Carver Owners Forum

I'm starting to plan to winterize my Carver 355 for the winter. Has anyone got a good way to close off the vents into the engine compartment? One year I stuffed them from the outside with foam rubber, but that was a pain. Last year I made covers out of marine vinyl with an additional thin layer of insulation, but the old snaps are worn out and it didn't seal well. I am thinking of making a wooden cover, putting a layer of foam inside and snapping it into place with spring clamps like this: https://www.acehardware.com/departments ... gKcXvD_BwE
Anyone done anything like this? Got a better idea?

Normally the boats up here just cover them up with some shrink wrap tape. I have a roll that is 6 inch wide which I also use on all the thru hull openings. I assume you are doing this to keep critters out? https://www.ebay.com/itm/White-Marine-S ... 2853383560

No one here in NY covers the vents except with the shrink wrap that's on the boat?

I'm on the Tennessee River. Temperature will only drop below freezing occasionally. The boat stays in the water all winter, so I'm trying to keep the cold air out.

I'm thinking this is to keep the cold out over the winter?

Typing at the same time

If shrink wrap will keep the cold out, that sure sounds easy.

We tape or cover them to keep the birds out in the spring up north.

I'm also on tn river on my 405 which has the same type vents as your 355. I made snap on covers that sound alot like yours that you made that matches the vents. I just used sunbrella and a layer of foam sandwiched in the middle and snap them on. Doesnt need to be air tight. Worked for 5 winters with no problems. My bilge heaters keep it warm and the covers work fine. Why dont you like what you have?

My 360 SS had covers made that snapped over the vents. Same as above, sunbrella with thin foam inside. I cut eggshell that fit the vents, snapped the covers on, Turned on the heaters and Made it through the last 4 winters that I had her here on the Cumberland just north of Nashville.