DIY: Boat Cover (or tarp) Support

[H2oWerker]

I got my 1st boat a few weeks ago. Put it in the water once (wont go into detail about that debacle) and BAILED THE WATER OUT OF THE BOAT COVER ONCE...

I must say "that really sucks" to have to bail water out of the cover that keeps water out of a boat. Considering the boat is generally Water-Proof and has a drain. It almost makes the cover seem unnecessary. Sure they make support poles for such things, and they were right there in the same store isle I found the cover in. They're pricey. And what's the fun in that when I think I can make something better out of PVC.

Off to the home improvement store for some supplies.

Here's the shopping list: (Note: This is for a 12 foot boat)
(3) 1/2"x10' SCH-40 PVC
(5) 1-1/2" SCH-40 PVC "T"-fittings
(6) 1-1/2" -to- 1/2" SCH-40 PVC Reducer Bushings
(2) 1/2" SCH-40 PVC "4-way" fittings
(2) 1/2" SCH-40 PVC "T"-fittings
(1) 1/2" SCH-40 PVC 90* elbow
(1) 1-1/2" SCH-40 PVC straight coupling
(1) small can of PVC cement
(1) small can of PVC primer (this is optional I used brake cleaner hehehe)

I started out by cutting (3) 48" lengths of pipe for the "spine", and (4) 30" lengths for the "ribs". Then I cut away sections of the 1-1/2" T-fittings so they could "grab" the sides of the hull, and glued a reducer bushing into each of them.
I opted to start at the front of the boat and work rearward. Fitting the 1st section of the spine was the easiest. Just glue a 48" section into the T-fitting that fits the bow and a 4-way fitting onto the other end. Simple.
Now lets get the front "ribs" in. I knew I was going to need to bend the "ribs"... Yeah the pipe is flexible but not enough to allow the fittings to align and slip together. (this does need to be disassembled and stored remember) But how?! A conduit bender! It did gouge the PVC some but ended up doing a decent job of making tight bends. I slipped them int the T-fitting on the spine and let them sit on the sides.


Here's where all hell breaks loose cutting and fitting.

I glued the other 4-way fitting onto the rear section, slipped the center section in between the front/rear sections, and the other 2 "ribs into their prospective places in the "spine". I don't remember how I temporarily supported this loose assembly. But I do recall it being VERY wobbly, and the wind having some fun w/ me during this process.

At this point I could see that the center, rear, and all the "rib" sections were going to need to be shortened. I marked the center section where I wanted to add a leg to support the spine and rest on the middle seat, and added a T-fitting there. I cut some of the excess length off that piece and started marking the "ribs" and cutting/fitting them. When I was satisfied w/ the way things were fitting I marked/cut the rearward spine section to fit the 90* elbow and supported it on a single leg w/ the 1-1/2" coupling sitting in the center hole of the transom support.

Could it be better? Sure. But I'm happy w/ the results.

YMMV

[Clean PG]

that's pretty ingenious is it strictly for storing purposes then? how much do you think you spent on the entire project?

[H2oWerker]

Strictly storage. I'll try to dig up the receipts and see what the cost was.


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[FlashRedGLS1.8T]

[WakusPakus]

that sick! i've been trying to find a way to keep the rain off my cover - i've tried it all, from buckets on the seats to the ol' tennis ball on the top of a pole standing up - this is sweet!

[H2oWerker]

how much do you think you spent on the entire project?

Unless I missed something (there are multiple receipts and some return receipts plus misc. items cause I changed the plan 1/2way through) it totaled out at $43.23 Including the bungee cords not pictured w/ tax.

that sick! i've been trying to find a way to keep the rain off my cover - i've tried it all, from buckets on the seats to the ol' tennis ball on the top of a pole standing up - this is sweet!

Thanks. And I'm glad I could help.

I also thought I should've used the 2 old camera tri-pods taking up space in my basement w/ a board across them as a cover support. I didn't think of that till the skeletal structure was complete though. If you have some old tripods laying around give them a shot before spending the $40 on this....

[Clean PG]

Unless I missed something (there are multiple receipts and some return receipts plus misc. items cause I changed the plan 1/2way through) it totaled out at $43.23 Including the bungee cords not pictured w/ tax.

that's awesome, great work

[Jonesy02719]

Awesome! I just ordered a bunch of the canopy fittings from Creative Shelters to do this. I wish I had seen this post before I ordered, though the design in my head was very similar to yours.

I have a 15' Boston Whaler with a dual console. the windshields on the consoles, coupled with the bow rails make it very difficult to make a cover. The small PVC is ideal. All I want to do is keep leaves and rain out while I'm not using my boat. My winter cover is made with wood and can handle a snow load - something I clearly don't need for summer.

[kamzcab86]

Clever! I initially used PVC for my pontoon boat cover, and I've currently got a PVC frame under my pedal boat's cover.

I also thought I should've used the 2 old camera tri-pods taking up space in my basement w/ a board across them as a cover support.

That's exactly what's under my pontoon boat cover now, minus the board. They work great!