Re: Winter Cover Frame for a Small Bowrider - Any Ideas?
Hi all,
I?m thinking about building a frame (pvc, wood, something else?) to put on my boat to support a winter cover. The boat is a 1999 Sea Ray 180 bowrider with an outboard. I just purchased it this spring, so this will be my first winter with the boat. Previous owner used a canvas garage.
I?d like to hear from anyone who?s done something similar before. How/where did you attach to the boat? What did you use for the cover? Pictures would be great!
My reasons for doing this are to keep snow, rain, debris, small animals out of the boat. I have cockpit and bow covers, but I doubt they?ll be able to support much snow.Thanks,
Scott
You are exactly correct. Do NOT rely on cockpit covers if you get snow. The snow load will tear the snaps right out of the canvas or it will sag the canvas and allow water and ice to pool and build up. Letting snow build up on these covers is a great way to end up with a big canvas repair bill AND a huge mess inside your boat that causes other damage.
I store all my aluminum fishing boats outside in the winter. What I do is build a a simple frame using 2X4 and 2X6 lumber and then use a heavy duty tarp.
I start by putting together at least 2 supports by screwing together a base using a 2-3 foot length of 2X6 and then the upright piece is a 2X4. The pieces look like an inverted T.
The I run a continious length of 2X4 between one upright positioned in the bow and one in the stern. On my 16 foot boats, this means having a continious run of over 16 feet, so I sister the 2X4s together with gusset plates made of plywood.
Now round off any sharp corners using a belt sander. Anything sharp that touches a tarp will eventually cause it to tear.
Then firmly stetch a tarp over the frame and secure it with bungees to the trailer. The tarp should be taunt, but not overtight or it will tear easily in the wind. Some trial and error is required, so save the tarp packaging so you can return it if you buy the wrong size. And once you get the right size, write it down! Tarps need to be replaced every 3 or so years if you by a heavy duty one. Light duty ones will be lucky to last one winter.
The key is to consider how much peak height you need and size your uprights accordingly. You want snow and water to easily slide or run ALL THE WAY off the boat and not pool up at the rail which will collapse the tarp eventually. Most people underestimate the height needed.
I'm in Minnesota so snow load is THE issue. On my 16 foot boats, peak height has to be at least 4 feet from the hull so that there is enough pitch for snow to slide overboard as it falls instead of building up. This arrangement looks a little odd, it looks like an army is camped in my back yard, but it is VERY effecive and durable. It's also cheap and reusable.
Word of caution on DIY shrink wrapping. Be very, very carful and understand there is a significant danger of fire unless you do it properly and follow all safety precautions. I would not even CONSIDER attempting this without a large fire extinguisher readily accessible. 3 years ago a DIY shrink wrapper incinerated a dozen boats in a local marina and damaged many others. In many cases you are shrink wrapping what amounts to a giant fuel tank and for many it's a giant FULL fuel tank. Fire = a very bad situation.
Grouse