Tarp suggestions for winter storage

[guy48065]

First time putting up the '79 Crest for the winter. The boat sits on 4 old tires beside the cottage with the scissor-lift trailer tucked underneath. The just-bought cottage had 2 blue poly tarps in the shed I assumed were for the boat. I lowered the canopy & draped the tarps over & tied off the grommets with the lengths of para cord that were attached. There didn't seem to be enough ropes & I'm not sure how that tarp is going to do over the winter with snow piled up on it. I have a hunch it's already blown off in the high winds brought by Sandy :-/

Some questions I have, and a plea for other tips:
Should I leave the canopy on the frame or remove it? It's a 70's flat-top canopy frame and folds down to rest on the railing.
Should I rig up some sort of ridge pole so some of the snow slides off? Ideas would be appreciated
Would it be better to hang weights from the grommets rather than tie off to the logs? Thinking water-filled milk jugs...like I used to do with my pool.

And no I won't be shrink-wrapping it or buying an expensive custom cover. I'm about broke renovating the cottage.

[Rocky1965]

I don't have snow to contend with, but I made a ridge pole out of 1.5 PVC pipe to help keep the leeves, acorns and water from pooling on top of my tarp, then I use bungie cords to secure the tarp to the rub rail. it has worked good for me even through a small Hurricane. I also use a heavy silver reflective tarp from Lowes, (hoping it holds up to UV better than the blue ones) Hope this helps.

[MH Hawker]

Last year I used 2 inch PVC as a ridge, full length with 6 down poles, 48 high tall and tied that off at each T to the sides to keep it centered and add support for the tarp, then a heavy duty tarp across it with bungees and the extra tarp clamps. I do have light snow here, and it did just fine.

[guy48065]

Both,
your ridges are free standing, on legs? Got pics? Do you have problems with the tarp shredding where it goes over the end of the ridge? I was picturing something bowed and anchored to the railing front & back--but not sure how to accomplish that.

[waterlab]

MH how did you guys fair during "Sandy". We are about 35 miles from Franklin WV in VA, we came out fine, had winter blizzard warnings but none of the snow stuck. Heard from friends that parts of WV got hammered with snow.

[guy48065]

Please?

Fortunately I've found some good ideas on Google. Looks like PVC rafters & ridge pole are the #1 DIY tarp support.

Still don't know if I should remove my flat canopy but with a "roof" over it I guess it will be fine.

[Rocky1965]

No, i don't have pics right now, but basically has 3 legs (36" tall I beleive), 90's on each end a TEE in the middle, at the botom of the legs I put a TEE and two short peices of pipe for stability. Used the heavy silver tarp and haven't had any problems with it shreading. It doesn't breath well so I leave the doors open to let the air pass through.

[old jim]

My setup is like Rocky1965 with the PVC, only difference is I bought a generic cover that I was going to use at the slip at the lake. That turned out to be a real PIA, however the cover is working out great here at home. Also we have a RV shelter to park the boat under. Just wish it wasn't 14 feet high. old jim

[dubldown]

I used 2" PVC #40 and it works out fine . I live in northwest Indiana and this set up work great.

[MH Hawker]

waterlab..We did fine, had about 8 inches of snow, so nothing bad. I was told up in the high mountains they got 2 to 3 feet and the ski resorts are opening real early.

And I did the same used 90`s on the ends and T`s in the middle and made it 48 inches tall and used rope from each T to the sides to hold it in place and a rope in between each T and add support for the tarp, I don't have pictures, and wont be covering it for a few weeks yet.

[old jim]

Wow, dubldown that is an impressive piece of work, but probably just about
right for Indiana, What type of fitting is used at the peak of the first, third,and
fifth section? old jim

[moregooder]

We have big snow and wind in Nebraska, have a full sunbrella top and sides that I take off for the winter leaving just the frame. the frame folds down to the top off the side walls and forward 4 feet that cantilevers over the front deck. I support that 4 feet with 2/4s, cover the hole thing with clear polly and then the blue tarp has had 18" of snow on it with no ill effects- its much to windy here for jugs I tie it right down to the trailer.

[idadell70]

I Built a 2x4 center ridge line about 2 ft higher than the playpen running rail bow to stern. Used 3 uprights w/ 1 ft x 1 ft plywood bases to hold it up. . Bought a 20 x 30 poly tarp. Bought about 40 $.99 spring clips @ Home Depot and clamped all around to bumper rail .
Stays very tight - Just survived SANDY in NJ w/o any problems. You can form 4 tight corners in the tarp by gathering the tarp, folding inward, and clamping. Looks like a fitted tarp w/ clamps all the way around and about 3 on each corner. Get about 2 to 3 years out of tarp and clamps last yr. to yr.

[guy48065]

I like the idea of the spring clamps. Hate how rubber bungies stretch and rot in just a couple years.