Winter Cover/Frame?

GP-TJ · 10-27-2007, 11:30 AM

Anyone got any good ideas to cover my boat this winter? I used to have a custom cover for it that went over a wood frame that I threw together. I then used a "giant ball of rope"

to tie the frame to the cleats/rails. The cover worked great.

I now have a t-top on the boat and the cover doesn't fit anymore. My brother-in-law has a shrink kit but he said I would have to buy a roll of plastic to do it. I found prices around $250 to $600 for the roll. The roll will do the boat about 5 times but that's still a lot of money.

I'm thinking to build a frame and use a tarp. Anyone do this and have pictures of it. I have never done it on a boat with a t-top. We used to do it with an old boat (runabout types and bow riders). How about using PVC pipe instead of wood for the frame?

Thanks
GP

ChuckA · 10-27-2007, 01:36 PM

George the tarp will work ok as long as you put something to hold it from sagging .When they shink wrap a boat the have a nylon flat banding material that is used to make up a support frame .Just like the stuff they use to band boxes together .Run 1 or 2 straps from bow to stern then from side to side in a few locations then cover with the tarp.I think home depot carries the banding stuff.The link below shows the stuff I'm talking about .If you have a buddy that works on a loading dock the stuff is free

http://www.strapping-products.com/ez-strapping.htm

Bryan A. · 10-27-2007, 02:05 PM

No t-top but this is what I used on my old boat for almost 10 years with the same tarp. Now I have a pilot house and will be building a similar frame this winter.

striperchaser · 10-27-2007, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GP-TJ

Anyone got any good ideas to cover my boat this winter? I used to have a custom cover for it that went over a wood frame that I threw together. I then used a "giant ball of rope"

to tie the frame to the cleats/rails. The cover worked great.

I now have a t-top on the boat and the cover doesn't fit anymore. My brother-in-law has a shrink kit but he said I would have to buy a roll of plastic to do it. I found prices around $250 to $600 for the roll. The roll will do the boat about 5 times but that's still a lot of money.

I'm thinking to build a frame and use a tarp. Anyone do this and have pictures of it. I have never done it on a boat with a t-top. We used to do it with an old boat (runabout types and bow riders). How about using PVC pipe instead of wood for the frame?

Thanks
GP

GP_TJ
I still think for 50 to 60 dollars to cover your boat a season is pretty cheap and I think it protects your boat better then a tarp. I would also use those easy straps also. If you were to use pvc and a tarp, your start up cost would be about the same with all of the joints and stuff you would need.

HENRY
I got the estimate of 50 to 60 dollars by taking the 250 dollars and divided it by the 5 times you said it would do your boat, and the cost of the easy straps Chuck is talking about!

Bob & Mag · 10-27-2007, 04:47 PM

How long is your boat? Going rate here for shrink wrap job is $9./ft.
A 20'er would only cost $180.
Tarp is cheaper by far and many ways to deal with T-Top...
Ridge pole as in photos above, but I used dock lines instead of wood fro rafters.
T-top and one 2x4 at each end for support and then drape tarp over top in a-frame fashion. Lace up grommets on ends fore/aft. You can get very large tarps at Ocean State Job lot store real cheap. I also ran lines off t-top to all cleats for added support though if you make it steep enough the snow will shed. The trick is to keep it from piling up and making the tarp sag, so the steeper the better.
That said I had mine shrink wrapped last year by Bill (Bill's boat repair) he came to the house and it was very reasonable. Bought a door and vents also but those can be reused. One thing I'd mention about shrink wrap is if you plan on doing any wiring on the boat while the cover is on, DON'T get blue as all the red wires will look black under it ARRRRRRGH had to use a lantern inside cc so I could find hot vs grnd wires, even to hook up battery charger.

GP-TJ · 10-27-2007, 07:34 PM

I really like that frame that Bryan has there. I was thinking I had to make it the same shape the entire length of the boat. It looks like the A-frames are not the same the entire length. With the t-top I thought I was going to be building a huge structure. I think I could run a ridge above my rocket launchers and then taper down slightly toward the bow and stern. I could probably put 4 A-frames. One at each end of the T-top and one at the stern and one at the bow. The 2 at the t-top would run to the gunnel from the corner of the top. The other 2 would simply run from the ridge. I could then run either rope (a big ball of rope) or some of that strapping for some extra support. Then a nice tarp. I think it would be better for me in the long run to do the tarp and support. I don't think it will cost as much as the roll of shrink and hope to use it for longer.

Any other pictures or ideas.
GP

Bob & Mag · 10-27-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

I don't think it will cost as much as the roll of shrink and hope to use it for longer.

that's for sure. Lumber/tarp(use your dock lines too) will definately be less expensive than shrink-wrap. Get the heavy green tarp and they'll last longer than a season. The light weight blue tarps make a year at best, if windy where you are.
Make sure tarp isn't flapping in the wind against your hull or it'll scrape the gelcoat right off. I put a big beach towel over motor cowling and keep it there with duct tape before running the tarp over it. Also I found running a single band of duct tape around the entire hull below the rub rail keeps the tarps down tight without flapping in the wind. One other thing is to cover all metal fixtures such as cleats, rocket launchers, antenna mounts, etc with small towel and they won't puncture the tarp. It's a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnng winter.

Bryan A. · 10-28-2007, 07:42 AM

Good tips from Bob.

It is hard to tell from my pictures but If you look at the way the A-frames are attaced to the boat they rest right on the cleats and are secured with line.

As was said before the Green tarp from Job lot is the way to go and get a few rolls of their clothes line, I think the are like 3.99 for 150 ft. I made my frames and ridge board assemble with carriage bolts so the whole thing could be stored in my garage attic and also used some old carpeting on the ware points of the frame. I had a 20x30 blue tarp on it for about 9 years and in the winter I would put a smaller green tarp with the black side up during the snow months. The advantage over shrink wrap is you don't throw it away every year and I think it breathes better for the boat. It is also alot cheaper over the long run. Plus you can work on it easier over the winter on nice days for a nice early spring launch.

That last picture is from one of those spring snows after the big blue tarp was removed.

Bryan A. · 10-28-2007, 07:53 AM

More pictures.

Bob & Mag · 10-28-2007, 09:01 AM

Good pictures Bryan. Their worth a thousand words.

10-27-2007, 11:30 AM	#1
GP-TJ NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 201	Winter Cover/Frame? Anyone got any good ideas to cover my boat this winter? I used to have a custom cover for it that went over a wood frame that I threw together. I then used a "giant ball of rope" to tie the frame to the cleats/rails. The cover worked great. I now have a t-top on the boat and the cover doesn't fit anymore. My brother-in-law has a shrink kit but he said I would have to buy a roll of plastic to do it. I found prices around $250 to $600 for the roll. The roll will do the boat about 5 times but that's still a lot of money. I'm thinking to build a frame and use a tarp. Anyone do this and have pictures of it. I have never done it on a boat with a t-top. We used to do it with an old boat (runabout types and bow riders). How about using PVC pipe instead of wood for the frame? Thanks GP

10-27-2007, 02:05 PM	#3
Bryan A. NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westbrook CT Posts: 1,269	No t-top but this is what I used on my old boat for almost 10 years with the same tarp. Now I have a pilot house and will be building a similar frame this winter. __________________ And the sea will grant each man new hope..............Christopher Columbus 2003 Parker 2530 "DORYMATE".......click the pic 1973 Seacraft 20SF 1970 Glastron V153 70hp EvinrudeFOR SALE

10-27-2007, 04:47 PM	#5
Bob & Mag User Gallery Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Clinton, CT Posts: 2,679	How long is your boat? Going rate here for shrink wrap job is $9./ft. A 20'er would only cost $180. Tarp is cheaper by far and many ways to deal with T-Top... Ridge pole as in photos above, but I used dock lines instead of wood fro rafters. T-top and one 2x4 at each end for support and then drape tarp over top in a-frame fashion. Lace up grommets on ends fore/aft. You can get very large tarps at Ocean State Job lot store real cheap. I also ran lines off t-top to all cleats for added support though if you make it steep enough the snow will shed. The trick is to keep it from piling up and making the tarp sag, so the steeper the better. That said I had mine shrink wrapped last year by Bill (Bill's boat repair) he came to the house and it was very reasonable. Bought a door and vents also but those can be reused. One thing I'd mention about shrink wrap is if you plan on doing any wiring on the boat while the cover is on, DON'T get blue as all the red wires will look black under it ARRRRRRGH had to use a lantern inside cc so I could find hot vs grnd wires, even to hook up battery charger. __________________ Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of food, electricity, gas, and oil, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off. Smoke free 4 Months!

10-28-2007, 07:42 AM	#8
Bryan A. NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westbrook CT Posts: 1,269	Good tips from Bob. It is hard to tell from my pictures but If you look at the way the A-frames are attaced to the boat they rest right on the cleats and are secured with line. As was said before the Green tarp from Job lot is the way to go and get a few rolls of their clothes line, I think the are like 3.99 for 150 ft. I made my frames and ridge board assemble with carriage bolts so the whole thing could be stored in my garage attic and also used some old carpeting on the ware points of the frame. I had a 20x30 blue tarp on it for about 9 years and in the winter I would put a smaller green tarp with the black side up during the snow months. The advantage over shrink wrap is you don't throw it away every year and I think it breathes better for the boat. It is also alot cheaper over the long run. Plus you can work on it easier over the winter on nice days for a nice early spring launch. That last picture is from one of those spring snows after the big blue tarp was removed. __________________ And the sea will grant each man new hope..............Christopher Columbus 2003 Parker 2530 "DORYMATE".......click the pic 1973 Seacraft 20SF 1970 Glastron V153 70hp EvinrudeFOR SALE

10-28-2007, 07:53 AM	#9
Bryan A. NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Westbrook CT Posts: 1,269	More pictures. __________________ And the sea will grant each man new hope..............Christopher Columbus 2003 Parker 2530 "DORYMATE".......click the pic 1973 Seacraft 20SF 1970 Glastron V153 70hp EvinrudeFOR SALE

10-27-2007, 01:36 PM	#2
ChuckA User Gallery Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Madison Ct Posts: 2,150	George the tarp will work ok as long as you put something to hold it from sagging .When they shink wrap a boat the have a nylon flat banding material that is used to make up a support frame .Just like the stuff they use to band boxes together .Run 1 or 2 straps from bow to stern then from side to side in a few locations then cover with the tarp.I think home depot carries the banding stuff.The link below shows the stuff I'm talking about .If you have a buddy that works on a loading dock the stuff is free http://www.strapping-products.com/ez-strapping.htm

10-27-2007, 07:34 PM	#6
GP-TJ NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 201	I really like that frame that Bryan has there. I was thinking I had to make it the same shape the entire length of the boat. It looks like the A-frames are not the same the entire length. With the t-top I thought I was going to be building a huge structure. I think I could run a ridge above my rocket launchers and then taper down slightly toward the bow and stern. I could probably put 4 A-frames. One at each end of the T-top and one at the stern and one at the bow. The 2 at the t-top would run to the gunnel from the corner of the top. The other 2 would simply run from the ridge. I could then run either rope (a big ball of rope) or some of that strapping for some extra support. Then a nice tarp. I think it would be better for me in the long run to do the tarp and support. I don't think it will cost as much as the roll of shrink and hope to use it for longer. Any other pictures or ideas. GP

10-28-2007, 09:01 AM	#10
Bob & Mag User Gallery Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Clinton, CT Posts: 2,679	Good pictures Bryan. Their worth a thousand words. __________________ Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of food, electricity, gas, and oil, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off. Smoke free 4 Months!

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