How do you guys cover your boat for winter?

[NoBones]

I prefer the Man Cave wrap!

In & out in 20 seconds..

[FishStretcher]

I use a tarp, but lay planks from the center console out to the gunwales of the master angler to shed and/or support snow. Not as maintenance free as the ridgepole designs once you get snowmelt, as it can collect. I worry about the point loading of some designs on the cap/gunwale.

I am considering skinning some pink styrofoam panels with glass to make sandwich cores as a light hard shell, over which I put a tarp. But haven't tried that yet.

[dcobbett]

marcOO,

I've gone through a variety of wood frames and have used a PVC pipe one for the last few years. Sets up and breaks apart easily, materials are cheap and durable and the tarp slides on and off the frame without a hitch. Attached .jpegs are from 2 different versions and one of them is attached to just show the base plates I use for the verticals in the boat. The forward one is duct taped to the trailer and the aft one is set into a small hole that I dig. What isn't shown is a cob web type arrangement of small diameter rope that I set up on each side of the frame to help support the slopping side panels of the tarp.

[TooFly]

Originally Posted by dcobbett

marcOO,

I've gone through a variety of wood frames and have used a PVC pipe one for the last few years. Sets up and breaks apart easily, materials are cheap and durable and the tarp slides on and off the frame without a hitch. Attached .jpegs are from 2 different versions and one of them is attached to just show the base plates I use for the verticals in the boat. The forward one is duct taped to the trailer and the aft one is set into a small hole that I dig. What isn't shown is a cob web type arrangement of small diameter rope that I set up on each side of the frame to help support the slopping side panels of the tarp.

Nice setup. Can I swing by and check it out sometime?

[dcobbett]

TooFly,

Sure.

[TooFly]

Originally Posted by dcobbett

TooFly,

Sure.

Sweet!

[Capt Chuck]

Ask Trayder

[pair of jacks]

I had a custom canvas cover made a few years back by a local guy here in NJ. It fits right over my t-top and I cross-tie at the bottom across the hull. I do not use any wooden supports or anything and it has survived major snow storms here, including the epic 34 inch blizzard last December. The t-top is my support system so no need for wood beams or the such. Canvas vendor is Nautical Canvas in Pt. Pleasant NJ- he's great, comes to measure your boat and comes back with customized cover.

[Trayder]

Originally Posted by Capt Chuck

Ask Trayder

Yeah at least I was smart enough to put it on a trailer and head south...

Nothing beats being able to use your boat year around!!

[thehermit]

shrinkwrap. A door is a must so you can go in there with a beer and turn on the radio until April comes. :-)