Easy Hoop Frame

[K9Kampers]

Easy hoop frame structure for winter storage cover

I want to share the details of my winter storage structure that I first built for my 14 years ago and have been tweaking over the years. Whether whole or in part, I hope anyone can take away ideas for building their own storage structure.

(note: this post will take time as I sift thru albums and edit photos)

Primary materials:
1" PVC pipe & fittings
Wood: 2 x 4 & strapping
zip ties
swim noodle foam
rope
20' x 30' heavy duty tarp

Process:



This structure is composed of two assemblies. The first assembly has three vertical wood frames that support the horizontal wood strongback. Thsese wood frames are marked by the green dots in the pic above. The second assembly has five PVC hoops that support the tarp. The locations of the three hoops above, marked by red dots, prevent the stanchions from protruding thru the tarp.

Prior to installing the structure, I unbolt roller furler forestay from the mast hound and pull the entire furler assembly along the mast until the furler drum is just aft of the bow pulpit and secure to the mast. I've found this easier than removing the furler from the boat entirely or storing it in the cabin.

[K9Kampers]

Support frames:

The three vertical wood support frames are built with 2x4s and coarse-thread screws. They are stationed just aft of the helm, over the mast hinge plate, and over the bow cleats. Each wood frame is built to be taller than the unstepped mast and support the horizontal strongback. The top block of each support is removed to allow placement and removal of the support.

Aft support:



Mid support:



Bow support:

[K9Kampers]

PVC assembly:

Each hoop is made from three 1" x 10' pipe lengths joined by a slip fit couplers. The pipe can be gradually bent on a warm day or with a heat gun, then cut to length at the first installation. It is best to bend this pipe assembly at the midpoint of the middle pipe rather than at a coupled joint of two pipes.

Hoop:



Each belly tube is made of three 1" pipe lengths. These are hung at the desired height to determine the hoop finish lengths.

Belly tube:



PVC fittings as need:

• A: Threaded male adapters

• B: Saddle tees

• C: Couplers

PVC fittings:

[Jimmyt]

Very impressive. I feel for you guys that have to deal with significant snow. If we get 1/2" accumulation, it shuts everything down. No one knows how to drive on snow/ice here, no chains, no snow tires.

A lot of folks have very low pitched, aluminum-framed car ports and screened pool enclosures which tend to suffer if there is any snow/ice buildup.

So were you successful at shedding wet snow with your structure?

[BOAT]

what does the snow look like?

[K9Kampers]

NH winters ain't what they used to be. Jimmyt is in the south, I believe. JeffJuneau is in Alaska. NH doesn't get the 100"+ snowfalls that may require a different approach.

We get storms early in the season then a lot of warm and wet weather. The real snow comes later in the season and even big accumulations may be gone in several days. When we get the light fluffy stuff, there's no problem with this setup, I can pull it off easily with a push broom. The heavy wet stuff is a little different. To be the most effective, the tarp needs to be drawn taut. The tarp can stretch and sag under load and this usually happens near the top. A better remedy would be more bracing ribs in the areas where sagging occurs. I usually get on the boat and push the tarp from underneath where the heavy snow / ice pockets form.

Perhaps a most efficient design for heavy snow loads is something akin to a steep A-frame style cover. Like with anything Mac, winter storage applications can be a compromise. I could've tweaked this structure design more, but it has served me well and I hope it serves the new owner of Over Easy well too.

[K9Kampers]

what does the snow look like?

[K9Kampers]

Hoop placement

I chose to align three of the hoops with potential protruding structures on the boat / trailer, to reduce / eliminate the possibility of tearing the tarp. I removed the PVC goal posts from the trailer and secured a hoop over the post base with zip ties or duct tape. Two other hoops are aligned with the cabin-top lifeline stanchions. The aft hoop aligns with the stern rails and the forward hoop is midpoint between the center and bow supports. Swim noodle foam is placed as needed in potential chafe areas.

[K9Kampers]

Making the strongback

Using six 12ft strapping boards, lay three boards end to end. Double up with the other three boards, staggering the joints as shown. Cut off the single overhanging half of one end and use it to double up on the other end. I used short coarse screws to secure the boards together from both sides and grind down the protruding screw tips.

The strongback is a bit flimsy, yet strong enough to haul up on the boat and place on the support frames as well as strong enough to support and secure the hoops. A strongback assembly usually lasts me 2-3 years, as it ages and weakens while laying about in the weather after disassembly of the shelter.

[K9Kampers]

Additional supports

Additional supports are added as needed between the strongback and the mast.

[K9Kampers]

Fitting the hoops

The upside-down U-shape hoops are easily laid out by walking them over the strongback from the stern. Place and secure them at the desired locations. Cut the hoops to length so they can attach to the belly tubes. The male adapter can be cemented to the hoop end and the saddle tee is just threaded on and can be adjusted as necessary. The saddle tees snap-fit onto the belly tubes. Zip ties additionally secure the saddle tees from working their way off during wind movement.

[K9Kampers]

Forward hoop

Due to the narrow beam of the forward hoop location, this is actually two half hoops. Each is secured at a support between the strongback and the mast with a screw thru the PVC pipe.

[K9Kampers]

Bracing between hoops

The horizontal bracing between the frames help to stiffen the structure as well as supporting the tarp during wind and snow loads. The braces are made from the same PVC pipe as the hoops and use the same male adapter and saddle tee fittings on each end. The braces may work themselves loose during during high winds so I secured the saddle tees with zip ties. More braces can be added in places for additional support if snow / ice / puddling creates sagging of the tarp.

[Tomfoolery]

what does the snow look like?

White, fluffy stuff. But cold. It's funny to watch adults from Florida (or maybe southern California) who've never been in snow, ever, experience it for the first time.

My boat lives at my in-laws' house half the year and gets dumped on pretty good with 100" a year on average. Same as Buffalo. Less than the 120" a year average that Syracuse gets. But that lake effect snow can really dump a lot on a specific area while leaving places just a mile away in sunny conditions.

[Russ]

Thanks for documenting this cover. It's quite possibly the best/strongest cover I've seen.