How to Keep water from pooling on cover??

[HenryFrap]

I'm working on renovating an old Lone Star aluminum boat and have a question about covers.

I have a great waterproof boat cover, but sadly it still collects pools of water in the saggy areas. Does anyone know of a good website with instructions on a "do-it-yourself" skeleton or frame that I could place underneath the cover so the water rolls off?? I was thinking of trying to design something with PVC pipes that would be easy to take out and put in but thought I'd post here before I got going. . .

I'm also interested in the fiberglass bows because I can place the inserts at different places in the boat, but I'm worried they won't stay erect while I'm driving down the road--that the wind and bumps will make them shift to one side or another and fall over. Does anybody have any experience with these?

Thanks for the help. I'll try to post some more pics of my boat as I continue on it. Spent the last weekend treating the few seams it has with Gluvit. . . Stuff takes forever to dry but I'm hoping it does the trick.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: How to Keep water from pooling on cover??

PVC would be one way of making a frame/skeleton for the cover. Although I can't remember what the best recommended alternatives are these guys will be able to give you some ideas on what they have used I believe. I personally leave the pedestal poles in but still have problems with water puddling up on the boat cover (well I use a tarp). I believe if I went one pedestal pole higher it would cure my problems, and make the tarp into a tent formation.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How to Keep water from pooling on cover??

just like this, and bungee cords, by the way this is a 1960's lonestar.

 

[HenryFrap]

Re: How to Keep water from pooling on cover??

Yesssss!! Thanks Tasha---just what I was looking for. . . Once again you've solved my problem. I should just email you from now on with my questions.

Nice boat! What do you bungee the PVC to in your boat to keep it from moving? Does it travel well? Also, how long is your boat? I'm wondering if I need to add a third set of legs. What about the diameter of pipe you were using? Any details would be greatly appreciated.

My trailer is getting sanblasted right now but I should have it back and painted in another month or so. This weekend I'm going to work on the bow casting deck (though I'm not going to make it too high) and figuring out what I want to do with gas tanks, carpet, seats, etc. . . After that, it's paint time baby! I'll try to post more pics as I move ahead. . .

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How to Keep water from pooling on cover??

14 foot boat, i tie a line from bow to pvc, and motor to pvc, on the gunnels i drilled a hole in pvc caps, then thru bolted them to the hull. just pop the tent frame in the caps and cover. serious doubt it would tow at all. but it keeps it dry and clean. 5 minutes and it is ready to go.

thanks, but, asking questions here helps everyone, rather than a email just helping one.

 

[DJ]

Re: How to Keep water from pooling on cover??

Altitude (height) is your freind.

Last time I checked, water flows downhill. If you have "puddle" areas, they need to be elevated. There are a million ways to do it, as illustrated above.

 

[oops!]

Re: How to Keep water from pooling on cover??

how bout an inner tube under the tarp.....inflate as nessary.

but thats a nice set up td