PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

[thedukeryan]

I have a 98 Rinker 232 Captiva. On the deck there is a cup thingy for a little table. You know the type where you have a ~ 3" poll that drops in for the support like in campers and what not. Anyways Im thinking about using it and some pvc for the support for my boat cover. I bought a cheap one at wally world and it is junk. Anyone ever done something similar? If so what size pipe did you use and how did it work out?

 

[tcgobucks]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

We've made all kinds of cover props over the years. In your situation, since you already have the baseplate on the floor here's what I'd do. I'd put a grommet in your cover directly above where the baseplate is in your floor....then buy a regular adjustable cover prop...available at most marinas. Just drop it in the base, put the pointed end thru the hole and adjust it to tighten up the cover. The grommet keeps the pole from moving around. You mention it's a cheap cover so I'm assuming it doesn't fit perfectly to your boat. If you don't put a grommet in, whatever you use for the post/prop is just going to fall over the first time the cover flops in the wind.

 

[JoLin]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

Use whatever will fit in the hole, and cap the top of the pipe so that the raw edge won't abrade your cover.

It's a low-stress application, so most anything should work. You could use an adjustable tent pole, telescoping boat hook with the pointy end pointed down, wooden dowel... almost anything you can think of that you can make fit snugly into the deck cup. The key is, as I mentioned above, to make sure that the end touching the cover is smooth/padded.

My .02

 

[JoLin]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

I like tcgobucks' idea....

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

Sorry for not wording that correctly. The cover for the boat was actually pretty pricey. Its thick and heavy. Vinyl on the outside and then insulated fabric on the underside. Its not one of the light weight nylon ones. It was the support that I bought at wally world that was cheap. Its basically a bunch of short tubes that snap together to make a long pole. The problem is that it is flimsy and the base is not solid so when ever I try to put the cover on it just flops over or moves around. That is why I am thinking about making one that will lock into the deck mount. Would 3" tube be about the right size and then a smooth cap on top. Not really wanting to punch a hole in my cover since I have some $ invested in it and dont wanna screw it up.

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

Okere here is what I have mounted on my deck http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RV-T..._Camper_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27b33d9b12 it fits flush on the floor and is pretty deep. Im thinking a 2" pvc pipe and end cap will be pretty sturdy and mount solid enough to keep it from flopping over. As for local marinas for parts the closest one is about a hour away and I would rather home brew something than make a special trip. PVC is cheap so Im thinking worse case Im out a little bit of $ for materials. What do you guys think?

 

[JoLin]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

I think it'll work fine. I'd incorporate tcgobucks' idea, too. You can put a screw part way into the end cap, a grommet in the cover, and nothing will shift around or rub on each other.

I like cheap but effective solutions, too

 

[tcgobucks]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

I understand your not wanting to put a hole in a new cover, but it really isn't an issue (especially if the cover is a fairly heavy material). The hole isn't big enough to cause leakage issues. The thing is, no matter what you use on top of the prop it's going to fall over eventually if the cover is just resting on top of it....the wind will create airflow that will eventually flop the cover just enough to cause the prop to come loose and fall over....first time you come out and find a foot deep puddle in the middle of your cover and the cover stretched out of shape because the prop fell out, the little hole from the grommet won't seem like such a bad idea....

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

MOst covers even the good ones come with that cheap junk pole. I think I used 1.25" PVC,(or maybe it was 1") anyway just cut it to the length of the pole and slide it over the black pole that came with the cover. Makes it pretty sturdy.

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

I understand your not wanting to put a hole in a new cover, but it really isn't an issue (especially if the cover is a fairly heavy material). The hole isn't big enough to cause leakage issues. The thing is, no matter what you use on top of the prop it's going to fall over eventually if the cover is just resting on top of it....the wind will create airflow that will eventually flop the cover just enough to cause the prop to come loose and fall over....first time you come out and find a foot deep puddle in the middle of your cover and the cover stretched out of shape because the prop fell out, the little hole from the grommet won't seem like such a bad idea....

I really don't think it will fall over if I get the right size pipe and fit it in snugly. I know the table that drops in there would take a sledge hammer to knock over and even then it would brake something well before it tipped. I have no doubts that the pvc would brake or bow before it tipped over if I can find a pipe that fits snugly. The problem I had with the cheapo boat cover pole is that the base is so lite weight that it wont stay in place when trying to cover it. That and the weight and size of the cover is just to much for it I think even if I beefed it up.

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

I had the same problem, and also didn't want to poke a hole in my cover. Found some PVC that fit into the table hole and cut it to the right length. The trick was using a furniture mover (as seen on tv) it's a plastic dish with foam rubber inside. I jammed a dowel into the end of the PVC and ran a screw through the center of the plate foam side up into the dowel. Now I have a pole that fits the table hole and has a large round foam disc on top to rest my cover on.

 

[yfzjim]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

I really don't think it will fall over if I get the right size pipe and fit it in snugly. I know the table that drops in there would take a sledge hammer to knock over and even then it would brake something well before it tipped. I have no doubts that the pvc would brake or bow before it tipped over if I can find a pipe that fits snugly. The problem I had with the cheapo boat cover pole is that the base is so lite weight that it wont stay in place when trying to cover it. That and the weight and size of the cover is just to much for it I think even if I beefed it up.

I think if you have the right size PVC for the base it wont move much at all even in the wind. I say go for it. definately use a PVC cap to protect your cover. You could also use a tee fitting on top and put arms on it to support the cover even more.
On a side note, I always thought those baseplates were for a stripper pole. I had no idea you could use them for a table...

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: PVC Pipe & Table Mount For Cover Support???

Hmmm... It wouldn't take much to put some stage lights on the deck and then maybe a chrome plated pole instead of the pvc. I'm thinking instead of the foam top as mentioned above I could use a mirrored disco ball. Now I need to find some mirror finished stainless steel to use on the deck. I think a disco ball, mirrored deck, stage lights and a chrome would be perfect. That way it will double as a stripper pole/cover support I'm gonna get some pvc and give it a try. I will try to get some pics up once I figure something out.