarp Recommendation

I've reviewed the posts re. winter storage, but have two questions:

1. Has anyone used the white poly boat tarps sold by either "Tarps Plus" or "Tarp-a-Flex"? They are UV resistant, water repellent, flexible in cold temps, etc. They look to be of better quality than the ugly blue things you buy at a hardware store. Am I right?

2. I'm having a heckuva time getting my plugs out of the pontoons. They seem frozen in. I've never taken them out since getting the boat 6 months ago. I'm afraid of breaking them off and leaving the threaded part inside. Any suggestions?

Thanks. - Patrick[/url]

(1) I store my H16 in one of those portable 10'X20' pavillions with sides and ends. Front of hulls as high as I can get them with plugs out. Mast is strapped to ceiling in garage.

(2) I'd try some WD-40 (I use it on MANY MANY things). WD-40 is basically perfumed fish oil so it shouldn't hurt anything.

_________________
1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

If your plugs are this solid, it is time to replace the sealant around the housing anyway. Take the whole housing out, take out the plugs, drain the boat, dry the holes, silicone seal the housing and replace the plug and o-ring seals. Now you are set.

Sounds retarded. Did you try tightening them, then loosening? Works on some stuff, can't say I've tried with drainplugs.

I had to do that with my drainplugs, tighten them an then loosen them. It worked.

_________________
Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Are you remembering "righty tighty, lefty loosey"? If you can get them out, put a little silicone lubricant on them.

_________________
Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

After getting the plugs out, make sure there's NO sand on the threads. Then, spray some McLube on the threads. This will help the plug come out more easily next time.

_________________
Trey Brown
www.velocitysailing.com
2006 N20 1017
1998 H16 102698
www.sunjammers.com ftw!

Not really. 50% Aliphatic Hydrocarbon, 25% Petroleum Base Oil, 18% LVP Aliphatic Hydrocarbon + some other stuff.

100% fish and perfume free!

I have a write up on that somewhere in a Power Stroke magazine. I'll have to find it and check it out again. It was a whole interesting history on it like it was invented around 1953 by the San Diego Rocket company for their Atlas rockets, the "WD" standing for water diplacement and "40" standing to 40th formula, etc. I swear I remember them saying it was mainly fish oil.

_________________
1981 H16.
1993 Macgregor 26S

I would not recommend leaving the plugs out. I had some mice discover the opening, use it, chew on it, destroying the threads, then deciding it was a good cemetery, el stinko! Repalcing the socket and plug is no big deal though, Murray's has 'em.
I leave plenty of lethal mouse food all around and on the boat during winter storage now.
As for the tarps. the Blue ones are the cheapest and thinnest. Go for the silver ones or white/silver. Good sources on the net to get just the right size, and they will tell you about different thread counts etc.
I'm in snow country and my tarps last about three seasons. I'd love to have a shed big enough to park it in but until then I just use the mast as a tent ridge and drape the tarp and bungee it down, foam cushioning the sharp spots so I don't puncture the tarp. I do have to take the snow off it, no big deal.