Easy boat cover/tarp/tent

[robnecciai]

I have a 19'6" Tahoe q5 bowrider. I mainly boat on a lake in NC almost every weekend during the season. The boat remains docked in the slip during the week. To help keep it in good shape, I cover the boat with the factory canvas cover (ratcheting type) at the end of every weekend. However, putting the cover on, dealing with the poles, etc., is a pain. Some of my neighbors simply leave their boats uncovered for the entire season. Since the boat is new (2014) and since I'm fairly particular about such things, I just don't feel comfortable doing that.

I'm thinking about a simple alternative to the canvas. I was thinking about altering a much oversized boat cover (from Walmart) so that it would "drape" over the boat. The cover is cheap, lightweight, water resistant, and breathable. To get the high point for the "tent", I could use the Bimini top (opened). Hopefully, I can find something wide enough to that it comes down far enough on each side so that the edges go past the gunnel.

To provide the necessary pull (to prevent pooling, bunching, etc.), I could install weights (small sandbag cylinders, something stainless steel, etc) within the edge seam. To hold the whole thing in place, I can install hooks/latching at 4 strategic points that would allow the tent/cover to be secured to the Bimini top. Essentially, a big tarp that drapes over the boat.

So, has anybody done anything like this? Any alternatives or suggestions?

 

[alldodge]

I have a 19'6" Tahoe q5 bowrider. I mainly boat on a lake in NC almost every weekend during the season. The boat remains docked in the slip during the week. To help keep it in good shape, I cover the boat with the factory canvas cover (ratcheting type) at the end of every weekend. However, putting the cover on, dealing with the poles, etc., is a pain. Some of my neighbors simply leave their boats uncovered for the entire season. Since the boat is new (2014) and since I'm fairly particular about such things, I just don't feel comfortable doing that.

I'm thinking about a simple alternative to the canvas. I was thinking about altering a much oversized boat cover (from Walmart) so that it would "drape" over the boat. The cover is cheap, lightweight, water resistant, and breathable. To get the high point for the "tent", I could use the Bimini top (opened). Hopefully, I can find something wide enough to that it comes down far enough on each side so that the edges go past the gunnel.

To provide the necessary pull (to prevent pooling, bunching, etc.), I could install weights (small sandbag cylinders, something stainless steel, etc) within the edge seam. To hold the whole thing in place, I can install hooks/latching at 4 strategic points that would allow the tent/cover to be secured to the Bimini top. Essentially, a big tarp that drapes over the boat.

So, has anybody done anything like this? Any alternatives or suggestions?

Either way what your wanting to do will be a pain. For weights I would suggest milk jugs with water in them. The jugs could be filled to just the weight you need. Keep them capped so mosquitoes will not grow.

Don't know if your dock will allow it but what about building a Bimini for your dock, similar to the one for the boat? Could also use some pvc pipe to make an arch. Now if it is allowed and your willing to spend some more coin, you could get one of the canopy's listed below, or similar
http://www.iboats.com/Porta-Dock-Boat-Lift-Canopy-Covers/dm/view_id.258646

 

[JimS123]

I have several friends that live on a small lake in NC, so I'm familiar with the area. All of them have constructed boathouses, including lifts to get their boats out of the water. No covers to bother about, perfect for year-round storage and their boats last forever. In one case my buddy has a late 1950's wood Chris Craft cabin cruiser and it looks to be in showroom condition.

 

[airshot]

The makeshift boathouse would be a much better idea, wrestling with a cover can be a real pain in the a$$. Find someone in your area that makes truck tarps for semi's as this material is super strong and not that expensive. They should be able to build a tent for you to cover your boat and you will just need to create the frame. I have had a couple items created for me by a local truck tarp company and the price was quite fair when compared to the cost of a "boat" cover and the material is much stronger and more resistant to weather and wind than any boat cover on the market. The material is somewhat heavy so it will not be something you want to put up and take down each weekend only up and down for the season.

 

[robnecciai]

Either way what your wanting to do will be a pain. For weights I would suggest milk jugs with water in them. The jugs could be filled to just the weight you need. Keep them capped so mosquitoes will not grow.

Don't know if your dock will allow it but what about building a Bimini for your dock, similar to the one for the boat? Could also use some pvc pipe to make an arch. Now if it is allowed and your willing to spend some more coin, you could get one of the canopy's listed below, or similar
http://www.iboats.com/Porta-Dock-Boat-Lift-Canopy-Covers/dm/view_id.258646

I'd love to do something like this but, the dock is shared by 12 home owners - 6 slips, double wide - so, structurally, I don't think I can make it work. Besides, I'd have to deal with the homeowners association.

 

[robnecciai]

I have several friends that live on a small lake in NC, so I'm familiar with the area. All of them have constructed boathouses, including lifts to get their boats out of the water. No covers to bother about, perfect for year-round storage and their boats last forever. In one case my buddy has a late 1950's wood Chris Craft cabin cruiser and it looks to be in showroom condition.

I would definitely go the boathouse route (and lift). Unfortunately, our property (and dock) is shared by 11 other home owners. However, one of my neighbors did install a boat lift. The dock is a long, multi-slip aluminum dock. Not sure if or how any type of structure could be attached.

 

[JimS123]

I would definitely go the boathouse route (and lift). Unfortunately, our property (and dock) is shared by 11 other home owners. However, one of my neighbors did install a boat lift. The dock is a long, multi-slip aluminum dock. Not sure if or how any type of structure could be attached.

An aluminum free standing lift is what you need. It rests on the lake bottom and has no attachment to the dock. They come optionally with a full size canopy top, but that just protects it from the rain. You still need a boat cover to keep the UV from ruining the upholstery. They can be fitted with a walk-around so putting the cover on is easy.

Although I was offered a relocation to my buddy's lake I opted to quit my job to be able to stay up north. I have a buddy up here that has an aluminum dock and because of the heavy ice cover in winter he pulls his free standing lifts out. He has 4 of them and each has big tires so the just roll along the bottom, and come out with a block and tackle.

Years ago I recall "Shore Station" as one of the manufacturers. but I haven't googled it lately.