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Russ's cover is an excellent cost effective boat cover. I implemented it last year and really appreciate his suggestions. It also has the advantage that you can still get to the interior of the boat for projects by unwrapping the cover at the stern. Snow alone was never a problem, but occasionally the snow would melt and freeze at night in low recessed areas, then more snow and process would repeat resulting in an overloading ice in some areas collapsing the PVC pipe support. Simple fix was just to get under the plastic and push the ice free and straighten the PVC back in place. Problem tended to occur most frequently in the front half of the boat. Thinking this year I will try doubling the PVC pipe on the three front support hoops.

Thankyouverymuch.

How many PVC pipes - and what lengths do you use?

RussMT wrote:Once covered, I lace the whole thing up under the trailer like a shoe. My roller furler sticks out the bow and I cover that with several garbage bags. In the photo above, I took it off, but I don't do that anymore.

dlandersson wrote:Thankyouverymuch.

How many PVC pipes - and what lengths do you use?

I don't recall how many, maybe 5 or 6 pipes standard 1/2" PVC 10' length from the hardware store. Cost about $1.50 each.
Just bend them into an arch. At first they are very tight so you might need an assistant.

Others have used grey electrical conduit pipe. That might be easier to work with.

Really, you just have to climb up there and get creative. I had a PVC pipe pop out of its footing in a wind storm. It still did the job and kept the cover tented.

I have two thoughts to add to the previous comments:

First, I support the mast in the middle (at the mast step) with a notched 4x4. I have heard stories about the snow load bending the mast (and it would be a fatal "reverse" bend). Maybe overkill, but once made it only takes a few minutes to instert between the mast and the step.

Second, over the years I have used a single tarp and also three separate smaller tarps. I found the three separate tarps were easier to fasten down and fit the boat better. Over ten years I have used two separate tarp "systems" and am christening a third this season. This is about a five year life for the tarps.

Bill

RussMT wrote:The PVC tubes work great with a cheapo tarp. I'm going on year 4 now. I think this is the last year for it but I don't have much invested.

What is the blue tubing by the padlock latch?

Looks like either mouse sealer or something to bang your head against when frustrated with your stock sails...