Boat cover support structure

[Hanr3]

Hey All,

I need to make a boat cover support system for this winter. I have two boats that will sit outside al winter. One will be under a lean-to and the other next to the house. Interested in seeing what others have done in the past, what worked and what didn't work. I'm a do-it-yourself type of guy and prefer home made solutions.

What ya got?

[maxwell328]

$100.00 ShelterLogic Max AP™ 10' x 20' Canopy | Academy

[bee]

I have a extension ladder that I lay on top of the boat and then tarp it.

[pop]

Don't know if I have any pictures left, sold my boat and deleted the pictures. Could have some pictures on my work computer, I'll take a look tomorrow. In the mean time, I'll tell you my support was a PVC frame and worked really well. PVC will bend nicely making a nice tent an has good strength for snow loads. Pop

[SeaRay]

I saw one made from 1/2 PVC bent in archs across the boat. Had one about every 3 ft. I did not look close, but they probably fit into a "T" section on each side with pieces of PVC holding the "T"s together.
If you got pedestal seats like my Tracker had you can slip a section of 1.5" PVC over the two pedestals(seats removed) and put a T on each and run a center piece between the two T's for a center piece to hang a tarp or cover over.

[Hanr3]

$100.00 ShelterLogic Max AP™ 10' x 20' Canopy | Academy

I use the same shelter for my campsite. Makes a great shelter while camping. Thanks for the idea, however I don't think it's realistic for my application. One boat is under a lean-to and the other sits on a broken concrete pad. I don't think it will last a winter around here. W get some heavy snow falls and high winds. I've used mine in heavy rain storms, but not snow storms.

Searay,
I like your design, simple! Is 1 1/2" pvc strong enough to hold a snow load? We can get 8"-12" of snow at a time. Do you need runners down to the gunwales?

[maxwell328]

Google Images for PVC Boat Canopy.

[SeaRay]

Don't get much snow here so not sure about snow load. I made it as high as I could to get a steep runoff, but snow may pile up. Might need some side runners as well.

[Hanr3]

Google Images for PVC Boat Canopy.

Started there, however pictures provided no answers about strength or if it was a good design. What I need is practical knowledge. Can it survive a snow load? Easy to build a structure to withstand rain, snow is a completely different animal.

[doggone]

Ice is the worst....it will tear up just about anything if you get a couple inches.