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You love your boat and want to keep it protected, but storing it is not always easy or affordable. Thankfully, there’s another way to shield your vessel from winter’s erratic temperatures, blowing snow, and leaves – make your own boat cover!
Do you think it’s impossible? Even if you’re not particularly handy with tools, you can learn how to make a boat cover frame for winter. It’s easier than you think and can save you big down the line.
What are the Benefits of a Boat Cover System?
Boats endure a lot of use during the warmer months, but the winter and cold weather can mean more abuse than anything else. If you don’t have room to store the boat in your garage, you have to find a facility, tow it there, and then pay a rental fee. Factory-made covers work, but they cost at least a few hundred dollars and don’t last long.
A DIY boat cover system is an affordable option for protecting your investment. For additional protection, pair a boat cover system with a factory-made cover. Even if you replace part of the DIY cover each year, it’s substantially cheaper than buying a new fitted cover.
Items You Will Need
Before you get started, it’s a good idea to make sure you have everything you need on hand.
Here’s a checklist to get you started on your homemade boat cover!
- Measuring tape
- Paper and pencil (or pen)
- White chalk
- Permanent marker
- PVC pipe cutter
- PVC pipe and connectors
- PVC cement
- All-weather fabric
- Heavy-duty needle, preferably a #19 or #20
- Outdoor thread or bonded polyester thread
- Scissors
- Rope, straps, or bungee cords
Coats Outdoor Thread 200 yards
Bonded Polyester Thread
Depending on the fabric you use and your sewing ability, you might appreciate access to a sewing machine. While hand stitching is sufficient, it can take longer than a machine.
Precautions
Once you have the supplies on hand, it can be tempting to start throwing things together. However, you might want to take a step back and organize first.
- Keep extra needles on hand in case you bend or break one.
- It’s a good idea to buy more fabric, thread, and PVC than you estimate so that you don’t come up short.
- Protective gear, like gloves, is a good idea.
Even though this can be a solo job, it might be helpful to have a partner available. Two sets of hands make the project safer and easier.
Process
Now that you have your materials and know what to look out for, it’s time to learn how to build a boat cover frame.
Step 1: Take Measurements
Think of it as crafting a frame that fits over the top of your boat. Start with the height, keeping in mind that you need to create a triangular cap to prevent things from collecting on the cover. Steeper angles allow the snow, rain, and debris to slide off onto the ground.
Once you determine an adequate height, that’s how you measure the tallest pipe you require. It’s easy to work out widths and lengths for the rest of the pieces from there.
Step 2: Cut PVC Pipe to Size
Before cutting, it helps to draw out a sketch of your beams. Assign measurements to each piece and mark off a pipe to account for each one. Carefully cut the PVC pipe to the appropriate sizes.
Step 3: Assemble the Frame
This step should be a snap if you ever played with legos or an erector set. Set out all pieces in the proper places and make sure they fit together before gluing. Connect one piece at a time to assemble the frame and move quickly because the PVC glue dries fast.
Oatey Rain R Shine PVC Glue Cement
Step 4: Size and Cut the Fabric Cover
Work on the fabric cover while your framesets. It needs to be much larger than your frame, which means stitching pieces together. Technically, this doesn’t have to be a gorgeous sewing job, but you need to ensure it’s secure. A backstitch is your best bet for durability, and you’ll want to overlap pieces to prevent crevices that could leak.
Step 5: Install the PVC Pipe Boat Cover Frame
With the frame dry and your cover complete, it’s time to install the frame. Set the PVC pipe structure on the boat and then cover it with the fabric shell. Secure the fabric or tarp with rope, bungee cords, straps, or a combination of all three.
Warnings
While this project is relatively easy, there are some potential hazards to consider.
- The cement used to glue PVC pipe together is a chemical and should be used with caution.
- You might want to pick up a lubricant, like WD40, to use when cutting the PVC pipe.
- Don’t cut PVC pipe if it’s below 50°F because it gets brittle and can crack.
Additionally, PVC might not be the best option for everyone, especially if you see rougher winters. If you need something heavier for your winter boat cover frame, you could use electric metallic tubing (EMT) instead of PVC. You need to have some welding skills or use conduit connectors with duct tape to craft the frame.
Tips
Building a DIY PVC boat cover frame isn’t difficult, but it can take time and patience. Here are a few tips to help.
- Skip the sewing and pick up all-weather tarps that you can layer over the frame. Plus, many tarps have eyelets that make securing it easy.
- Hacksaws work on PVC pipes, but they can leave a rough edge that can be dangerous.
- Bungee cords hold up better than rope against UV rays and moisture.
Finally, don’t rush the process. It’s a good idea to start early enough to have time to complete each stage.
Estimated Costs to Build The Frame
One of the best things about a DIY PVC boat cover frame is its cost-efficiency. One-inch PVC pipe costs around $8 per foot, and connectors come in around $5 each. Plus, you can find bargain packs if you don’t mind the color.
VENTRAL PVC Pipe SCHEDULE 40
You can get some waterproof canvas for around $10 per yard with discounts for buying in bulk and all-weather tarps around $20 at 10×12 ft.
OTTERTEX® Canvas Waterproof Fabric
Pro-Series Multi-Purpose Tarp
Conclusions
Knowing how to make a boat cover frame for winter can make your life easier and save you money in the long run. Plus, it’s a fun, relatively easy project that doesn’t require much skill.
