MacGregorSailors.com

Remember, Sumner's wife Ruth is a canvas seamstress extraordinaire...she could probably give you tips if you run into trouble!

Matt19020 wrote:I pretty much do the same as Russ however I use a 10' 2X4 and place it in my motor well and raise the mast up about another 18" to provide more pitch so snow does not build up...This pic was taken in the middle of a 21" storm......instead of PVC I used plastic electrical conduit ..slightly cheaper and a little more flexible




I use some copper wire 12 gauge as ties to secure to stanchions:
http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s152 ... G_1072.jpg

I bought the plastic electric conduit and will be basing my boat cover on your work. At 3.84$ for 10 feet its a deal and the wire tied to the stanchions to keep everything in place. Thanks for the pics they really helped inspire me. I will post my work once its done.

Thanks Matt,
Q1

Just because "because", I thought I'd throw out this company I found at the Annapolis Sailboat Show this last weekend...

http://www.seacanvas.com. I keep my boat in the water year around, so this offered a very "tight" fit. I'll look it over for a couple months before I get around to making a purchase, but for "in the water" solutions...this fit my needs.

Just looked at their site, they could use some of the handout pictures...

Q1
Glad I can help... If you use the copper wire you can reuse every year.... ( I know the savings is minimal but they really worked out great... cut a 12-2 0r 14-2 romex wire to about 8" and you will have three "wire ties" ...
I made a new 2X4 this year I will post pics in about 3 weeks when I pull boat to show the roller on the end

Hi Matt-

I've used those copper ties made from romex in a number of apps ( you can make them several feet long to tie the tarp eylets to underneath the trailer) and they work great.

You can also get the releasable cable ties and use them over and over, year after year.

- Brian.

Thank you for the info, I will write her if I need some help.

I did the PVC setup today and it worked great. I also added two rows of 1/2 inch from the bow to stern at the top of the arch.

Thanks for the pics!

Completed my cover about a week ago, only took a few hours to install, but I m slow. I also added a spine of PVC at the top of the bows. Had extra pieces and thought this was a good way to use them. Boat looks good and no complaints, comments or nasty looks from the neighbors. Total costs was probably only $65-70 including the cover from Harbor Freight. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and pics.

This year, I too have used 1/2" PVC pipe to support a tarp. To be frank, I was reluctant to do it because of my lack of knowledge/experience with the product. I sent inquiries to members of the board who have reported success with the process, and received nothing but positive reports. My fear of bending the product was completely erased when I saw how easy it is to bend the pipe.

Here is what NiceAft looks like now.



Ray

Looks great Ray! FWIW, consider removing your spreaders so they don't puncture the tarp when the wind blows. I secure my spreaders alongside the mast.

I used CPVC pipe for the hoops and 2 1/2 PVC for the ridge pole. I leave the spreaders on the mast and pad them and the stantions using tennis balls. It's worked great for the last 3 years. In my storage area, I put pre-made cement pads in the ground for the tires and support blocks. Now I just back the trailer onto the pads, drop the tongue all the way down, put the blocking under the trailer behind the wheels, run the jack all the way up, block under the front of the trailer, and I'm done. Takes me about 10 minutes to block up the trailer, another 30 minutes to install the hoops and ridge pole, and 15 minutes to put on and secure the cover for the winter.

Well, Just got very tired of giving Others too much money for end of season Shrink & Disposal of material..
So, got the Shrinkit Heat Gun, Poly 1/2 banding material, Gloves, Error Tape, and 16 Feet Wide x 200 Foot White
7 Mil.. Virgin Shrink Film... Now Have Supplies for (Five Seasons)
REMEMBER: I have never done this type of work B4....
So While not , a total professional look.. NOT SHRUNK ENOUGH, Was Much too Windy...and Cold Outside.
Will do better , next season.



Winter Well !
Captain Jack

Captain Jack, What was your cost for your kit for 5 seasons?

The Heat Gun = $ 500.00 , none repeat expense

Propane tank, from the back barbie

welder gloves = $ 8.50 None Repeat

1500 Feet if 1/2 Poly cord banding = $33.00 Supplies For Belly band, and Tie Downs,and Roof Internal Arch's

1 Roll of Error 3 Inch Wide Tape aprox = $ 18.00 Supplies

1 Roll of 4 Fold (7) Mil White Virgin Shrink Wrap Width 16 Feet, 200 Foot Roll = 5 times supply legnth for Wraping = $ 226.00 Supplies

Freight = aprox $90.00 ups ground.

Trick learned, Don't Shrink wrap on Windy Days... Hard to handle, and Waste Propane because of heat not being spread to shrink film.. It was a good experience, and learled a Lot.

, You should try it during snow flurries to beat a coming storm! Fun stuff!