How to deal with snow on boat?

[MalcolmV8]

Hey Guys,

Looking for ideas how the rest of you deal with it snowing on your boat in the winter. This is my first winter with the boat so I've not faced this problem yet. I have a 1991 Bayliner with a form fitting cover. It's basically like a huge scoop that catches rain etc. I had to build a PVC frame work underneath that props it up so when it rains it doesn't dam up but runs off.
However I don't think it's going to hold up to snow at all. I'm wondering if I should go back and build a much stronger PVC frame work that sits under the cover that will withstand snow or maybe use 2x4s instead or what? How do you guys deal with it?

Thanks
Malcolm

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Cheapest way....... build a steep a frame and cover it with a blue poly tarp. Steeper the peak the less that will accumulate 2x 4 are okay and even 2 x 3 which are cheaper

 

[AChotrod]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

This is my fist winter with a boat also. I was going to rig up a clothes line type deal, take a tarp and make a steep sided tent over it and stake down the sides. Pretty much exactly like Bob suggested but cheaper. Hope it holds up.

 

[JimS123]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Clothesline will last about 20 minutes before it collapses. I tried 2x4's with a tarp and it lasted 1/2 way thru winter. The PVC pipe and a silver tarp (oh no not blue ones.....LOL) will get you thru the winter.

A northern winter will get you 2 years on a silver tarp, if you flop it over the second year. Blue Harbor Freight Tarps last only months.

I solved the problem in 2005 when I built the "boathouse" - a 3 car garage that holds 3 boats.

 

[MalcolmV8]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Thanks guys. I just got back from Lowes. Grabbed some 2" PVC and will build a high center A frame tomorrow. I'll then run some rope around it at various points to create side ribs so to speak. I'll also have a couple PVC side ribs put in with tees. I'll see if my existing boat cover extends far enough to work with it else I'll get a tarp. Will have to see in a few days how this turns out.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Clothesline will last about 20 minutes before it collapses. I tried 2x4's with a tarp and it lasted 1/2 way thru winter. The PVC pipe and a silver tarp (oh no not blue ones.....LOL) will get you thru the winter.

A northern winter will get you 2 years on a silver tarp, if you flop it over the second year. Blue Harbor Freight Tarps last only months.

I solved the problem in 2005 when I built the "boathouse" - a 3 car garage that holds 3 boats.

I would not use actual clothes line. More like heavy duty braided nylon and tall aluminum poles(think fence posts) drill through them and run the line. Darn I was hoping it would be that easy. Wish I could afford a boat garage.

 

[Watermann]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I used 80# conduit, way stranger and actually cheaper than pvc pipe. Mocked it all up to fit and then cemented it together.

 

[MalcolmV8]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I used 80# conduit, way stranger and actually cheaper than pvc pipe. Mocked it all up to fit and then cemented it together.

That's nice. Does the snow collect on the sides in between the side pieces going down? They seem far apart but it's hard to tell from a pic. I like your design though. My boat layout is different so I'd have to improvise but I envision something along that concept. Thanks for posting.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I have a support system under a heavy duty Silver Tarp. The pretty summer cover goes inside for the winter.
The snow will generally build up to the point that an avalanche starts and it all slides off.
If it doesn't, when I am out shoveling the walk, I just take a garage broom and sweep off the snow.

Is it April yet?

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I solved the problem by moving to SE NC,,, NO MO SNO

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

This was on my boat when I got it, the white strips are fiber glass I do watch it in winter and remove snow and ice when necessary. But I live where lake effect is normal.

 

[ricohman]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Nothing beats a professional wrap for shedding snow. If you really need to shed the snow you may need to cover the cover with something slippery, like a tarp. But after some freezing and thawing the tarp will collect snow as well so the framework you build has to be plenty strong.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I just open two or three lawn chairs in my boat then tarp it tight.
But if you do spend the coin to shrink wrap, as I did with the bigger boat, I would save the shrink wrap and reuse it for 2-3 years. It did save $$ instead of just throwing it away after the winter. Some of the shrink wrap guys would do it so there was a draw string all the way around the bottom, below the rub rail. So I could loosen the tension, unwrap, then store and reuse the next year.

 

[Natesms]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

When you build your structure watch out for sharp points. EX: end of a 2X4. They'll chew right through a tarp in the wind.

 

[wgl333]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

^^^ Make sure to ease the edges of your 2 X 4's at the end points. Also, along the ridge pole it is a good idea to use the foam pipe insulation to help minimize the wearing of the tarp. I haven't had problems with the Harbor Freight tarps or with 2 X 4's, just make sure your pitch is high enough to allow the snow to slide off....

 

[MalcolmV8]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Thanks guys. I have a feeling I'm going to try and make my actual boat cover work rather than a tarp. I live next to 14 acres of land and have an abundance of squirrels, ground hogs, deer, even seen a few fox. I might have some critters camping out in the boat if I don't get a good tight fit on.

 

[airshot]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Yep had the same problem, decided to build a big frame to cover the boat. Did get a little carried away though, the frame turned out to be a 24' x 40' pole barn, no worries now...........

 

[Natesms]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Thanks guys. I have a feeling I'm going to try and make my actual boat cover work rather than a tarp. I live next to 14 acres of land and have an abundance of squirrels, ground hogs, deer, even seen a few fox. I might have some critters camping out in the boat if I don't get a good tight fit on.

I've always used both for winter storage. Not sure if your boat cover can handle the pitch for the snow but with the 2 of them I've had no real problems other than a pole failing one year. Snow piled in but I was able to scoop it out before it was much of a problem.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

When I lived in the cold north and kept the boat out of the shop or storage, I would simply put the cover on (with bows) and then cover with a tarp. then once per snow fall, go out there and blow off the snow with the leaf blower. worse case was a 12" snow fall, and I had to pull out a broom.

Then I started putting the boat in the shop, and ultimately got a storage unit for the boat. Now I live in sunny Florida and boat year round.

 

[JimS123]

Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Thanks guys. I have a feeling I'm going to try and make my actual boat cover work rather than a tarp. I live next to 14 acres of land and have an abundance of squirrels, ground hogs, deer, even seen a few fox. I might have some critters camping out in the boat if I don't get a good tight fit on.

It might work, you'll have to try it. If it fails, the remedy mid winter isn't easy though.

Regardless, plan on replacing the cover every couple of years if you go that way.