Is this going to make it for the winter?

[hillsideshortleg]

We built this truss system out of aluminum. It is easy to carry and bolt together. We then took 2- 25' long sections of 1" conduit and installed snaps the full length every 1'. Then we installed the other snap every 1' on the tarp. We draped the tarp over the truss and snapped the snaps to the conduit on each side and rolled it up and tied it down at each end. I want to be able to roll these up and take the boat out if a good day pops up. Am I fooling myself on assuming this is going to work for the winter? We also made aluminum blocks that clamp on the grab rail down low so we had something to tie to. We get snow and I will be on call to move snow off the boat.

 

[Strecker25]

Wind is your enemy, we fight it in western NY and it’s the reason shrink wrap is so popular here, it can withstand big gusts.

How windy are your winters? Any protection where the boat sits? The tarp is a giant sail and if it gets inflated can pick those posts up and jam them in places they shouldn’t be.

 

[Skybolt]

The tarp needs to be drawn tight, real tight. You can shimmy rope under the bow of the boat and tie it tight like that. Or what they do with shrink wrap with a line under the rub rail. You could run a rope around under the rub rail and tighten up with a ratchet strap, and use that as a tie point.

In my experience, tarps are not worth using unless you have a frame like a house and multiple tarps. It's tough to get them right.

I tend to find shrink wrap to be the best way to go with a boat in the water.

 

[Stee6043]

Put me in the "no vote" camp. That does not look secure enough to survive any real wind. Especially if it comes up from the stern of the boat.

 

[Creekwood]

We built this truss system out of aluminum. It is easy to carry and bolt together. We then took 2- 25' long sections of 1" conduit and installed snaps the full length every 1'. Then we installed the other snap every 1' on the tarp. We draped the tarp over the truss and snapped the snaps to the conduit on each side and rolled it up and tied it down at each end. I want to be able to roll these up and take the boat out if a good day pops up. Am I fooling myself on assuming this is going to work for the winter? We also made aluminum blocks that clamp on the grab rail down low so we had something to tie to. We get snow and I will be on call to move snow off the boat.

Tarp is far too loose. You need the tarp really tight so snow and ice wont create a trough between the rails and the side of the cockpit and on the bow. Also the tarp will flap in the wind and get destroyed very quickly, letting all that snow/rain into the boat.

Also the framing should carry forward to the bow so you don’t get snow load on the bowYour bilge pumps are in the back, so heavy snow load will tilt the bow down, making your bilge pumps less effective or worse.

Up here a lot of boaters use tarp clips on the edge of the tarp and hang antifreeze jugs3/4 filled with water over the sides of the boat. Hang one every 2 feet and there should be enough weight to hold the tarp taught.

 

[northern]

Based on snow getting on the tarp you could cause your boat to flip over it you have big snow storm them rain. Check your insurance to see if you are covered for non standard modification that cause damage

 

[Lazy Daze]

How is the aluminum truss supported in the back and the front?

From the picture, it looks like it is bolted to the platform with no support up front. That's a recipe for disaster - ripping the structure out of the platform... even without snow load, but just from the leverage - especially with a wind or if the boat is rocking.

 

[hillsideshortleg]

The aluminum is secured with straps going out to the Cleats ? at the front and back. I will be available any time to go clean snow off the boat. Thanks for all the advice. I am going to make changes. The tarp is not actually tied onto the truss at any point, it is just draped over. Thanks again!! BTW if we would have shrink wrapped the boat wouldnt the truss have been a good start for that process. We may do that next year if I cant feel comfortable doing it this way. My dream has always been to go out for a Thanksgiving day or Christmas cruise with the family.

 

[hughespat57]

The contact points with the deck look very small.
I would make some plywood squares with carpet to protect the gel coat. At least 12” x 12”

 

[b_arrington]

That really doesn't look like it will survive a winter, either from snow or wind.

I have a friend in Juneau, Alaska that keeps his boat in the water for the winter, covered. These are his pics. Uses multiple tarps pulled as tight as possible to shed snow. Even with that, he has to go knock off snow now and again.

 

[Lazy Daze]

1st... I like the intention of what you're doing - kuddos for that!

I agree about the feet on the bow - not good. 3/4" or (2) 1/2" pieces glued together should spread the load well enough. The stern looks fine.

You're going to get a large snow load on top of the bimini the way it is. If you're 100% committed to being able to get out there anytime - even in the middle of a snow storm to do it 2 or 3 times, then sure.

But here's another caveat... and not one to be taken lightly... climbing around a slippery boat, covered with snow while wielding an awkward snow broom is very dangerous. It would be quite easy for you to fall into the water. In the middle of the Winter... dark out... no one around... this can end very, very bad... very, very quickly. The cold shock will naturally cause you to do the "gasp" and you could very likely draw in water during that gasp. There's also a real risk of hitting your head.

I'm not saying don't follow through with your Christmas day cruise dream - but really, REALLY think it through. If you're going to do it - do it right. Don't do it halfway - it's not worth the risk.

It might be easier to forgo, especially if you'll be readily avaiable to remove snow like you're saying, the whole contraption and replace the aft bimini setup with a slant back" cover from the arch down and not even worry about a cover. You can put a large window in the slant back cover and a zipper.

I'd also try and figure out a way to give the swim platforms a much better foothold. They are going to be VERY slippery as is.

 

[Sundancer]

As Lazy Daze mentioned above, snow on the deck is extremely slick! Moving around up there is not a good thing and when the snow load shifts and the boat rocks, you'd better be hanging on! I agree with those above and know what winters are like in Bayview and Spokane. I would also take some silicone spray and hit the tarp while it's OFF the boat, so it doesn't make the fiberglass even slicker. It helps the tarp shed the snow if the tarp has enough slope to shed the snow. I used to crawl up through the hatch on our 300 DA and lay on my back kicking the tarp to move the snow off the bow. That was during Snowmageddon when we had 100 inches of snow in about a week back in 2008. Tarps that are loose, whip and tear and tarps that are too tight rip. It's a fine line. I would also suggest something like carpet over the aluminum rig to keep it from wearing through the tarp.

 

[Scott215]

That is kinda sketchy to me as ice and fiberglass don't go well. I like a idea of the arch to the stern idea more

 

[Creekwood]

One other thing I did when I was tarping my boat was tie a whole bunch of thin nylon rope lines from the rails on one side, up and over the truss and down to the other rail on the other side. Spaced them about a foot apart. That provides some support for the tarp so it has less possibility of sagging from snow load.

 

[Scott215]

If you think your good just ke5an eye on it and fix if you have to

 

[quality time]

Does your insurance have a layup period? Might want to verify before heading out in late December.

 

[Pirate Lady]

I’m with LD post #11. Before you can access the boat you have to get down an ice covered frozen slippery pier.
You’re not in FL, theres a reason people wrap boats and walk away for 6 months.
It is dammed dangerous attempting to go boating in ice/snow/winter conditions.
Don’t know your age but probably young, when i was, i took a zodiac out in January on the Bay, in snow. Big zodiac I had at the time, not a dinghy. A DNR ranger came up to me in a patrol boat and said “what the fark do you think you’re doing? Get this thing ashore.”. Its very dangerous out there in winter.

 

[hillsideshortleg]

Thanks everyone. A heck of a lot to consider. Falling in is my biggest concern. We did winter our 280 at the marina down the road last winter. A few things. 1. I wouldnt get up on the boat. I made a form of snow rake last year that had a telescoping handle that allowed me to reach up from the dock. It had a curve built into it so I could reach up on top of the top. to pull the snow down. 2. our 280 has a hard top on it and we were able to stay on top the snow removal for the flat top on that boat, tarped in a similar way. 3. I bought a fender and cut it up to place under any of the spots the truss rests on the boat. 4. Our goal is to have a hard top on this boat before next winter. The canvas is not in very good shape so the hard top will go well with the new canvas. 5. this weekend we are going up to hopefully put your advice to work tightening up the tarp. 6. the docks are kept shoveled but the fingers are our responsibility. 7. We mainly boat at night. a couple years ago we went out at night in a snow storm and the wind was really blowing. Last time I will be doing that, I actually got a little panic when the snow was coming down so hard I couldnt see the lights on the shore.. 8. My wife and I are 62. 9. I will build another truss next year to extend across the bow.
Once again thank you all so much for your concern and advice. Last year I did stand a ladder up on the finger because my rake didnt have a curve on it.
Rick and Jeannie