DO I NEED EXTRA COVERS TO GET THROUGH THE COLORADO WINTER???

[foleyba4]

If my 1987 Bayliner already has snap on covers like shown do I need other covers like the one shown on the bottom - for winter snow protection. Are both types compatible and can they be used together.

 

[oldjeep]

None of them are any good for snow protection if you are talking about supporting a lot of snow.

 

[CV16]

I would build an A-frame out of 2x4's and get a tarp to throw over it. I use an old set of saw horses I made tall enough to have a decent rake so the snow just slides off. One in the bow one in the stern and one long one connecting the two. Has been great for every boat my family has had for the last 40 years or so.

 

[garbageguy]

Not intended as long term solution, but the one discussed in my thread on this got us through last winter

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...engine-topics/10096931-tarp-frame-suggestions

 

[shrew]

How much snow do you get on average? I live in New England. I build a frame of wood then shrinkwrap the boat. Some build frames and use heavy duty tarps. Shrinkwrapping the boat doesn't require that you clear the snow off. I've seen tarps collapse with snow load. then again I've seen some tarps do just fine. The first year I had a boat the tarp collapsed, and I've never used one since. Individual mileage will vary.

 

[roffey]

Best case is store inside some where, does not have to be heated. If those options are not available to you, as stated above you need some sort of structure that can hold a snow load. I'm in Canada and get a decent amount of snow. The first boat I had I stored out side and the tarps froze in place followed by snow, melt, snow and so forth. It smashed my windshield to bits... good things it was an old boat but a lesson was learnt.

 

[Waterchopper]

A portable awning to park under is only $600 and it lasts several years. It won't keep blowing snow off but it will keep the weight of most snow off of your boat. It is only a roof and frame with no walls.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Buy a $25 tarp, put that over your snap canvas, tie it good to frame of trailer.. buy some cheap "clothes line" rope and tie it up like a hostage to prevent wind flap, if you get a big snow go out and push it off with a garage broom. ive got a snap canvas on my 20ft cuddy, cover that with tarp here, NY/PA boarder,, big snow maker here.. zero problems,, get a pole system from your deck up so snow does not cave in and tear snaps,,,, your $25 tarp will probably last several years before it tears,, mine have..

 

[fhhuber]

A frame and plywood with at least 1:1 (45 deg) pitch for the resulting roof. steeper is better. (I'd run 2X4's from the plywood to the ground to keep weight off the boat and trailer) Then tarp over that and tie it down really well.

Periodically check inside and ensure you are not accumulating ice in the bilge. If you are, you have to figure out how to melt it and get it to drain. The boat filling with ice can result in freeze-thaw expansion tearing everything apart.

This is why people rent space to store their boats inside. Its a royal pain to protect the boat properly if its not in a garage or storage building.

Denver thinks its a good day when people in PA/NY are panicking and close the schools.

 

[oldjeep]

Denver thinks its a good day when people in PA/NY are panicking and close the schools.

Huh? Can't recall seeing measurable snow in Denver more than once in all the times I've been skiing out west.

 

[viper1216]

Learn from my experience. I live in New England and I used those covers on my old boat and the front cover collapsed from the weight of the snow. Ripped the cover to shreds. And I would constantly remove the snow when I could....still killed the cover. Like everyone said above, if you can't store inside, I now have a frame I built out of 2x4's and then have a trap that I drape over the frame and secure with a bunch of bungee cords to the trailer. Works great.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Huh? Can't recall seeing measurable snow in Denver more than once in all the times I've been skiing out west.

Not sure what part of Denver he's referred to..not much snow there.....Huber..go live near Buffalo...your perspective on snow will change.m

 

[Leardriver]

I had 6 foot drifts twice last year in Denver. Put a boat cover on, and then buy a cheapo Harbor Freight tarp to go over the boat covers.

 

[gm280]

Oh yes snow can get extremely heavy. but a dry snow is merely fluff. So I would use a cover like you've shown and then back that up with a couple or more tarps. But also use a water-proofer on the tarps to help them slide the snow off. If you can't get to the boat after a huge snow fall, then the tarps would be backed up with the original cover to keep from collapsing in. That is the cheap easy way. Of course if money is no object, then build an enclosed cover for it. JMHO

 

[82rude]

I bought the Navigloo boat shelter system .Though not cheap it should last for many,many years.At the end of the year you store it in a bag and fold up the tarp and put it somewhere.Plastics and straps with foam protectors.

 

[Old Ironmaker]

82rude I've lived in smaller apartments in Toronto than your boat cover frame. That's not moving soon, nice job. Are you going to shingle it go with a life time steel roof?

Foleyba4, suggesting you shrink wrap that Bayliner isn't helping probably. I do not like plastic tarps for boats, until I saw 82rudes . The tarp won't be near any paint to hurt the boat if you build a small house like above. To answer your question, no that travel cover isn't sufficient to handle snow loads and too many opening rain can get in and covering it with a second tight cover poses problems with snow loads for sure.

 

[82rude]

LOL. Those frames are adjustable also.They sell the system here and at Canadiantire.The tarp that goes with it is very heavy duty.

 

[Pete_a]

Last yr I put a towable tube on my seats and windshield than a pole up front. I use a heavy duty walmart tarp and several bungee cords, a bunch so its not moving and i make sure to broom any snow off. Worked last winter.

I just got new cover similar to what you show and now use a taylor made support system. This will be my first winter with that. I think i will still use a tarp, not sure. I may get a second pole up front. Imo the taylor systems plastic clips wont hold much snow but idk. Id like to try making some framework with pvc but this yr i have to do transom work so i need something easy to remove and install.

I think the best is to have a portable shelter

 

[guy48065]

Winter covers for pontoons can get BIG!

The railings make it possible to use ropes instead of so many pipes to give the tarp some rigidity.