How do you cover your boat.

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Wimperdink

Lieutenant Junior Grade
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Jul 24, 2005
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Re: How do you cover your boat.

for those of you who leave your boat under a carport... do you have problems with moisture or bugs or leaves or etc etc? I'm looking at purchasing a carport that is very simple... just poles with a strong tarp stretched tight over the top for a roof. Found someone here that sells the whole works 10' x 20' for $200. I get so tired of uncovering and recovering the boat for an afternoon spin out in the lake that sometimes i just opt not to go because of the cumbersum boat cover. <br /><br />Wondering if any of you using carports have any advice to throw in here.
 
SeaKaye12

SeaKaye12

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Re: How do you cover your boat.

AARGH! 24% so far have garages for their boat! :rolleyes: <br /><br />Well...there we have it...the haves... (them!) and the have nots... (me!) <br /><br />Sigh...
 
Pony

Pony

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Re: How do you cover your boat.

LOL we can't even get a single car in our 2.5 car garage.....
 
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budlin00

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Jul 28, 2005
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Re: How do you cover your boat.

There is no way I'm putting my car in my garage! It has a history of exploding... (2001 Ford Expedition)
 
rwidman

rwidman

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Re: How do you cover your boat.

Originally posted by Wimperdink:<br /> ........ I'm looking at purchasing a carport that is very simple... just poles with a strong tarp stretched tight over the top for a roof..
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Be carefull of wind and snow loads with these. I've seen pictures where the "carport" collapsed on vehicles and boats and damaged them. I've seen metal ones for about $800.00. They might be better. Be sure you anchor it securely.<br /><br />Mine's covered with a tarp. The HOA isn't about to allow one of those portable carports around here. :rolleyes:
 
W

Wimperdink

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Re: How do you cover your boat.

I'll cover it in the winter with the whole boat cover as well as the carport... but for during the weeks that i'm not traveling for work i'd like to make it a lil easier to maintain. I live less than a mile from a good sized lake here and it takes as long to cover and uncover as it does to drive there and back... sometimes just to tired to bother with it but rather than leaving it exposed to impromptu rain storms I'm thinking the portable carport should work huh. <br /><br />I'm jealous of those with enough room in their garages to park a boat. I cant get a car in my one car garage empty much less with my projects in operation in there.. <br /><br />I've heard snow doesnt come much more than 2 inches at a time and never stays more than a couple of days, but i've not been here long, so i'm guessing snow loads wont be a problem.<br /><br />Budlin00 I feel very fortunate to not have a car with an "exploding tendancies". :D
 
rwidman

rwidman

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Re: How do you cover your boat.

I spent most of my years in MD where there would be an occasional snow of 24" or so. I would go out and brush snow off the boat cover several times during a storm. I retired to the south and don't expect that problem anymore. :) <br /><br />If I'm really tired when I get home I wait until the next dy to cover the boat.<br /><br />I would consider spending the extra $$ for the sturdier metal carport. It will be worth it in the long run.
 
CalicoKid

CalicoKid

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Re: How do you cover your boat.

Couldn't vote twice (once for each boat) but I keep one in the garage year round, one under a custom canvas cover Summertime and garaged Wintertime.
 
C

chugger

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Jul 5, 2005
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Re: How do you cover your boat.

I made a light weight tent frame that I place on top the boat then cover with a tarp. The tarp completey covers the boat and is held in place by bungie cords. There are openings on both ends of the tent for ventilation.
 
W

Wimperdink

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Re: How do you cover your boat.

I'd like to go with the steel version but not sure how that will work here... not allowed to build within 15' of property line and the boat parking spot is within that. Maybe i'll just get a steel one and use angle iron along the bottom from pole to pole and just pound long rebar stakes in to hold it in place so its not considered a permanent structure. guess I need to make sure the sides are covered huh.<br /><br />Guess I should have included "tip it upside down" as that seems to be the answer for a lot of smaller boats here.
 
M

Mercury140-I6

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Nov 6, 2003
Messages
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Re: How do you cover your boat.

My friend has a "Towable" cover and I have a Walmart special cover, we used PVC to make like a tent under them so that no rain/snow would be able to collect on them. Was really easy to do. His cover has nylon straps to secure it, I am using bungy cords. Works pretty good.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Craig
 
Mark42

Mark42

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Re: How do you cover your boat.

For winter storage, like Mercury40-6, I made a "tent" frame from PVC that sits in the boat. A heavy duty tarp is put over the boat and attached to the trailer frame with bungie cords. The tarp is long enough that it also covers the outboard and the winch post. A couple of plastic shopping bags cover the jack.<br /><br />Summer storage is either in garage or with a simple elastic boat cover. The PVC frame is used to keep rain from puddling.<br /><br />When a big storm is coming, it gets put in the garage.
 
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mattttt25

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Sep 29, 2002
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Re: How do you cover your boat.

surprised i was the only "other" vote. hasn't anyone heard of shrink wrap?
 
W

Wimperdink

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Re: How do you cover your boat.

Originally posted by mattttt25:<br /> surprised i was the only "other" vote. hasn't anyone heard of shrink wrap?
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I think thats just for winterizing... I was kinda referring to in between days or weeks in going out to play on the water. <br /><br />I'm also surprised at the lack of people that use prefab snap on covers. That seems like the easiest outside stored cover.
 
SpinnerBait_Nut

SpinnerBait_Nut

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17,651
Re: How do you cover your boat.

I have a custom Gambler cover and it stays in the garage also.
 
U

Uncle Dave

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 10, 2003
Messages
240
Re: How do you cover your boat.

By all means, get your toy under shelter.<br />A $5,000 toy or a $20,000 toy and you park it out in the rain and sun for lack of a 200 dollar shelter?? <br />Bet if you had a convertable car you would certainly cover and put it in the garage.<br />More boats are totaled by rain water than lake water.<br />Uncle Dave
 
QC

QC

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Mar 22, 2005
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Re: How do you cover your boat.

I checked other and carport. My cover is custom not aftermarket and it has no snaps . . . I tow with it also. I got my Carport from PepBoys for $89. 10 x 20 and it has been pretty good. No moisture, but I had to make plastic "doors" for both ends to keep blowing rain out . . .
 
B

Booner

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Feb 15, 2005
Messages
276
Re: How do you cover your boat.

Wimperdink:<br />I keep my boat under a metal carport the only bugs that seem to invade are mud dobbers. I also keep a boat cover on it. I keep one of those rodent (mouse) sonar beeper repellent things plugged inside the boat. I recommend them haven’t had any evidence of mice in the boat. or cats ;)
 
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