Need Advice - Cheap Boat Cover Ideas

[BigWaterBigFish]

So I got the boat, and it's all set up nice and all but I have to store it outside (no garage or carport where I'm renting) and ran out of money for a top of the line boat cover (plus Fisherman's and the like say it'll take weeks to get one order and shipped). So what would you do if you had an 18 1/2' Walkaround Cutty boat to keep the rain, pine needles, neighbors cat and the like out of it. Have a tarp over it now but it sags and I bailed out about 30 gallons last night. Thought about making a PVC frame of sort with the old standard blue tarping (I'll have to apologize to the neighbors for the eyesore). Any thought or suggestions? I checked into one of those free standing carport things at Costco ... not quite big enough and the landlord won't allow something like it.

[Mojo]

I used a blue tarp, and some 2X4s as a frame to keep it from filling up with water.

[You Betcha]

I would go to Kmart for a boat cover. Under $100 and they last as long as the more expensive ones. I run a 2x4 from the bow to my console and it sheds water just fine. It's color is grey so the boat doesn't stand out, for all the thieves cruising aroung looking for something to steal.

[ 12-13-2002, 06:37 PM: Message edited by: You Betcha ]

[KENAIDOG]

I would also try Overton's mail-order. I have bought several covers from them. They are good qaulity universal type covers at a real reasonable price. I'm not sure, but i think you can find them online at Overtons.com. Good luck

[pirk fan]

I used about 10 steel fence posts and five 20 foot lengths of 1" pvc to build "boat shrines" over the boats. Drive the fence posts, use ubolt clamps to arch the pvc between posts, add some stringers (I used bamboo for this as it is ridgid but light). Then stretch the a poly tarp over the whole mess. Wrapping areas that are rough with duct tape and chunks of scrap carpeting helps keep the wind from wearing a hole in the tarp. Plan on replacing the tarp about once a year (20 X 30 foot tarp is on sale at Bi-Mart right now for 19.99). The beauty of the whole arrangement is that the boat is always ready to go, no cover to remove. One of my wife's friends thought that from the front they kind of look like a shrine - i think that's appropriate. Doesn't add to your property tax base (or the appearance of your yard for that matter)

[Green Machine]

For a cheap solution, I would have to agree with tarps. I have noticed there are a couple of different types and strengths. The standard blue are a little weak at the grometts. The blue reinforced with a "silver" lining seems to be stronger :grin: I like the idea of using 2x4's as a frame, much stronger than PVC. Plus as a timber industry employee, we have to get the wood sold somehow!! :tongue: To tie it down, old sturgeon weights work fairly well and are not too noticable. Good luck.

[CAGEY]

Use the tarps. Expensive boat covers soon disintergrate from sun damage. A tarp depending on size needed is good for two or three years. I have a 16 footer with walkithru windshield. I drape the tarp over and secure with bungi cords. Make sure air can circulate thru the boat and you will have no problems. One word of caution. Place and secure a cloth over the engine as the tarp will shift and work and rub paint off of your motor. You can also make some props to place inside the boat to hold the tarp up so the rain will run off. 2x2 with carpet on the bottom and the top work just fine. I did this with my 19' Trophy and never had a problem. Make sure you keep the bow raised high and the plug out.

[ 12-14-2002, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: CAGEY ]