In a previous post, I detailed the failure of the fabric shed that I stored my boat in. I knew that I wanted to continue storing the boat onsite but I did not want to buy another shed-in-a-box or pay to have it shrink wrapped. The solution was a simple winter boat storage system consisting of a frame and tarp.
After I cleaned up the failed shed, I ended up with a large number of steel tubes of varying length and diameter. Using some of the tubes I constructed a framework that sits on top of the boat that will support a tarp. I needed something with a steep enough angle that snow will not accumulate. It also had to be strong enough that if snow did stick that it would support a heavy snow. As the following picture illustrates, I was able to use the leftover tubes and some scrap plywood to build a framework.
I stretched a tarp over the framework and tied it tightly in multiple places. The tarp does not completely seal the boat from the elements but should keep the majority of the weather out. I did put several bags of mothballs throughout the boat to hopefully keep out the critters. The following picture shows the completed project.
Updates
Throughout the this first winter I will update how well my winter boat storage solution works.
01/16/2024 – We got some snow this last week. Nothing major but more than we have had so far this winter. I checked the tarp and there was some accumulation on the east side where the tarp was not stretched real tight. I will have to watch it as we get more snow.
03/20/2024 – Weather has been nice so I took the boat in to have the trailer bearings replaced. When I took off the cover everything looked good with the exception of the muddy squirrel tracks back by the engine. After I got the boat back, I put the cover back as it is still too early to move the boat to the garage.
04/12/2024 – We have had a few days of heavy spring rain. When I went to check on the boat I discovered that it had about 6-8″ of water in it. Turns out that the tarp covering was worn out enough that water was passing through it. Snow did not but water did. In the end, I think this hack was a failure. The supports tended to move and/or fall apart. It is too hard to tie down the tarp. So I pitched the tarp and recycled the supports. I already have a plan for next winter.
