Winter Cover

[cobblestone1820]

We have a 20' Bennington Pontoon and want to get a cover / tarp that goes over top of our regular snap down cover just for the winter. We are thinking about just getting one of those blue tarps that they sell at the discount stores. We have support poles on our snap down cover so what size blue tarp should I purchase? Should I buy a cover that encloses the toons or one that stops just above them ? I also have a seperate cover for the 90 HP Honda motor. Thank you .

[Coldbrew]

This one is 20' x 30' and it was plenty big for my 20 footer. Got it at Ocean State Job Lots for $60. They also have good prices at Harbor Freight.



Mine is on a frame, not over the cover.



**Apparently images are still not working, but the pictures just show what I described.**

[cobblestone1820]

Thank you cold brew, I was thinking about a 20' x 30' and u confirmed it.

[zoraduntov]

Hey Coldbrew,

I am currently trying to design a Tarp frame for a 24 foot Premier. It needs to handle a snow load. Judging by your location you also deal with snow. Does the pitch keep snow from accumulating on the Tarp? I was looking at using pvc for the frame. I like your use of rope for the "ribs" on the frame. It looks like it would be easier to construct rather measuring and cutting pcv pipe.

[Coldbrew]

The frame I'm using is the one a marina made a couple of years ago when I had my boat shrink wrapped. I took a picture of how they had it secured and just mimicked it with rope instead of the fiber strapping. We had a very mild winter last year so I don't know how well it's going to handle a good snow load, but what we did have last year pretty much slid right off. I'm going to do two things different this year. I'm going to re-inforce where the tarp hits the bimini because it tore through the sharp edges and I'm going to put some type of wrap on the pontoons where the tarp rubs. It left a few minor scuff marks that I had to buff out.

The frame was made with carriage bolts so it folds up nice for summer storage.

[zoraduntov]

I like the carriage bolt idea. My pontoon is in Northern Minnesota so I have the potential for lots of snow. How tall is the frame? Did you Tee the frame verticals at the bottom?

[Coldbrew]

My frame is 70" high by 10' long. I would think since that is 50 percent of the length of my boat you might want to make yours 12' long. I don't have it 't'ed at the bottom. As long as the ropes are nice and tight it stands up fine.

Good Luck!

[ROLAND]

My neighbor was going to help me build a frame a year back when I thought about bringing the boat home from storage.... he's very handy (me, not so much) and he suggested we build the frame out of PVC pipe... not heavy, cost effective and can be modified easily.... If I ever do bring her home we're gonna do that...

[ralph]

Guys. I ran across this frame system this morning, Kover Klamp. I am wondering of anyone uses this and how you like it? I'm almost sold on sending away for it.

http://www.koverklampframes.com/boat_cover_framing.html#

Let me know.

[jimbo21165]

[quote="ROLAND"]My neighbor was going to help me build a frame a year back when I thought about bringing the boat home from storage.... he's very handy (me, not so much) and he suggested we build the frame out of PVC pipe... not heavy, cost effective and can be modified easily.... If I ever do bring her home we're gonna do that...[/quote]


That's my cover system..........pvc pipe bent in an arc to make a quonset hut looking cover with a 20x30 tarp.

[Gonefishing]

Ralph,
I don't have the system but after viewing it and checking out the video it definitely looks like something I would invest in.

[ralph]

[quote="Gonefishing"]Ralph,
I don't have the system but after viewing it and checking out the video it definitely looks like something I would invest in.[/quote]

I'm thinking real hard on it Bob. I could buy PVC pipe but knowing me I'd make a mess out of it. Also, the Kover Klamp system looks easy to store too.

[Coldbrew]

I'm no engineer, but I'm not that thrilled with that system attaching to the top of the fence. The pitch isn't very steep which means that a heavy snow will most likely sit on there for a while pushing the fence outward. Not sure what effect that would have long term.

Am I overthinking it?

[ralph]

I bought the Kover Klamp system late last week. I should receive it today or tomorrow.

The owner, Pat, asked a number of questions about my boat to make sure that what I was buying would cover it securely and safely.

For the front gate, to where one of the clamps would fit, he suggested that I use a block of wood under it for support (I was going to do something like that anyway). I probably will do this for all of the fence although I think there are supports under it anyway.

I bought the whole system, hardware, cover, clips to hold the cover in place, and 750' of poly banding to tie it down that will last me many winters. The whole package was about $450 which will pay for itself when I cover it next winter since shrink wrapping was about $250 per year. The conduit I have to buy will get me close to $500 but still covers the 2 years of shrink wrap cost.

I'll be taking pics that I'll attach for you guys.

[zoraduntov]

This is my first attempt at posting photos.