Stanchion Work

[Ross]

Roger, Thank you for a good explaination. We can always load a system to the point of failure but we certainly don't need to compromize the system for a minor convenience. I should think that lashing pvc frames to the stanchions would provide support for a winter cover if a little careful planning went into the project.

 

[Rich (P303)]

Roger, Thank you for a good explaination. We can always load a system to the point of failure but we certainly don't need to compromize the system for a minor convenience. I should think that lashing pvc frames to the stanchions would provide support for a winter cover if a little careful planning went into the project.

I use strapping on edge... and some non-seamen type knots on the top of the stanchion and life lines to hold it up.

 

[MKirk51]

Stanchions

Thanks for all the valuable input folks. Sorry it took so long getting back. Holidays.
After reading all your contributions and giving it some more thought, it sounds like there's a lot more strength with the stanchion welded to the base than the separate stanchion and base setup. Safety first is my motto, especially when others are involved, so it looks like I'll leave well enough alone.
One of the other reasons I was giving this some thought is because of the stanchions in the photos. (Pardon the poor light and my shaky hands). As you can see (hopefully) two of them have been bent, one severely. I'm not too worried about the angle of the bend, but I do want to get the bases flat again so they make a good seal. Between that and sometimes seeing a pool of ice around some of the stanchions from leakage in the openings of the cover (I hate winter thaws), I came up with the idea behind this thread. It seemed like a pretty decent idea last week. Plus, even though I've seen a lot of variations in base shapes and angles, finding that will work on the pulpits might be tough. So I think I'll put those boat bucks in the kitty and maybe have the cover modified to go over the top of the life lines some other day. I wish I'd been around to suggest that to the PO when the cover was first made. Oh well.
By the way, my thanks again to Maine Sail. I followed his advice when I rebedded my winches and portlights, I now have solid electrical connections for my new mast lights and VHF, and the topsides and deck shine like new. Coming soon are the new thru-hulls. And my thanks again to all who responded.