How to deal with snow on boat?

Pony

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jun 27, 2004
Messages
4,355
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I did this......seems to work fine for the summer cover. For winter I will put a old cover on and cover that with a tarp and strap it down nice and tight.


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crabby captain john

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 6, 2011
Messages
1,823
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I'm sure one of my neighbors will store (and use) it for you over the winter. No problem with freezing in the win ter here
 

MH Hawker

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2011
Messages
5,516
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

This is what I do and it works fine.

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inside 5.JPG
 

pikefisherman

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 8, 2010
Messages
324
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Good idea on the pontoon cover. I tried something the same with conduit pipe.
 

shrew

Lieutenant
Joined
Dec 29, 2006
Messages
1,309
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I've had tarps fail. I've used shrinkwrap for years and that has never failed me. Inidividual experiences and opinions will vary. It also depends on the average snow load. I'd be more apt to trust a tarp in the mid-atlantic region as compared to New England or Minnesota.
 

MolsonCanadian

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
199
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I use a "quality" heavy duty tarp. 14x14 weave or better. Make sure your frame work is solid before putting the tarp on. I use 2x4's. Once the frame is up, I use the shrink wrap "rope" which is more like banding. I go from the ridge to the cleats/bow rail and tie it piano tight. This will keep the tarp tight and less chance for the snow to form a pocket.

As far as the framing and chafing the tarp, here are some tips:

At edges, ends etc of your frame where the tarp will touch, wrap in some old carpet. Tape it up well.
Use the foam sill gasket (comes in a roll) tape it along the top ridge of your frame.
Use the same foam sill gasket. to wrap any edges of the boat the tarp will touch (ie: I use it on the corners of my radar arch)
Get the tarp as tight as you can, you don't want it flapping.
Use more rope!
 

Starcraft_CSS

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 6, 2012
Messages
41
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I rigged this up. Kinda modeled it after the Navigloo. Seems steep enough that the sbnow should just slide off for the most part. Just used pvc pipe with wood footings and duct tape around the joints. I used duct tape as I want to be able to take it all apart for storage during the summer months. Tarp is 20x30. Hopefully it holds up!!



 

crabby captain john

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 6, 2011
Messages
1,823
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

StarCraft_CSS ~~~~~ the CSS would indicate you would not have a problem with snow ~~~~~ I never had great luck with the inexpensive blue tarps, rarely the gray ones either. Neither seemed to last a season but a heavy tarp lasted many seasons. The frame looks great!
 

MalcolmV8

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
84
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I rigged this up. Kinda modeled it after the Navigloo. Seems steep enough that the sbnow should just slide off for the most part. Just used pvc pipe with wood footings and duct tape around the joints. I used duct tape as I want to be able to take it all apart for storage during the summer months. Tarp is 20x30. Hopefully it holds up!!




Man that's awesome. I started mine today but ran out of time so going to work on it tomorrow. Mine's only half your height, maybe even less. I'm thinking I'll redo it like yours. That looks like it has a good chance of holding up to snow and not collapsing.
 

blackhawk180

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
367
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I fiddled around with tarps the first winter and decided on a more permanent solution. Might be a bit on the spendy side but if youspread the cost over 10 years, not bad. I purchased this carport INSTALLED for $1400 which is less than I spent on the Lowrance gear. We get about 60-80" of snow each winter and it sheds right off. I really like the fact it keeps sun off in the summer as well. I have since extended the sides all the way down.
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rbh

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 21, 2009
Messages
7,939
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Basically we deal with both wet and dry powder depending on the conditions/temp.
If its wet snow we clean it ASAP, dry snow, whenever its over a foot in accumulation+-
 

MalcolmV8

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
84
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I fiddled around with tarps the first winter and decided on a more permanent solution. Might be a bit on the spendy side but if youspread the cost over 10 years, not bad. I purchased this carport INSTALLED for $1400 which is less than I spent on the Lowrance gear. We get about 60-80" of snow each winter and it sheds right off. I really like the fact it keeps sun off in the summer as well. I have since extended the sides all the way down.
View attachment 215557

Love the carport idea too. I'm holding out on it right now because I'm hoping to get a 30 x 30 workshop built next year behind the house that I can also put the boat in. If that doesn't pan out carport will probably come next year instead.
 

ricohman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
1,631
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I rigged this up. Kinda modeled it after the Navigloo. Seems steep enough that the sbnow should just slide off for the most part. Just used pvc pipe with wood footings and duct tape around the joints. I used duct tape as I want to be able to take it all apart for storage during the summer months. Tarp is 20x30. Hopefully it holds up!!




Your setup wouldn't last a month here. The wind and ice would tear it to bits. Not to mention what the flapping tarp would do to the hull.
 

MalcolmV8

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
84
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

I had to google Saskatchewan myself. I had no idea where it was :) lol
 

ricohman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
1,631
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

Saskatchewan.
It gets cold, really cold. And windy, really windy.
That tarp and frame wouldn't last the night if it started blowing. You would be able to hear it a long way away.
 

moosehead

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 29, 2012
Messages
437
Re: How to deal with snow on boat?

In the high alpine of the Colorado Rockies, we have similar winter storage needs as Saskatchewan.

1) Best bet is indoor storage, or

2) If it absolutely has to stay outside, then shrink wrap with proper tenting. Shrink wrap is slicker and a proper tent should provide snow and water shed.

Here at least, tarps tend to fail first season, or if they manage to hang in there either: partially fail with heavier snowmelt and ice casing pooling and water in the boat; more easily let in critters; flap incessantly causing noise and noticeable hull abrasion; tend to bother neighbors.

YMMV.
 
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