Boat Cover Frame

[Arkman]

I hope this is the right place to put this.

Last winter I had a problem with my boat cover. I couldn't keep it tight enough or supported enough to keep the water and snow out. Right now I have a cover i bought from Northern Tool and I used a few padded 2x4's to hold it up in spots. This just didn't seem to cut it.

I did a little experimenting with PVC and made a frame but the frame goes down to the seat top rather than out to the edge of the boat so there is still a nice place for water/snow to collect on the cover. I really think I need a solution that the frame goes to the top of the side walls rather than to the seat tops. That way it will keep the fabric from sinking down and collecting water.

What do all of you use to hold up your boat covers?

Oh by the way, this is a simple 16' lund fishing boat with bench seats. No windshield or anything like that.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Boat Cover Frame

Hello Arkman..

You might want to strap your boat like shrinkwrappers do .. with fiberglass banding on your 2x4s.. then Tightly cover..

This may help.

Other then that.. you might want to pay 150 bucks to have it wrapped up. ( make sure they hang some damp/dry if you decide to go this way ).

Trailer up on the nose .

YD.

 

[amclaker]

Re: Boat Cover Frame

Same issues for me. This year I think I'll try a simple A-frame made of plywood that rests on the gunwales. I'll have a piece of strapping on the inside of the bottom edge of the plywood to keep from slipping off and then tarp over.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Boat Cover Frame

Try 1/2" EMT bent in a bow. I have mine so the ends sit in the rod holder mounts. There's a bow up forward and one aft. Bend them as they need to be first then cut the ends off to get the right height. 1/2" EMT runs about $3.00 per 10' length at HD. My cover is bungied to the trailer to keep it taught.

You can also put 1/2 chair rubbers on the ends and then roll them up into place. If the tarp/cover is tight they will stay.