Fool in the rain.

[MassillonBuckeye]

So I bought an older Galaxy 19' bow rider. No cover but came with a tarp. Yeah, you can see where this is going.. I knew it was going to rain today so I haphazardly strapped the tarp on last night forgetting exactly how heavy water was. Maybe I just didn't think it was going to rain that much, but I saw the big storm inching towards us on the radar so there goes that excuse.. So I get home from work today and I pretty much had a mobile swimming pool in my driveway. I got a preliminary report on my way home and decided to stop at harbor freight for a drill pump and mass quantities of bungee cords. With no support in the middle except the windshield, it puddled in the bow section and in the rear between captain seat and back bench pulling the tarp all the way to the floor. Most of the boat did stay covered(dash, most of the motor) thankfully. I shop vac'd both pools out and took the tarp off. I hopped it and didn't see any standing water really. Nothing in the bilge. I then put a sawhorse lengthwise in the rear area and a wooden bench seat up front to give the tarp some support if it starts sagging. I then pulled the tarp really tight and fit to form as best as I could. It was still raining so I could see where the puddles were beginning and I don't think we'll have another epic flood. LOL what a fiasco. I'm totally waterlogged, I just hope the boat isn't! I've decided I need a cover ASAP! Just thought I'd share

 

[likalar]

Re: Fool in the rain.

When you get that new tarp, prepare to support it in at least a couple spots besides the windshield. Puddling is common, even with the right cover. Maybe make up a 20 foot long 1'x2" support (2 10 footers spliced together with a 3 foot length of 1 x 2, and several screws, to make a 20 footer), run the new support from bow to stern, over the windshield. and tie it securely. This will give a decent base support for your new cover. You may need some cross supports, and vertical poles, too. For heavier duty (deep snow), upgrade accordingly. Good luck.

 

[gus-gus]

Re: Fool in the rain.

I went the shelter method (you know the tarped structures) and couldn't be happier, but in Seattle you had better act like a pro, because the weather is. The idea that kept me up nights before the shelter was PVC pipe for the frame under the tarp. It could be built without most of it glued and taken apart for summer.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Fool in the rain.

It snows in Ohio. 1 X 2s are not going to do it. They will crack like toothpicks. You need at least 1 X 4 with at least one center support to carry the snow loads. And raise it high enough to tent it at least as high as the windshield--higher is better

 

[gus-gus]

Re: Fool in the rain.

3 or 4" PVC would be easier to build a support and be stronger and be less likely to tear the tarp. The price is a bit higher

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Fool in the rain.

Here's my cover with 1" PVC. Make sure to drape the ends but don't seal them to allow for air to circulate.

 

[MassillonBuckeye]

Awesome. Yeah, snow.. That PVC setup looks killer! What did you use to mate the ends of the pipe to the boat? How did you do the joints? Thanks for the input folks!

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Fool in the rain.

I've got contacts for a canvass guy that can make you a sweet mooring cover with a tnet pole in the center.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fool in the rain.

I use 2X4 center support. I have a single board from the windshield to the motor, and an shorter one bolted to it that runs to the bow. I then tie light lines from eaxh cleat, fitting etc, until I create ribs to the gunwales. Then a cheap boat cover over the lines and wood, and it keeps most water and snow out.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Fool in the rain.

Awesome. Yeah, snow.. That PVC setup looks killer! What did you use to mate the ends of the pipe to the boat? How did you do the joints? Thanks for the input folks!

For the ends, I used PVC "t" fittings and sawed the long end in half to form a "c" shape. The keys to this (as with any other top) are to have steep sides for the rain and snow to run off, or make sure the sides are taught so the snow and rain doesn't pool. If you're looking at snow, may want to go to a larger diameter pipe like gus-gus mentioned.

For more ideas, try the search feature. Lots of people here with great ideas.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Fool in the rain.

I dont have any pictures sold the boat some time ago. But I made 2 V frames out of 2 x 4`s to sit on the edges of the boat and tall enough to clear the windshield and ran a rope across the center from the winch to the motor and just tightened the rope up and tossed the boat cover over it all that kept my boat dry and snow free for 18 years

 

[southkogs]

Re: Fool in the rain.

Here's my cover with 1" PVC. Make sure to drape the ends but don't seal them to allow for air to circulate.

View attachment 123526 View attachment 123527 View attachment 123528 View attachment 123529

Nice job, that's a great looking setup. Does it do okay with snow? - - That's the pain for some boat covers, all the weight the snow accumulates is too much for many of the "post" ideas that people come up with. I don't have to deal with it too much here in TN ... plus, I've gone the garage route in the last several years.