Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

[dst87mcssac]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

Hello,

Six years ago, I spent $1,000.00 on a custom made Sunbrella cover with Poles are snaps. This was a great investment and it stays on the boat when not in use. For the last three years, I have left the boat in the water year round ( North Carolina) and the Sunbrella Fabric Still looks Great.

In September, I purchased an old Ski Boat and I installed a customer Sunbrella Cover on it because of the results that I had from my pontoon.

I hope this helps,

Donald

 

[chrisg]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

Update on my setup: I have a 2*4 running the length of the toon to make the spine, then ropes to make the sloping sides. Yup, first dumping of the 'wet stuff' and the ropes sagged, I had to crawl inside and push the tarp up to get the snow to slide off. I'm on a corner lot, and the boat is beside the sidewalk ( behind a fence) so when I pushed the tarp up, the snow slid off, over the fence onto the person walking their dog! This could be fun

That only happened once. now its so cold, that what snow falls, just slides off. ( and the winds here are high, so the tarp flaps which also helps to keep snow off it).

All I can do now is sit in my hot tub, looking at my covered boats, ans wish spring will come quickly ( and they are calling for another 6" of wet stuff!) This winter is becoming a pain! - and its only started!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

Just a suggestion but in the past I have always used 2 tarps. I have found with the brutal winters here that the 2nd tarp helps support and repel the snow better. It also insures a better weather barrier. I have used PVC pipe and no glue in the past.

Hey rickdb1boat that's a VT registration

 

[mthieme]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

So I put my pontoon in the backyard and covered it with this green farm quality 'extra heavy duty' tarp from HF. But then I read this is only 8Mil thick with a 12X 12 weave. they had a silver one which was 11 mil thick but a 14* 14 weave, but it did not say heavy duty. Does it sound like I picked the correct one?

With the exception of a custom fit for one garden tractor, I've never tried the green ones, but use the silver ones extensively. I get about 5 years out of them. Only one or two out of the blues ones - they're pretty much junk. I have about eight things scattered around the yard with silver tarps on them.
Our County files over ever other year in January and takes aerial photographs of all the properties. I'm thinking of spraying them black to match my roof just to screw with them.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

Our County files over ever other year in January and takes aerial photographs of all the properties. I'm thinking of spraying them black to match my roof just to screw with them.

Give them something to ponder like the outline of a jumbo jet or a small war ship!

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

Here in Florida, I just keep a couple of light jackets on the boat. LOL

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

this is a simple inexpensive way. if you are in a light snow area, you could also put a few ropes across the ridge to support the tarp. here we just deal with wind, leaves, rain.

this was done with 1 1/2 PVC 4 10' lengths, 2 90* 4 Tees, 12x24 tarp from iboats.com nothing is glued, just inserted for easy break down.

 

[chrisg]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

Update: I HATE WINTER!!!!!!!!!!

Is only January and we have had more snow and high winds then I can remember. The snow is sooooo deep, its above the frame of the trailer!!!!!!! As for my green farmers tarp from HF, its got rips in it from the high winds! Even my BBQ cover is shredded! I did not cover all the sharp edges with pipe insulation. Looks like I will be buying a 2nd tarp for next year. ( perhaps the silver one) now I see why they charge 300 for shrink wrap!

One problem I see that I will have come in the spring --- the dogs have discovered an ideal place to do their 'jobs' out of the snow and wind!. I think I will move the trailer before crawling underneath to untie the cover!

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

This is what my 16'er looks like when I forgot to cover it (like last winter!) there was so much snow it bent the axle last year... sigh...

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

This what my 16'er looks like when I build the cover over it. I use 16' 2x4's with a bolt through them at the top The nail on some 1/4" plywood on the cross beams. After this photo was taken I cut the top teepee part of the 16's off and covered it with a tarp. It works well. If anyone tries it the one thing I recommend is to make sure you have level ground all around as if the 16'er's aren't flush on the ground they wont take the snow weight.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

Here are some pics of my titanic all covered up.. We've had lots of snow and it has held up very well..

Here is the boat in the water..

Here is a couple shots of my winter wonderland..

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

Wow... You still have open water! I'd be out boating! Our waterfront looks like this unfortunately! At least we can go skating though!

 

[chrisg]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

Why is there open water? it does not look like its moving fast.

Anyways, how did you prevent the tarp from riping at the edges? mine is shreding with all the high winds we are having here!!
I'll need to upload pics of my 'pickel'

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Winterizing- How do you cover your toon?

I have no idea why it does not freeze over. Even on the coldest days. The current can be very deceptive even when low like this. Other than that i have no idea. This is northwestern WI and it is unbelievably pretty when it is -20 and there is steam or fog coming off the river.

As for the tarp, it is pretty tight. As tight as i could make it without straining the seams. The beam has a carpet covering so that will not puncture it. I also don't get a lot of wind.