Boat Cover Ribs/Braces

[Dubed]

Just chamfered the ends

Yes, or I have some heavy foam I get from work. I just lay it over and wrap it on with electrical tape. Its all about quick and easy as winter is getting near!
Also make sure you dont use the windshield as a support! Ask me how I know.

 

[Lou C]

Yes, or I have some heavy foam I get from work. I just lay it over and wrap it on with electrical tape. Its all about quick and easy as winter is getting near!
Also make sure you dont use the windshield as a support! Ask me how I know.

Agreed that’s why I use PVC poles to support the ridge beams. You don’t want any weight at all on the windshield frame.

 

[LaqueRatt]

Sounds like a great opportunity for QFT. Mine was only six when he was my "shotgun" rider in a rental truck I was driving on a 500 mile relocation. Many memories!

QFT = Quality Fun Time? He's becoming a good first mate as we both learn how to live with a boat in the family. Lacking side bunks he mans the winch while Papa keeps the boat from getting too squirrelly.

I'll be flipping the smaller boat today with an 8' 2x handy just in case I have problems. Will let you all know how it goes. If you don't hear from me for awhile, it didn't go well! LOL Think I'll be OK, I just got a bit of a bum shoulder that I don't want to tweak again.

 

[mike_i]

"How do you keep the PVC from falling over or do you cinch the cover up so tight they can't move?" Yup, that's all you have to do.

Damn you guys are good! A couple quick questions. Aren't the corners of 2x4s tough on the cover in the wind? How do you keep the PVC from falling over or do you cinch the cover up so tight they can't move?

Any thoughts on equally easy methods of flipping a 14' 175 lb boat upside down without screwing myself up.......again?! I got trees, but not overhead, 2x4s, logs, a come-along, a block and tackle, and a pickup truck. I can just see that boat skitching around the yard once on the ground instead of flipping over how I'd like it to. Sadly no boys in my family and my grandson is strong, but he's only 7. All my friends are either in crappy shape or dead. My "cool" neighbor moved away.

 

[Willyclay]

QFT = Quality Fun Time?

Close enough. Quality Family Time in my old geezer brain!

 

[LaqueRatt]

Ended up using a combination of roscoe's neighbor and dingbat's ideas for the Mirro. It'll do for now.

Flipping the AlumaCraft took me about 10 minutes. Why the flip was I so flipping worried about flipping that flipping boat?!

 

[JASinIL2006]

That’s how we store our 14’ boat at our lake cabin in Ontario. It doesn’t matter how much snow and ice you get, it’ll be safe that way.

 

[JimS123]

OK, cool. At least now I know what stuff is called. What's good to cut the bows out of? I suppose plywood could work, but strips of pine might be better? I can rip them to size. Is there a standard size? I'll look here on iboats and see what they got.

How many do you guys think I need? 3 maybe?

Been doing this for years. Bought ash bows at first, but then got rid of them. Wood is no good. Not long lasting. Last time I bought a set of aluminum bows, cut them to size and they are awesome.

Buy cast metal brackets, not the nylon ones. For a 14 ft boat without a front deck, I would use 4 bows. Or use 3 and hope for the best.

Eons ago I used to flip the boat for Winter, but not worth the hassle. Use enough bows and the cover will work for many years to come.

 

[LaqueRatt]

Thanks Jim. I'll get the heavier brackets, but may cheap out and go with wood bows since I should be able to make them easily and pretty much for free. If my efforts fail, then I'll seek out something sturdier. A few years, actually more than a few years ago, I had a shortbed Chevy with a soft tonneau cover held up with wood slats and brackets much like you guys are talking about. It held up pretty well, even with a flimsy plywood slat I made when I bought it to replace a missing one. Think if the wood stays dry it should last at least a few years.

 

[JimS123]

Thanks Jim. I'll get the heavier brackets, but may cheap out and go with wood bows since I should be able to make them easily and pretty much for free. If my efforts fail, then I'll seek out something sturdier. A few years, actually more than a few years ago, I had a shortbed Chevy with a soft tonneau cover held up with wood slats and brackets much like you guys are talking about. It held up pretty well, even with a flimsy plywood slat I made when I bought it to replace a missing one. Think if the wood stays dry it should last at least a few years.

Bows have to have some "spring" to it. That's why a specific type of hardwood is used. If you decide to use plywood you better steam them well when you install them, just to get them to bend without cracking. They need to have a steep rise so the snow will slide off. That means they need to have good flexibility. You might get them to last thru a winter, but once you take them out they might not work a second time.

Fiberglass are the most expensive. Although they work very well, they just might be overkill.

If you buy aluminum ones from a marina they will cost somewhere in the middle. For the size you will need you would have to buy a full sheet of plywood. Wait till you see what that costs.

I buy my aluminum bows in a hardware store. Anything that does not say "marine" on it is going to be significantly cheaper.

 

[LaqueRatt]

OK, I get it Jim, but why do I have this feeling that if I go into the local hdw they'll look at me like I'm nuts if I ask for aluminum bows? Is there another name for them? I know the local hardwares pretty well, but don't recall seeing much of any kind of aluminum stock.

 

[Lou C]

I forgot how much I paid for the fiberglass bows but they basically last forever. I guess seeing as how it was 15 years ago, probably 3x what I paid, lol!
I like to buy good quality and once, if possible. The Taylor Made custom cover is also 15 years old, still looks good.

 

[JimS123]

OK, I get it Jim, but why do I have this feeling that if I go into the local hdw they'll look at me like I'm nuts if I ask for aluminum bows? Is there another name for them? I know the local hardwares pretty well, but don't recall seeing much of any kind of aluminum stock.

I understand what you are saying. The term "boats" or "bows" are likely foreign to a clerk. My local hardware hired a new kid and he's in the paint department. When I asked for alkyd enamel he thought I was using a bad word.

You want aluminum flat stock. The ones I currently have are 1 5/8" x 3/16", but I imagine 1/8" stock would work OK too. Buy the sockets first and match the bows to fit. Measure the beam at the spots you use and you'll need 6-12" longer to get a good rise. If your store doesn't carry the longer lengths you can over lap 2 a few inches and bolt them together. Duct tape the top seam to protect the canvas.

 

[Willyclay]

When I asked for alkyd enamel he thought I was using a bad word.

My favorite is asking the "kids" at auto parts stores for Packard 440 solid-core, copper, spark-plug wire.