Support your boat cover with a pole or PVC frame.

If your boat cover is not properly supported, it can sag in the middle after a heavy rain. You don’t want rain, leaves, dirt, and other debris to collect on your boat cover, since they can promote the growth of mold and mildew.

You have two options for a boat cover support: buy a boat cover support system or build your own.

TinBoats.net offers instructions on how to build a PVC boat cover frame. Building your own frame means you can customize the frame to fit your boat perfectly.

As long as you have the time and energy, building your own support frame is one of your best options for a sturdy, customized frame.

Here is what you’ll need to build your own boat cover support:

Materials:

• 3/4″ or 1″ PVC (available at most hardware stores)
• 3/4″ or 1″ PVC elbows, couplings, and tee’s (how many you need depends on the size of your boat)
• PVC glue
• Garden hose (to help form the arches)

Tools:

• Hacksaw
• Measuring tape

Ready to start? Follow these instructions by TinBoats.net.

Use a boat cover support system to prevent sagging.

Want to get more life out of your boat cover? Treat it right with these boat cover care tips from DuraShield Covers.

Cleaning the Cover

The first step in caring for your boat cover is keeping it clean. If your boat cover is treated with special UV and weather resistant coatings, we recommend hand washing only. Clean the cover with a soft brush and lukewarm water.

If necessary, the cover may be machine washed in COLD water with NO SOAP; however, machine washing is harder on the fabric. Do not use soap or detergent, as these may remove the protective coatings added by the factory and/or void the manufacturer’s warranty. Line dry the cover if possible, or machine dry on the delicate or air only setting.

Storing the Cover

When it’s time to put your boat cover away for awhile, make sure it is clean and fully dry before storage. Brush off dirt and debris, wash the cover, and allow it to dry completely before folding or rolling the cover for storage. A mesh storage bag will keep your cover neatly folded while allowing it to breathe.

Boat Cover Support

To prevent the boat cover from sagging, we recommend using a boat cover support system. If the cover is unsupported, water can pool in the middle, which creates the perfect breeding grounds for mold and mildew.

A strap system, support pole, or support structure (such as a PVC frame) will allow rainwater to run off the cover without pooling. You can either buy a ready-made boat cover support system, or you can custom-build your own for a boat-specific fit.

Keep your cover from sagging with a boat cover support system.

Without proper support, your boat cover can collect pools of water and debris that cause the cover to sag. Over time, the extra weight and moisture buildup can ruin your cover. Here are a few ideas to keep your boat cover from sagging, protect your boat, and make your cover last longer.

1. Get a boat cover support pole.

A support pole is the cheapest way to prop up your boat cover. For larger boats, use several poles, placed strategically under the boat cover to prevent sagging and water pockets.

Some support poles include a venting system. These vented poles serve a double purpose by propping up the boat cover and providing extra ventilation to prevent moisture buildup underneath the cover.

2. Build a PVC support system.

If you’re the do-it-yourself type, building your own PVC boat cover support gives you a custom-designed, inexpensive support for your boat. Use at least 1.5″ thick PVC pipes for a sturdier system. Thinner PVC pipes can break under the weight of a heavy snowfall.

3. Get a strap system.

A strap system mounts to the four corners of your boat and connects at the center to a padded support pole. This type of system is especially useful for boats with large cockpits.

4. Get some bows and sockets.

A bow and socket system provides one of the most secure support systems for your cover. The sockets mount either to your rails or deck wall, and the wooden bows provide just enough arch to allow rain to roll off the cover. Nylon socket mounts require no mounting holes, so the support system is easily removed for boating season.

Boat Cover Support Pole

The DuraShield boat cover support is constructed of 1″ aluminum tubing that is lightweight and corrosion resistant. The support pole includes anti-slip rubber ends to keep it in place and a thumb set adjustment knob. The telescoping pole adjusts from 36 to 64 inches and can be used to support any area of the cover. Depending on the size of your boat or pontoon, you may need to use more than one support pole.

Features:

• 1″ Aluminum Tube
• Resists Corrosion
• Telescope Adjustment
• 36″ to 64″ Height Adjustment
• 1 per package

Now available for only $15.99 with FREE shipping. For more information, visit our product page.

Winter Boat Storage Tip #3: Don’t let pockets of rainwater collect on your boat cover.

Don't let rainwater collect on your boat cover.

Support your boat cover with a support frame from a marine store or a homemade PVC boat cover frame. Make sure there are no pockets where rainwater can collect. Put a tuck in the cover or reinforce the frame where necessary. You can even use life jackets or seat cushions to keep the cover from sagging in specific areas.

Heavy snow can damage your cover.
Brush snow off the boat cover regularly.

First off, avoid parking the boat under a tree. As snow falls off the branches, it will land on the boat cover, and the more snow that collects on the cover, the more damage it can cause. Also, in the spring, the sap from the tree can drip onto the cover, which means you will have to wash the cover or replace it if the sap damages the fabric.

Support the cover with a boat cover support, whether a homemade PVC frame or a ready-made frame from a supply store. The supports keep the boat cover from sagging under the weight of snow or rain, and they allow moisture to run off the cover instead of collecting in puddles. Make sure the pole supports are secure and the cover is tight to prevent pockets where rain could collect.

Never put a plastic tarp on top of the boat cover (except to protect the cover temporarily during painting, roofing, or other house and yard work). The tarp compromises the cover’s breathability, trapping moisture inside your boat, where it can cause major damage and mold growth.

Don’t just wait for the snow to melt off the cover. If the weather turns colder, the snow can start to melt, then turn into a heavy block of ice. If the weather turns warmer, the melted snow can turn into huge puddles of water that, if left to stand, can seep through the cover. Water that is left to collect on the cover will collect dirt and cause the cover fabric to rot. Make sure that rain and other water can easily run off the cover without getting stuck in folds or pockets.

Brush the snow off the boat cover every time it snows. Don’t let the snow build up over the winter. The weight of the snow can damage your cover. Clean off the snow with a broom or large brush.

A boat cover support prevents sagging.

Why Use a Boat Cover Support?

To keep water and snow from collecting on your boat cover, you will need to use some type of boat cover support. This support system will keep the cover from sagging and will prevent excess moisture buildup.

You can either purchase a ready-made boat cover support system, or you can make your own with materials from your local hardware store. Making your own boat cover support is fairly easy, and you can easily customize the fit for your boat.

Tips on Building Your Own Boat Cover Support

1 1/2 inch PVC pipe is a popular choice for a boat cover frame. It’s sturdier than one inch PVC pipe, so it’s less likely to break under the weight of snow and ice.

Use one long pipe from bow to stern and add several pipes as cross braces from side to side down the length of the boat. Arched PVC pipes can help prevent puddles from forming on your cover. Moisture will slide right off the boat cover and onto the ground.

Here’s another tip to protect your boat cover and boat: If the windshield or other edges are too sharp, cover them with padding, such as foam insulation tubes slit down the middle. This keeps your cover from tearing on sharp edges.