Boat Cover Supports

[fishstick]

First off, I want to say that I have learned a ton of information from reading the forums. I don't do alot of posting because I can usually find the information I need by searching old topics.

I recently purchased a new Basstracker. I have it parked in the garage, but had to move my old boat (a Lowe 1542v) outside. I am looking for ideas on how to construct a rigid boat cover frame for the Lowe that one person can put on and take off easily, and would keep water from pooling on the tarp. I have thought of making one out of 1/2" PVC or conduit, but I am not sure if these would be strong enough. I have looked at the boat cover support systems with the straps they have at BPS, but I think I can build something better.

I am hoping that maybe someone has built something similar and could post some pics or maybe lead me in the right direction. I am open to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

[Bob Kavanaugh]

I made my supports from PVC. 1/2". Hard to explain what I did, but lemme see if I can snap some pics real quick...

[Bob Kavanaugh]

Success!  The top shows a close up of the ends. Just a "T" with the top sawn off to form a cup of sorts. Same on the other side. The tape is there only to identify which piece goes where, since all 4 bows are different lengths. The middle pic shows the bow shape. The third pic shows how well 4 bows (10 bucks) hold up the cover.

Depending on your rails, this may not work for you, but it's been great for me!

[skillet]

 Haven't tried it myself :-[, but have seen how well it worked . Have done a few things with PVC other than what it is supposed to be used for and it is great to work with and cheap. Using Elbows, T,s and straight running pieces there's no telling what you could build ...

                                   As Ever,

                                    skillet

[fishstick]

That's awesome. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks alot for getting the pictures up so quickly.

[hipster_dufus]

your ansewer is 2 inch pvc.i made 3  posts , 2 with a 90 elbow for the ends and the middle with a t on top and bottom. i glued the posts together  and pop the ridge piece in and out when i need to.i throw a tarp over it in the winter outside the 2 inch pvc is rigid enough to tent up your tarp. i will try to post some pictures.