I read a post a few weeks ago about building a winter frame but now I cant find it...Ive also searched the archives and the internet. Does anyoneone have any links or photos of winter frames and tarp systems??..either out of pvc or the old framing 2x2 and wing nut method.....looking for photos. Thanks Rob
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Webbing Frame?
I have given this a lot of thought. I am moving from a 22 to a 29 foot so will need some more support. I have seen a number of different designs, most using some type of wood or PVC for the ridgepole and the angled side frames. Would it work to instead use rope to make a webbing support for tarp. Run a 2-3" PVC down the center as a ridgepole. Then with 1/4" nylon line make a webbing support. From port stanchion go over ridgepole down to starboard stanchion then up and over ridgepole again and so on. Then just stretch the tarp over this web and secure under the hull with a crisscross pattern. With this method the web can be snugged pretty tight and holds the ridgepole down. Gives a nice steep angle to shed snow too. Also flexible so will give in wind etc. Thoughts, anyone tried this?
I have given this a lot of thought. I am moving from a 22 to a 29 foot so will need some more support. I have seen a number of different designs, most using some type of wood or PVC for the ridgepole and the angled side frames. Would it work to instead use rope to make a webbing support for tarp. Run a 2-3" PVC down the center as a ridgepole. Then with 1/4" nylon line make a webbing support. From port stanchion go over ridgepole down to starboard stanchion then up and over ridgepole again and so on. Then just stretch the tarp over this web and secure under the hull with a crisscross pattern. With this method the web can be snugged pretty tight and holds the ridgepole down. Gives a nice steep angle to shed snow too. Also flexible so will give in wind etc. Thoughts, anyone tried this?
Archive
I posted the question in early October and recevd some god responses. Go to Archive and type in Winter Cover Frame. I just hauled yesterday and will be doinf the frame next week I'll let you know how I make out.
I posted the question in early October and recevd some god responses. Go to Archive and type in Winter Cover Frame. I just hauled yesterday and will be doinf the frame next week I'll let you know how I make out.
Web frame...
On my old H34 I had a pre-fabbed wooden frame that used sloping 2 x 3's down from a ridge pole to short posts that were tied to the stanchions. I then basically constructed a spider's web (using clothes line cord) that went diagonally both ways between the ridge pole and the stanchions at each section with a horizontal line that connected the crossover points. It provided good support for the tarp when tensionned, and stopped water/snow pockets from forming.
On my old H34 I had a pre-fabbed wooden frame that used sloping 2 x 3's down from a ridge pole to short posts that were tied to the stanchions. I then basically constructed a spider's web (using clothes line cord) that went diagonally both ways between the ridge pole and the stanchions at each section with a horizontal line that connected the crossover points. It provided good support for the tarp when tensionned, and stopped water/snow pockets from forming.
Consider DIY Shrink Wrap
Last year I purchased the Dr. Shrink propane gun and all the bits and pieces and shrink wrapped my 42' Pearson 422. Took me two days (the real problem was working arround the mast) but I think I can do it in one day this time around. Way, way cheaper than having the yard do it. Should cost me about $120 for materials this year. The advantage is that it lasted perfectly all through a harsh winter. The disadvantage is that even with recycling it seems to be wasteful *box
Last year I purchased the Dr. Shrink propane gun and all the bits and pieces and shrink wrapped my 42' Pearson 422. Took me two days (the real problem was working arround the mast) but I think I can do it in one day this time around. Way, way cheaper than having the yard do it. Should cost me about $120 for materials this year. The advantage is that it lasted perfectly all through a harsh winter. The disadvantage is that even with recycling it seems to be wasteful *box
Moisture
I have read a number of posts about shrink wrapping. My biggest concern is the waste, I could not throw that much out every year. I have also read it is so tight that it can get quite humid inside the boat, nothing can dry out. I was understanding a tarp is best if only because it allows some air exchange.
I have read a number of posts about shrink wrapping. My biggest concern is the waste, I could not throw that much out every year. I have also read it is so tight that it can get quite humid inside the boat, nothing can dry out. I was understanding a tarp is best if only because it allows some air exchange.
Tim: On recycling
Tim - Installing vents in the wrap is very important. I used 8 last year. They cost about $2 each and can be reused. My yard insists on recycling all scrap plastic; dumping it in the dumpsters is forbidden. Dr. Shrink sells prepaid shipping bags for the used wrap at about $11 each. (The yard sells the same thing for $16.) It took two bags for my boat.
Tim - Installing vents in the wrap is very important. I used 8 last year. They cost about $2 each and can be reused. My yard insists on recycling all scrap plastic; dumping it in the dumpsters is forbidden. Dr. Shrink sells prepaid shipping bags for the used wrap at about $11 each. (The yard sells the same thing for $16.) It took two bags for my boat.
Hope this helps.... BTW ~ 1" PVC is way too big. Make sure you use center supports. Ducktape anything sharp that may come in contact with the cover.
Thanks Everyone
Thanks everyone, Richard that last photo said it all thank you. This weekend is suppose to be great so we are heading down tommorrow night sailing Sat and Sunday then home Sunday night . Next week end its off to start winterizing.....seams early this year but we are off for vacation during thanksgiving 3 weeks in Hawaii !!!! Ill be thinking of you all. Thanks Rob
Thanks everyone, Richard that last photo said it all thank you. This weekend is suppose to be great so we are heading down tommorrow night sailing Sat and Sunday then home Sunday night . Next week end its off to start winterizing.....seams early this year but we are off for vacation during thanksgiving 3 weeks in Hawaii !!!! Ill be thinking of you all. Thanks Rob
Good Old Boat magazine
The latest issue of Good Old Boat has an excellent article on building a wooden frame using 2X3 Spruce strapping. I just built one for my 33.5 yesterday. The work went faster with a helper, and ended up taking a day from start to finish. The frame has a high ridge pole, so the snow will just slip right off. I placed my rafters 2-feet apart rather then the 3-feet suggested. It was a fun project.
The latest issue of Good Old Boat has an excellent article on building a wooden frame using 2X3 Spruce strapping. I just built one for my 33.5 yesterday. The work went faster with a helper, and ended up taking a day from start to finish. The frame has a high ridge pole, so the snow will just slip right off. I placed my rafters 2-feet apart rather then the 3-feet suggested. It was a fun project.
Frame using boom
This is my 4th season with my home made frame and cover. Original cost <$500. I use Velcro to secure short wood pieces to the boom after wrapping a rubber matt to protect the boom and make the joint stronger. I use hinges to connect them to 3x1 ribs. I made a cover in 3 pieces that I roll over the frame and connect to each other also with Velcro. Total operation mounting the frame and cover takes my son and I no more that 2 hours. I can e-mail more pictures of the cover if interested. Tomorrow my boat is coming out of the water and hopefully will be covered by the end of the day.
This is my 4th season with my home made frame and cover. Original cost <$500. I use Velcro to secure short wood pieces to the boom after wrapping a rubber matt to protect the boom and make the joint stronger. I use hinges to connect them to 3x1 ribs. I made a cover in 3 pieces that I roll over the frame and connect to each other also with Velcro. Total operation mounting the frame and cover takes my son and I no more that 2 hours. I can e-mail more pictures of the cover if interested. Tomorrow my boat is coming out of the water and hopefully will be covered by the end of the day.
Stanchions as frame supports
Using stanchions as supports for winter covers is not considered good practice around here. Snow accumulating on the cover can get very heavy, and end up torquing the stanchions. While they may not rip out of the deck, (though they might, with a few hundred pounds of snow levering a 30" stanchion.) it can put a lot of stress on the fastenings, causing them to loosen and let moisture in. That freezes, and you have a major hull/deck joint problem. We rig free-standing uprights and rafters for our frame so that they rest on the boat, but don't have the opportunity to twist anything open.
Using stanchions as supports for winter covers is not considered good practice around here. Snow accumulating on the cover can get very heavy, and end up torquing the stanchions. While they may not rip out of the deck, (though they might, with a few hundred pounds of snow levering a 30" stanchion.) it can put a lot of stress on the fastenings, causing them to loosen and let moisture in. That freezes, and you have a major hull/deck joint problem. We rig free-standing uprights and rafters for our frame so that they rest on the boat, but don't have the opportunity to twist anything open.
Smaller boat winter frame,
such as a 1980 C22. I remove the stanchions & stern pulpit as they just slip out of their sockets. Use the mast as the ridge pole. Install wooden frames on each side of the mast over the cockpit only, to support the tarps. I lift the boat & slip the tarps in between the hull & the trailer bunks to keep them taut. This set up provides enough slope to shed the snow.
such as a 1980 C22. I remove the stanchions & stern pulpit as they just slip out of their sockets. Use the mast as the ridge pole. Install wooden frames on each side of the mast over the cockpit only, to support the tarps. I lift the boat & slip the tarps in between the hull & the trailer bunks to keep them taut. This set up provides enough slope to shed the snow.
Made that mistake !
We made the mistake of running strapping around the outside of the stanchions one year to form part of frame for the cover and the end result was one broken stanchion, pole broke at weld to base, and one bent stanchion base. We won't make that mistake again.
We made the mistake of running strapping around the outside of the stanchions one year to form part of frame for the cover and the end result was one broken stanchion, pole broke at weld to base, and one bent stanchion base. We won't make that mistake again.
Winter Cover
Don't get fancy...... Use the mast as a "ridge pole" If you can't use the mast as a ridge pole, buy a lenght or two of plastic pipe. "Cris-Cross" lines (rope) over the mast at the cockpit, tie off to form a tent. Cover the entire boat with a "blue tarp" and tie off at the bottom crossing under the boat. This method works real well as it lets lots of air move in and around the boat. Boat shrink wrapping is a real rip off! Good Luck!
Don't get fancy...... Use the mast as a "ridge pole" If you can't use the mast as a ridge pole, buy a lenght or two of plastic pipe. "Cris-Cross" lines (rope) over the mast at the cockpit, tie off to form a tent. Cover the entire boat with a "blue tarp" and tie off at the bottom crossing under the boat. This method works real well as it lets lots of air move in and around the boat. Boat shrink wrapping is a real rip off! Good Luck!
OUR SNOW FRAME
We used 1 inch PVC pipe to make a skeleton and covered it with a white tarp. We had a long and very snowy winter last year and it came out fine. Did it again this year. Total cost $125.
We used 1 inch PVC pipe to make a skeleton and covered it with a white tarp. We had a long and very snowy winter last year and it came out fine. Did it again this year. Total cost $125.
about shrinkwrap
Tim is right about shrinkwrap being totally wasteful but we did shrink wrap our 28 footer for 2 years and we had a bone dry boat when it was uncovered in the spring. Joanie
Tim is right about shrinkwrap being totally wasteful but we did shrink wrap our 28 footer for 2 years and we had a bone dry boat when it was uncovered in the spring. Joanie
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