Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

[WindyWillowSong]

1966 Shell Lake 12' Runabout v-hull w/ windshield ('58 Evinrude 35 HP)
Last winter we covered the boat from a cover purchased at fleet farm (generic cover for 14-16 foot runabout). We put an extenter pole made of plastic in the center of the boat, and we had problems with the sides near the back pooling water(then to ice), creating a small tear in the cover. We would like to figure out a way to try to eliviate this problem this coming winter. I was thinking of purchaseing a strap system they sell at Cabela's where straps attach from the front of the boat to the rear, and is supported by a extending pole in the middle. Has anyone used these, do they work? Or does anyone have a suggestion of things I could use?
Thanks for your help!

 

[vipzach]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

I have not used the straps before, so no advice on those. I have blown up a beach ball and put in the front seats on my boat to help support the cover and prevent pooling water. I have also heard of people using their tubes to accomplish the same thing. My boat will probly be left outside this winter :'( so I will be interested to here about the straps.

 

[salty87]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

i've never tried the strap and pole set-up. i use a pole for mine and depending on how well i put it all up, i end up with pools sometimes too. do you have straps to secure the cover to the trailer? i've never found the elastic bands that come with some all-puprose covers to hold tight enough.

you could probably make some pvc supports for less. i have a friend that supports his cover with an empty ice chest, sets it on the dog house and it creates a nice tenting effect.

 

[xtraham]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

make an H from 1x3 furring strips lay it on the boat from the windshield to the transom

 

[tommays]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

I use a deck board suppported in 3 places the lenth of the boat

It holds up well and if you set it up steep most snow self cleans

Tommays

 

[gewf631]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

i've never found the elastic bands that come with some all-puprose covers to hold tight enough.

For winter storage, I've used the inexpensive tarps (they're pretty-much trash after one winter anyway), and have always attached additional fasteners to help pull the cover tight. I've always found them in the same place as the tarps, and only run a few dollars for several.

you could probably make some pvc supports for less.

I've done that too. It's basically a long piece that runs from the top of my O/B, all the way to the bow. It's supported at the windshield, and one other place by a vertical stand. Total cost is somewhere around $10.

 

[r j f]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

1966 Shell Lake 12' Runabout v-hull w/ windshield ('58 Evinrude 35 HP)
Last winter we covered the boat from a cover purchased at fleet farm (generic cover for 14-16 foot runabout). We put an extenter pole made of plastic in the center of the boat, and we had problems with the sides near the back pooling water(then to ice), creating a small tear in the cover. We would like to figure out a way to try to eliviate this problem this coming winter. I was thinking of purchaseing a strap system they sell at Cabela's where straps attach from the front of the boat to the rear, and is supported by a extending pole in the middle. Has anyone used these, do they work? Or does anyone have a suggestion of things I could use?
Thanks for your help!

 

[r j f]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

I use PC pipe, the 1 1/2 in. size. You can make any shape you want and use them year after year.
Good luck
r j f

 

[tiller7104]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

Toys R Us have 3' balls for 6 bucks. I used to put 2 of them in my 14 starcraft, it s easy on the cover and makes for nice round edges.

 

[Prin]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

You can put extra poles in the boat, which will help all the time. They are simple to use and will be there not just for the winter. For winter I use my mooring cover with some life jackets, etc. used to support areas that might sag. I then put tennis balls on my poles at the top after they go through the mooring cover (this will keep the poles from poking holes in the second cover). I then cover the whole thing with a cheap plastic tarp, and secure it to the trailer to keep it on. Has worked well.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

i made a tent frame from 1" pvc, section of pipe, a 'T', a 90 degree, section of pipe made the ends, the connect the ends with a long section of pipe. i use rope to hold my cover, and even with rope you have to adjust periodicly..

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

I use the strap and pole system. it is pretty easy setup and if I am on the trailer, I also use rubber bunge cords to attach the cover to the trailer. These cords tighten the cover and remove any slack places where water could pool.

When I store on the water, I stuff one of my tow tubes under the front part to keep water from collecting. It works OK but it may require some adjusting and trial and error to get it right..

 

[Boatist]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

I have a 21 foot runabout.
I used a 1 inch aluminum pole that runs form the windsheild to the stern deck light socket.
The pole has one support in front of the I/O engine cover.
It has one more about 6 inch plastic pvc that goes into the stern light socket to the center support pole.

Near the stern I use two more 3/4 inch PVC plastic pipes that go from side to side.
On the ends of the pipe I use a 3/4 inch PVC T and cut a hole in it so it fits over a gunnel rail that my camper cover snapps to.
I use two supports one about 3 feet from the transom and one about 6 feet from the transom.
These two supports stop any water from pooling near the stern section.
One of the supports I ended up putting a round aluminum tubbing in side of the PVC Plastic because in the summer my boat gets over 140 degrees inside and the plastic would get hot and sag. With the aluminum inside it stays in any shape I form it too.

The plastic does not mar or turn the cover black where it rubs like the aluminum would.

 

[Drrockter]

Re: Boat Cover Pools Water From Heavy Snow & Rain-Help?!

I just put a step ladder in the back of mine and everything runs right off. I have the generic Walmart cover.