how to keep snow off tarp?

[imported_rusty]

ok finally covered my boat for the season used the green tarp the wife said the blue is to ugly so i got it set up so the snow runs off and not collect like a swimming pool but we all know the snow will still stick and could cave it in some . i was thinking spray the tarp every now and then with some wd 40 or some armour all so its really slippery and the snow will melt or slide right off? any other tricks?

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

Stick some boxes under it in strategic spots.

 

[Wimperdink]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

put a small heater in it... corded into the garage... plug it in when it starts to snow... un plug it when it stops.<br /><br />Disclaimer... I take no responsiblity for fire damage due to impropor positioning of heater.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

I have 2 tarps on my boat and I use saw horses to hold a ridge pole up the length of the boat. I have a good 45 degree angle on the tarp from the pole and little snow ever stays on the boat too long (and I live in a snow belt area.<br /><br />I would guess if you put rain-x in a spray bottle and misted the top that would work. I use iy under the pastic fenders on my atv and the mud does not stick.<br /><br />Probably the most sound alternative is to tarp the boat and have it shipped to southern florida or california for the winter .... no measurable snow!

 

[jtexas]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

Spray it with glycol every now & then? <br /><br />(it's a joke)

 

[Laddies]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

Bobs, got the best awnser it's the only way to keep snow off, that would work in our heavy snow area, I think its better than shrink wrap

 

[tommays]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

<br /><br /><br />like bob i have a STRONG frame that runs the lenth of the boat and has a steep pitch<br /><br />in big storms with wet snow it still needs help and the brown tarp has a very slippery finish<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

Put it in a garage? That will keep snow off it. jus jokin....<br /><br />When I had my other boat, I used the ski tube (inflated of course) and stood it up on its edge in the center of the boat. Just make sure that you have plenty of pitch. Once snow gets so deep it will slide off. Especially when the wind blows. I cover the back of my cabin cruiser with one of those plastic tarps. I string rope back and forth from the bridge to the rear deck rail. This keeps it from collapsing when we have snow fall. Speaking of, tonight 3-5 expected.

 

[roscoe]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

Use one tarp to cover the boat, keep critters out, and keep it dry.<br /><br />Use a 2nd, larger tarp, secured to top of garage or a couple of trees, lean-to style, to deflect accumulating snow.

 

[Mark42]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

This year I replaced my wood "saw horse" frame for a 2" PVC frame. Its sched 40 so it should hold up the weight. I like it because of its quick set up and take down. I'll find out if it bears the weight of snow as well as the 1x4 pine frame I used last winter. The frame is same height as windshield. Last winter most snow slid off. I'll see how it goes this winter.

 

[imported_rusty]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

i got a good pitch on it now i guess i will just go out and broom it off every now and then boy i wish i had a barn,

 

[JasonJ]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

Before I had a garage, I built a frame out of 2x4s that I could assemble and dissasemble quickly. The frame simply sat on top of the boat and created a steep pitch for the tarp. I tied the tarp off and didn't worry about it until spring.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: how to keep snow off tarp?

+1 on the PVC. Cheap, easily built and taken down for storage. Simply put it all together how you like it the first year, then before taking it down (no glue of course) mark each joint, on the pipe and the coupler, with a letter. Then next year just put the pipe with letter 'A' into the coupler with letter 'A' and so on. C-A-K-E. <br /><br />Might not even need the letters with a simpler A-frame support, but with a 24' walkaround it gets interesting from an engineering standpoint.