Winter Cover using 1/2" tubing

[Russ]

I stole this idea from a facebook group user and think it will work well.
Previous years I've used 1/2" PVC pipe. This has worked well, however, the PVC pipe didn't like to bend and was hard to keep attached.
I would use duct tape to attach it to the stanchion and lifelines. I'd wrap the stanchion with a paper towel first to keep the duct tape from sticking to the stanchion. (see 1st pic below)
I would wrap scraps of old carpet around anything pointy that would rub on the tarp.

This has worked well, but the PVC doesn't like to bend and in some places there is nowhere to attach it. Nevertheless, it worked well

Previous Years



This year I stumbled on what I believe is a better method from another owner.

Using 1/2" tubing from box store I made the frame. I found it in the lawn irrigation isle for ~$40 for 100'. This stuff is easier to work with yet fairly stiff.
I cut each piece to custom length so the piece comes over the rub rail. I then drilled holes in the ends and attached them to the Trailer to hold in place. I used paracord to attach them above deck to the mast and stanchions so they wouldn't move with friction from the tarp. This created a nice tent for the cover.
A large block of wood under the mast step reinforces the mast from bending.

Here are some pics I lifted from the FB page.












My Tarp is larger, 30x20 and comes down to the waterline. I then lace it like a sneaker with the tarp gromets under the trailer with 1/4 line to hold it in place.
I labeled each of the tubes so next year I can install the whole system faster.








The boat is pointing toward prevailing winds and weather. The tarp is closed in the bow to keep moisture out. The aft is open to allow for some air to get in and allow moisture to escape if necessary.
The solar panel extends out of the tarp and will keep the batteries topped up over the winter. I may angle the solar panel down more to help shed snow.

I'm optimistic this method will be superior to the PVC pipes I used in past years. When coming to check on the boat over the winter, I'd almost always find some of the PVC pipes popped out trying to return to their natural straight form.
Attaching the tubes to the Trailer also gives me infinite attachment points and allows MORE tubes to be used as ribs for the frame.

The admiral has asked, why do you need to tarp the boat, It gets wet all summer long?
In my opinion, the primary reason is to keep water off the deck from seeping into deck fittings, freezing, and then creating leaks that we will see in the summer when it rains.
The tarp also protects the headsail that I leave on and UV from the deck and hull.

I'll report back after some snow loads to see how it holds up.

[mac n cheese]

Nice work Russ. I winter my boat in British Columbia where the snow pack can get heavy at times so it has been a challenge for me. My setup now is almost identical to yours with irrigation tubing drilled on the ends and attached to the stanchions with cheap dollar store paracord. I number them all as they are all different lengths. I simply cutoff the cords in the spring. Extending the tubing and tying it to the trailer is a good idea too. I also use a couple V notched 2X4's under the mast. The hard points on the stanchions or other areas such as the mast light are taped with a cut up pool noodle which has eliminated most chafing and holes that will surely shorten the life of the tarp.

I also stopped using the cheaper China fiber tarps. They chafe easier and tend to get thinner from the UV after only a year or two. I went to a heavier
PVC tarpaulin which is a plastic-coated high-strength polyester waterproof cloth based on high-strength polyester canvas. Similar to what the big trucks use but thinner. It's 200 denier I believe. It's held up now for 3 years and but it can still thin out from the stanchion hard points pool noodle setup (no holes yet) and I apply a quality fiber duct tape at those chafe areas in the spring where I can see any light come through. I went through a lot of cheap China tarps before I came up with this setup. Their are two tarps in the pic. The aft one covers 2 thirds.

[Russ]

Mac and cheese, that description is very similar to what I did. I found some thin flexible foam packing bits and tied them to chaff points like the mast light and headstay tang. I also used some cheap paracord for the job. The stuff is easy to work with and ties the irrigation tubes to the stanchions tight.

Interesting PVC tarpaulin you are using. Where did you get that?
I just bought a heavy duty tarp from the ranch supply store.

We can get heavy snow loads also. I've tarped the boat for years with regular PVC pipes. They often slipped out and were hard to fasten. One year, I came to check on the boat and the 2x4 block under the mast step had popped out and the mast was mashed down to the deck. My thought was, "I'm buying a new mast". I dumped the heavy snow and ice off and the mast popped back up. I was so relieved.

I've gotten several years out of a tarp IF...IF I protect it from puncture points. But you are right, the cheap ones do get UV damage and weathered.

[mac n cheese]

My tarp was purchased at Princess Auto here in Canada similar to your Harbor Freight in the USA.
Link here...https://www.princessauto.com/en/16-x-20 ... 0008924599 Again it's a 200 denier
9 mil tarp. Obviously the more heavier duty the tarps are...is that they can get heavy when man handling them on to the boat. I'm able to do mine and get it on by myself providing their is no wind. The tarps do tend to slide on and off like butter over those irrigation PVC pipes. Yeah...they come off easy with one tug.
Harbor Freight appears to carry something similar but heavier with a 12 mil thickness.
https://www.harborfreight.com/lawn-gard ... 59273.html

[Russ]

Harbor Freight was out of that size when I went. So I ended up at the Ranch Supply House and got a heavy duty tarp for US$110

[dlandersson]

Very neat

I stole this idea from a facebook group user and think it will work well.
Previous years I've used 1/2" PVC pipe. This has worked well, however, the PVC pipe didn't like to bend and was hard to keep attached.
I would use duct tape to attach it to the stanchion and lifelines. I'd wrap the stanchion with a paper towel first to keep the duct tape from sticking to the stanchion. (see 1st pic below)
I would wrap scraps of old carpet around anything pointy that would rub on the tarp.

This has worked well, but the PVC doesn't like to bend and in some places there is nowhere to attach it. Nevertheless, it worked well

[BOAT]

I use the cheap harbor freight green camo tarp for about 30 bucks it covers the entire boat. Because it's cheap the sun ruins it in about 2 years so I get a new one every two years. The same sun that is destroying the plastic tarp and turning it into powder every two years is the same sun that turns your black racoon stripe gray. By sacrificing the cheap tarp I have preserved the black stripes.

[PhysicsTeacher]

I do something very similar, but . . .
--rather than use 2x4 or PVC to support the mast in the middle, I just wedge a 5 gallon bucket underneath the mast right above the mast plate. You'll find it fits in there almost perfectly (at least on an X) . . .
-- to prevent chafing between the tarp and any sharp points on the mast, I just purchase the cheap foam knee pads from the dollar store. They come with an elastic Velcro strap. I put one on either end of the mast, where the furler attaches to the mast, and where my steaming light sticks out from the mast. It's low tech, but it's cheap and it works.

[Be Free]

I do something very similar, but . . .
--rather than use 2x4 or PVC to support the mast in the middle, I just wedge a 5 gallon bucket underneath the mast right above the mast plate. You'll find it fits in there almost perfectly (at least on an X) . . .
-- to prevent chafing between the tarp and any sharp points on the mast, I just purchase the cheap foam knee pads from the dollar store. They come with an elastic Velcro strap. I put one on either end of the mast, where the furler attaches to the mast, and where my steaming light sticks out from the mast. It's low tech, but it's cheap and it works.

Using knee pads sounds interesting. I've used tennis balls sliced to fit over the tops of the stanchions but they still manage to work their way off with enough wind. Knee pads with Velcro may do the trick.