I would like to build a new frame for my winter cover, canvas. The boat 34' x 11' and stored outside and subject to wind, rain, snow, and ice. We would like to build it out the new frame structure out of PVC tubing. Does anyone have any suggestions and pictures regarding he size of the PVC tube and design?
PVC Winter cover frame
- Thread starter RickS
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Winter Frame
Take a look at this link from the knowledgebase http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?post=945
Take a look at this link from the knowledgebase http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?post=945
I've been using it for five years now. It works great! I used 1" PVC and bowed it from one toe rail to the other across the top of the boom. Spaced every 3' with supports between ribs. Forward of the mast I bowed it over the spinnaker pole. Tie on a couple of PVC reinforced cloths and you're set for winter. Mine has endured winds to 40kts and snow over a foot deep.
Your boat also has height.. I should think that
2 inch pipe would be minimum and 3 inch would be better. Don't forget to anchor it well to the ground. My boat is about 10 feet high when on the hard not including the mast.
2 inch pipe would be minimum and 3 inch would be better. Don't forget to anchor it well to the ground. My boat is about 10 feet high when on the hard not including the mast.
Higgs - for crying out loud - they're poppits.
Now you are on Lake Ontario, you can no longer call them "jack stands".
Now you are on Lake Ontario, you can no longer call them "jack stands".
I just saw a slick system at the Norwalk Boat show
Its called Kover Clamps http://www.koverklampframes.com/ It uses 3/4 inch inside-diameter "EMT" thin-walled conduit -- real common stuff that you can get from places like Home Depot and such. Probably a lot more sturdy than PVC (maybe cheaper too)
Its called Kover Clamps http://www.koverklampframes.com/ It uses 3/4 inch inside-diameter "EMT" thin-walled conduit -- real common stuff that you can get from places like Home Depot and such. Probably a lot more sturdy than PVC (maybe cheaper too)
Poppits are the correct name for boat stands.
I don't know who came up with the name jack stands. Check out the larger marinas in your area and any marinas in coastal states and see what they call them. It's all in black and white on their marina contracts - "Poppit Rental" "One of the most often misused items is the boat stand. A boat stand is a tripod and on top is a pad (usually rectangular in shape) that swivels to match the pitch of a boat’s hull. It is a “shoring system” not designed or intended to be a jack stand, floor jack, or any type of weight handling device. Boat stands are not rated for any weight capacity. They stabilize a boat that is supported by its keel. Most commonly a boat is set on “keel blocks,” then boat stands are placed on each side to ensure the boat stays balanced on the blocking. Boat stands are commonly called “Poppits.” They are excellent tools when used as intended. Misused they can be deadly."
I don't know who came up with the name jack stands. Check out the larger marinas in your area and any marinas in coastal states and see what they call them. It's all in black and white on their marina contracts - "Poppit Rental" "One of the most often misused items is the boat stand. A boat stand is a tripod and on top is a pad (usually rectangular in shape) that swivels to match the pitch of a boat’s hull. It is a “shoring system” not designed or intended to be a jack stand, floor jack, or any type of weight handling device. Boat stands are not rated for any weight capacity. They stabilize a boat that is supported by its keel. Most commonly a boat is set on “keel blocks,” then boat stands are placed on each side to ensure the boat stays balanced on the blocking. Boat stands are commonly called “Poppits.” They are excellent tools when used as intended. Misused they can be deadly."
Boat stands
I should have taken a picture but the other day I saw a late model chevy blazer up on 4 "poppits" You could practically walk under it. I wonder what the weight rating of those things are... Btw, at the same place I saw a VM beetle roof(from the windows up) attached to the top of a VW bus. Very strange. Tim R.
I should have taken a picture but the other day I saw a late model chevy blazer up on 4 "poppits" You could practically walk under it. I wonder what the weight rating of those things are... Btw, at the same place I saw a VM beetle roof(from the windows up) attached to the top of a VW bus. Very strange. Tim R.
boat holder-upper
Boat Stands... not Jack Stands. A Poppet is a type of Muppet... and has its own show.
Boat Stands... not Jack Stands. A Poppet is a type of Muppet... and has its own show.
PVC
A few years ago I had my 29' boat stored at home so built a ridge that ran the length of the boat out of 3" PVC. Just supported it every 8' with a 3" PVC pole and 3 way joints. It held up to wind and snow just fine. Snow shed pretty easily and I just got under and shook the last of it off as needed. I did not like how it came down so steeply, left little room inside. Improvements I will do this year is to take 1" pipe and use these to make bowed supports that go from side to side. This should make it more rigid and give more room underneat. I also got a nice heavy duty, UV resistant white tarp to use instead of the horrible blue things. Heavy duty grommets and should hold up even better. I also won't have to hear nasty comments from my wife now about that boat covered by the ugle blue tarp anymore.
A few years ago I had my 29' boat stored at home so built a ridge that ran the length of the boat out of 3" PVC. Just supported it every 8' with a 3" PVC pole and 3 way joints. It held up to wind and snow just fine. Snow shed pretty easily and I just got under and shook the last of it off as needed. I did not like how it came down so steeply, left little room inside. Improvements I will do this year is to take 1" pipe and use these to make bowed supports that go from side to side. This should make it more rigid and give more room underneat. I also got a nice heavy duty, UV resistant white tarp to use instead of the horrible blue things. Heavy duty grommets and should hold up even better. I also won't have to hear nasty comments from my wife now about that boat covered by the ugle blue tarp anymore.
Good Old Boat
I just remembered, the last issue of Good Old Boat has articles on 2 different methods of building a winter cover. Good ideas.
I just remembered, the last issue of Good Old Boat has articles on 2 different methods of building a winter cover. Good ideas.
PVC Supports for Winter Covers
When I had my Catalina 25' I used to bring it home, for the winter, and cover it myself. I bought four sections of one inch PVC pipe, and bent them over the mast )that was layed down on top of the boat)and under the safety lines, on each end. I spaced them at the stanchions, and tied them to the stanchions (to keep them from sliding out of place), and then I cut off the excess of course. It may also help to cover the ends so they won't poke holes in the cover over time. I bough a 20 X 30 silver/black plastic tarp, from Tractor Supply (ment for covering hay bails) then then used rubber bungie cords to tie it all down around the boat. These kept it tight throughout the winter, enough that most of the rain/snow slid off. You do have to make sure you tie each end )bow & stern) down so the wind doesn't work on it, or it will all work itself loose and you find yourself out in a 30 mph wind, snow, and 10 degrees retarping your boat ! Eeeks ....... been there done that ! The only other thing I can add to this is to make sure you ventalate your boat good, under all of this, to combat the mildew inside. This system lasted me for about eight years and is cheap and dirty (so to speak !) or cheaper than shrink wrap that you throw away each spring ! Hope this helps ! Bob Burns May You Have Smooth Sailing on Warm Breezes !
When I had my Catalina 25' I used to bring it home, for the winter, and cover it myself. I bought four sections of one inch PVC pipe, and bent them over the mast )that was layed down on top of the boat)and under the safety lines, on each end. I spaced them at the stanchions, and tied them to the stanchions (to keep them from sliding out of place), and then I cut off the excess of course. It may also help to cover the ends so they won't poke holes in the cover over time. I bough a 20 X 30 silver/black plastic tarp, from Tractor Supply (ment for covering hay bails) then then used rubber bungie cords to tie it all down around the boat. These kept it tight throughout the winter, enough that most of the rain/snow slid off. You do have to make sure you tie each end )bow & stern) down so the wind doesn't work on it, or it will all work itself loose and you find yourself out in a 30 mph wind, snow, and 10 degrees retarping your boat ! Eeeks ....... been there done that ! The only other thing I can add to this is to make sure you ventalate your boat good, under all of this, to combat the mildew inside. This system lasted me for about eight years and is cheap and dirty (so to speak !) or cheaper than shrink wrap that you throw away each spring ! Hope this helps ! Bob Burns May You Have Smooth Sailing on Warm Breezes !
I agree, pvc too light
EMT conduit would be much better. It will hold the snow loads up much better than pvc. I've seen pvc frames that take on a permanent bend after a season. They also get brittle in extreme cold and can snap. I plan on makeing a frame out of EMT conduit this year. Here's a link for some fairly inexpensive clamps to hold the frame together. http://framemakerclamps.com Tom s/v Orion's Child
EMT conduit would be much better. It will hold the snow loads up much better than pvc. I've seen pvc frames that take on a permanent bend after a season. They also get brittle in extreme cold and can snap. I plan on makeing a frame out of EMT conduit this year. Here's a link for some fairly inexpensive clamps to hold the frame together. http://framemakerclamps.com Tom s/v Orion's Child
Use EMT conduit
Rick, Use 3/4 or 1" EMT (light) conduit will last forever. Use long straight pieces for ridge, connect with couplings, bend aound mast. Off ridge use 10-12" bent (angle) pieces with couplings on each end for each location you want to place a frame. 30 ft boat 5 or 6 frames. The angle of the bend will be determined by the boat beam at each frame location, appx 60-75 degrees. Frame pieces, one for each side at each frame location. Bend at life line down to deck. Support this bend with a brace piece. Insert rubber stoppers in conduit at deck to avoid scratches. Connect into ridge piece couplings. Add 2 lengths of 1 x 3 strapping both side attached to frame. Use conduit clamps screwed to strapping. Add cover of choice. BobD Boston
Rick, Use 3/4 or 1" EMT (light) conduit will last forever. Use long straight pieces for ridge, connect with couplings, bend aound mast. Off ridge use 10-12" bent (angle) pieces with couplings on each end for each location you want to place a frame. 30 ft boat 5 or 6 frames. The angle of the bend will be determined by the boat beam at each frame location, appx 60-75 degrees. Frame pieces, one for each side at each frame location. Bend at life line down to deck. Support this bend with a brace piece. Insert rubber stoppers in conduit at deck to avoid scratches. Connect into ridge piece couplings. Add 2 lengths of 1 x 3 strapping both side attached to frame. Use conduit clamps screwed to strapping. Add cover of choice. BobD Boston
Boat cover framed of PVC
Hey Rick, if building out of pvc or conduit, try inserting wood dowling on say any pieces over 4 ft, it will strenghten and alivate sagging a bit. Danny
Hey Rick, if building out of pvc or conduit, try inserting wood dowling on say any pieces over 4 ft, it will strenghten and alivate sagging a bit. Danny
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