Need Opinions for PVC Support on Boat

[luckyinkentucky]

I have a Skeeter Fish n' Ski that I plan on storing outside this winter due to the unavailability of space in my garage. The wife says one boat in the garage is enough, and my Nitro takes up the garage.

So, I want to make a PVC Support system to fit underneath my regular cover that will support the cover, and a loose tarp for the winter months.

I already have some support poles, but they aren't sturdy enough to hold the weight of the cover and a tarp, so I need some minds more geared towards engineering than my own.

Here is a pic of the layout of my boat. Thanks for the help.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Need Opinions for PVC Support on Boat

Generally thw suppoet poles (usually 2X4) run the length of the boat, in the center. Then supports run at an angel to the center support to the hull or ground(like framing a gable roof)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need Opinions for PVC Support on Boat

i use pvc pipe, just add more supports as you add length for your boat, clik on links at bottom.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Need Opinions for PVC Support on Boat

I made PVC tent frame supports for both my small boats (14.5' and 16'). It will cost about $20- 30 or so for the PVC.

The basic idea is to make upside down T supports connected by horizontals so when a tarp is pulled over, it makes a tent shape that rain and snow will slide off of. The 2" PVC will seem rather flimsy when you assemble it, but once a tarp is pulled over and attached with bungie cords to the trailer frame, it becomes very rigid.

For your boat, I would make 3 "T" supports that are tied together with 2 horizontal lengths. 2" schedule 40 PVC works well and is easy to cut with a common hand saw. Because the T's will not stand by themselves without being connected to another T, it helps to have a helper with you. Kids are perfect for this task.

Take your measurements for height, you need the frame to be about 1.5 - 2 ft highter than the highest point of the boat.

Make 3 upside down T shapes - each made from 2 16" legs and the vertical. They all must have their vertical cut so they are all the same height when installed in their specific location.

Make one for the center of the casting area with a 90* fitting on top of the vertical facing rear, then another updside down T right behind the windshield with a T fitting on top, then another upside town T behind the rear seats with a 90 facing forward. Glue up all the upside down T supports together. I also added 2" couplers to each end of the T legs so that they don't rock side to side (about 30 cents each).

Measure and cut for the verticals. Hand fit the 3 T's together. make any adjustments you need for height. The horizontal runs should not get over 6 feet or they will sag. I have a 8 ft or so horizontal on my MFG and it saggs about 2" in the center.

The nice part of this design is only the verticals are glued together, the horizontals are just press fit, and the whole thing comes apart for easy storage.

The higher you make the tent frame, the easier it will be to get in if you need to once its stored. I just undo the tarp where it covers the outboard and climb in.