Obviously the crew had absolutely no talent for affixing two tarps over a 47' x 14' boat - especially in freezing rain. Then we were graced with a wind storm overnight. I was not surprised to receive a call about 16 hours after leaving the tarp-wrapped boat indicating that not only had the tarp been ripped off, but half of it was draped on top of the boat next to Livin' Nauti'. Luckily, the tarp that we had affixed over the bridge was intact. The large tarp was pretty much not going to work as it caught too much wind and could not be affixed in a manner that would keep it from ripping. I called Carver the next day and ordered a bridge canvas.

There are two lessons to be learned: First, put your winter covering (tarp or shrink-wrapping) on during November when it is still warm instead of keeping the boat available for the December Boat Parade. For the amount of money it will cost to outfit your boat with good decorations, you can have it shrink-wrapped. Second, pay somebody to shrink-wrap your boat. Unless your time is not worth anything and you are willing to spend a LOT of time trying to fit and grommet a square tarp over a very non-square object.