Boat winter storage - shrink wrap or tarp?

Always shrink wrapped and always thinks its a waste. I've always had boats made to live in saltwater and they need to be protected from some snow and rain? Think a good cleaning in the spring would get things back to normal, but I've never tried it. I'm sure you'll be okay with a very well secured tarp.

 

Like storing a car outside, a loose cover in the wind might be abrasive to the gel coat and aluminum trim. I would think you would want something between the tarp and the boat if it is not inside.

 

I would recommend using the tarp without the cover. You want to protect the boat from the elements, but you also want to make sure there is some airflow under the cover so that any moisture or condensation under the cover can escape, otherwise it will create mildew on the vinyl, or worse, rot to any wood. The advantage of a tarp is that it helps keep the elements out, however the disadvantage is that the tarp does not breathe, keeping any moisture inside. In my experience when they shrink wrap your boat they usually add vents to allow moisture/condensation to escape.