Last week I was doing some work on a boat storage yard and noticed a lot of boats with covers that have pools of water gathered in them. Since I did not want the same thing happening to me, I did thorough research on how to prevent the same from happening to my boat’s cover.
So how do you keep a boat’s cover from collecting water? The best way to keep your boat’s cover from water accumulation is to give it firm support or a buttress. This will raise it in the center and enable drops to slide off without pooling in the middle easily.
Installing a system support frame for your boat cover is not too complicated a process. It can be done by a professional, or you can build it from the ground up. Still, no matter what course you take, there is further information you need to arm yourself with, as you will discover later on in this article.
Boat Cover Support Evaluation
When water collects on a boat’s cover, it causes it to sag and creates breaches in the fabric where there was none. Tarp covers or similar that isn’t fitted or snug can’t shift and cause depressions in the material when it is windy, giving water the chance to pool inside them.
Water pockets on your boat’s cover can cause it to deteriorate rapidly and, if allowed to accumulate water continuously, can become extremely heavy. This can cause boat stanchions to bend, mold and mildew to set in or other damages to the boat. Therefore getting the best kind of support for your boat cover is crucial. The ways you can add support to your boat cover include:
- A DIY project
- Having a professional build it for you
DIY Project
If handling craft projects is your thing and you want to install your boat cover support by yourself, you can opt for less work by going in for ready-made selections or start from the very beginning with your design.
If you choose the already made support, then you ought to consider using a cover support pole. This is the cheapest way because you do not have to pay for workmanship fees.
The other option is to build a custom made support for your boat. This option is more involved, but the results are often better. Some of the materials commonly used to build custom support include:
- Electrical Metallic Tubing
- PVC Tubing
- Wooden Frames
Professional Build
Employing a professional’s help is the better option if you do not count the expense because the results are worth it, and the installation would take less time. The options available for getting your boat support professionally installed include getting it shrink or custom wrapped.
Professional Cover and Support Installation
Shrink Wrap
This method is excellent if fitted by a trained professional or professionals because they come with their framing support. Shrinkwrap fits rather snugly to the boat, so you ought to insist that they provide an entrance that allows for checking on the boat every once in a while and proper venting to prevent moisture seepage. There is a disadvantage to shrink wrap, however, and that is, it cannot be reused.
Custom Canvas
A custom canvas, on the other hand, is more convenient because it can be reused for years to come. Although it is quite costly, it comes with framing support added by its makers alongside a manual with instructions on the setup.
After initial installation, it is usually expected of the owner of the boat to handle subsequent setups, so paying attention during the initial installation is important. Checkups to fasten ties and straps on occasion to prevent sagging is essential.
DIY Cover and Support Installation
Ready for Install:
A Cover Support Pole
These are by far the easiest and cheapest option available. They are generally made with convex end cap tips or a patch of fabric for reinforcement where the pole and cover meet. Here is a link to amazon and the manufacturers description.
 The Boat Cover Support adjusts heights easily from 30″ to 50″ in 2.5″ increments to accommodate different styles of boats. The nylon strap assembly is 50-ft long and fits most boats up to 22 feet in length. It is easy to install and stores compactly when not in use. Camco also makes a full line of attachments that can be purchased and used with the telescoping support pole.
Camco
A Bow and Socket Support
These bow supports are made of wood or fiberglass material and made to fit into sockets that tighten your boat cover and keep it from collecting water. Bows are elongated to arch and support the cover. Gaps should be close to eradicate sagging and keep cover secure.
Hanging Support
If your boat has a ski tower, then you can prop up your boat cover by suspending it with the use of a line connected to the tower. It takes very little time to hang up your boat cover, and the rig stays with the cover.
Build To Install
PVC Tubing
This is one of the better-known ways of building your boat cover support with ¾†PVC tubes, which you can find in any hardware store. The method comes with the potential to customize it into any frame you want using its tubing and elbows. The longer tubes can be shaped into bows while the elbows and T-junctions can be used as custom attachment points.
Although the process will need some deliberation, it comes with endless customization possibilities. Keep in mind that the bows need upright poles at high points to stay strong and secure.
Electrical Metallic Tubing
You can connect metallic electrical tubing to custom frames such as the PVC mentioned above piping with the help of special clamps like Kover Klamps to create your frame support. However, the process can be quite challenging and requires the use of special tools like a tubing bender and cutter. Still, it comes with the added advantage of a ridged and sturdy frame.
Wooden Frames
Wooden frames are durable, strong, and can be reused and are, therefore, a regular choice as framework support. Still, their construction demands exceptional carpentry skills, and the finished product can be quite heavy and large, which makes their storage cumbersome. You should also ensure that where the cover and support join or meet is smooth to reduce chafing.
How To Ensure Long Life for Your Cover
Your boat cover does a great many things for your boat, including protecting it from the elements and keeping it clean and pristine till your next use. Or just preserves its value so you will want it to last as long as it possibly can, and these are some of the ways to ensure it does exactly that.
Tie Down Your Cover
Using boat cover tie-downs not only helps secure your cover but ensures that it remains atop the boat protecting it. Especially if you tend to leave it for longer durations before checking up on it.
Using Reinforcements
Reinforcing your boat cover with some extra material at sharp points such as windshields can be handy as it makes it stronger and ensures its long life.
Cover Support
As we’ve already elaborated in the article, providing support for your cover is extremely important. Gathering pools of water will only degrade the cover and therefore have to be replaced frequently if support measures are not put in place.
Related Questions
How much electrical metallic tubing would a 27-foot powerboat need? A twenty-seven-foot powerboat would need approximately 200 ft of metallic electrical tubing.
Do you need to check up on your boat periodically, even with a cover and support on? Yes, and this is important as regardless of what method or design you opt for, covers or frames can break down, and periodic checks can help you detect any damages early on or aid in their prevention entirely.