Winter Cover

[Para]

There always seems to be this 'belly' in any boat cover (on a dual console) about half way between the helm and the transom, I made a 'strut' out of 2X4s to hold the cover up so that everything is like a roof and water rolls off as opposed to collecting. If you dont do this you can have some HUGE puddles inside your boat. I theory you just leave it and the water evaporates in the spring I guess....but I dont roll that way.

[SkunkBoat]

I use 1" grey electrical pvc tubing. Put one end in gunnel rod holder, bend it into the rod holder on the other side.

[Destroyer]

I took 1" EMT (Pipe used for running electrical wires) and used my hicky (pipe bender) to bend a curve in the one end. That mates into a 1' x 4" x 4" that has a 1" hole bored most of the way through it. The rest of the pipe goes up and over the windshield and all the way to the stern just over the engine. Two build them yourself sawhorses hold the pipe up in the middle and at the end. I use a pool noodle that i slit lengthwise that I place over the top of the windshield and overhang the corners about an inch so there are no sharp corners to pierce the tarp. then I put the VisQueen over the whole thing and then the tarp. Draw the whole thing tight with the steel cable that comes with the pool cover then tie the grommets to the trailer frame so there's no puckering. Never have had a problem with snow, water intrusion or wind lifting the tarp up and off.

[inaforty]

Thanks for the link Destroyer.
We order a cover for our 29' Stamas Express.
She should be coming home this week from getting the exhaust kits done.

[Destroyer]

Sweet looking boat Barry.

[inaforty]

Thanks Destroyer
We looked hard at the Grady Marlin and 29 Wellcraft.
The Stamas has better access to all the systems which is important to me.
The ride is surprisingly quite good considering it doesn't have a deep V and I'm comparing it to our 35 Bertram which was a beast.

[bgreene]

I use bungee cords to the tarp grommets - rain never gets through. Only watch out is for heavy snow but still doesn***8217;t push through.
Downside is the tarp lasts 1 year max

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by bgreene

I use bungee cords to the tarp grommets - rain never gets through. Only watch out is for heavy snow but still doesn***8217;t push through.
Downside is the tarp lasts 1 year max

Greenie, we're in the same state. I know you get a little different weather pattern than me because of our locations, but for the most part we get the same weather. Get yourself an oval winter pool cover. NOT the 8 or 10 year type. The weave is too thin. Get the one that's warranted for 15 years. They cost about $65 give or take. They will probably not last the full 15 years but I guarantee they will last several seasons. I'm on my 6th year on one that's on my V21 boat and it's still like new,and the 3rd year on the one on my Airslot. My V20 has shrink wrap on it so I cannot comment on that one. Seriously though. They really are worth the money. They come with a vinyl coated steel cable and winch that draws the whole thing tight around the bottom. You can attach your bungee cords anywhere along that cable to tighten specific areas. I don't know what you are paying for your tarps right now but I know they are expensive. Look at it this way... what have you got to lose?

[bgreene]

Thanks but to me keeping water out is 1/2 the purpose of cover.....the other is sun protection.

I cover my boat after each use so having to fuss with two covers would be a hassle.