Winter cover support F-32

[Diverted Income]

My marina suddenly got a bit too greedy for inside storage this year. I have a new Fisher Canvas cover. Wondering if anyone has any good pictures of how they support their covers?? The Fisher covers are very heavy which is good and bad. Just looking for tips.
Thanks!

[WayWeGo]

Have you checked with Fred at Fisher Canvas (800-892-6688)? We ordered a Fisher cover for our last boat and he provided excellent support to us.

Many of their covers include pockets for 2x4 supports that are all you need. I have never seen one of their covers for a F-32, but am hoping you post a photo once yours is installed.

[captainmaniac]

Don't think I have any pictures of setup in progress, but in short I tend to store my F32 in a shed where I don't have to worry about the cover supporting anything heavy - the frame and cover is just to protect the boat from whatever water may leak through the shed roof, or what dust/dirt other boaters may generate.

Are you looking for framing that can handle snow/ice, or just a dust cover? My father's 28' Sea Skiff spent several years in the elements, and I can explain what we did for that if needed.

[Diverted Income]

Fisher said 2 and 1 inch pvc. Not going there. This will be outside in Iowa so headed down a 2x4 path. Any advice welcome. Fisher Canvas for an F-32 doesn't have 2x4 pocket unfortuenatley. Thanks!

[captainmaniac]

For outdoor, you want a relatively substantial frame. I have seen .75" pipe with fittings, 2" PVC, and 1x2 or 1x3 wood frames (narrow side up).

Don't emulate a frame that someone uses for shrink wrap, because in a shrink wrap solution the shrink is part of the structure. Your cover is not part of the structure, just sitting on top of it.

Whatever you use, you want ribs or trusses about every 3', running from the centerline or ridge pole to the railings (with 'truss' and vertical support - you don't want the weight on your railings), a centerline or ridge pole that is supported at least every 8-10' (closer better - I think we had 5 supports on my father's 28') and rises from front of bow rail to flybridge over top of mast height, then back to aft end of flybridge or bimini setup.

Hopefully your cover is sized in a way that with that extra height it still covers what it should.

For indoor / not weight bearing use, I just use a frame near the mast to keep weight of cover off of it, and otherwise use rope for a ridge pole from bow to frame, to bimini, and down to swim platform. I use a bit more rope to help shape the cover and keep it from sagging, but otherwise no more of a frame.

[Diverted Income]

Thanks! That confirms my plan. It is all being built out of 2x4 and not using the railings as support. Largest span between "trusses" will be 36".

[WayWeGo]

While we use a nylon billboard tarp as a cover, we had a similar problem last year deciding what to use. I ended up going with 3/4" conduit and a combination of clamps. The goal was to have a sturdy frame that could be easily set up and taken down each year, yet be easy to store.

There are a lot of ideas and comments on this thread, along with photos: http://www.trojanboats.net/wforum/viewt ... 044#p94006