boat cover "bows" ?

  Anyone have any slick ideas on how to create and maintain a convex  cover-shape  when your dory is covered?  A shape that stops water and snow from 'pooling' in the boat cover when the boat sits for a while?   I have, over the years, tried different options with some working ok, some not.  Mostly not, I guess.  I am sure I could get really fancy and make something substantial and costly...but simple and effective is better, if anyone has had a brilliant idea that works....

  I have, till next spring, a boat with a very nice cover that will have to remain outside for extended periods.  It is a project for a client.  Since I have to somehow keep the water out while I have it around to work on it, I thought it might be nice to build some 'permanent' struts, battens, bows....whatever...to send home with the owner to use from now on, when he puts the cover on...something nice, but simple.  

  Anyone got any nifty ways to do this?

  Don Hanson 

 

 

 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by eric stevens on October 9, 2011 at 2:14pm

I made one a few weeks ago by taking a couple of 2"  wide strips of 1/4 " plywood that were about 6 feet long and C clamped them to the gunwhale in two different spots,  with just the right length in the board it makes a good  rainbow arch that is about a foot and a half taller than the boat causing the water to slide off the sides

Permalink Reply by Don Hanson on October 9, 2011 at 5:59pm

Thanks,

 

  I just did that this evening and it will work, for sure.  One might make it so the arch goes into the oarlock hole.  Maybe put a block on each end of arches that need to go in other places, something to fit between the inwale and the outwale of the gunnels..

  Anyway, with "rain...100% chance" forecast for the Columbia River Gorge tomorrow, I got it done and the "new" boat sits snugly under a big ole Ponderosa pine in my pasture for now...Thanks,

 

  Don Hanson

Permalink Reply by Eric Loudenslager on October 10, 2011 at 8:01pm

I made five battens that anchor to the gunnels.  They are laminated with three thin strips (1/8" x 2) of either doug fir or western red cedar, and glued up in a fair curve.  A small block of wood fits between the hull and gunnel space; it has a hole in it, and a wood strip that extends out under the gunnel.  A hole is drilled into the batten and the wood block and batten are fastened with a stainless machine screw and wing nut.  A 1/4 x 2 doug fir strip extends from the transom to the knee lock, across all the battens....no fasteners.....just a length of gorilla tape.  During boating season the cover is attached without the supports.  During the winter I put the battens in, put the cover on, and go skiing.

 

Since the battens are laminated into a curve they sit nicely during attachment to the gunnel.  No flexing a long board to get it to stand proud and then have it slip and wind up in my neighbors yard.

Permalink Reply by Don Hanson on October 10, 2011 at 9:30pm

  What a good idea...shaped.  I think I'll just bend some left over Oak in my steamer and call it good.

 

  Thanks...I did have a few "sproingo!!" episodes trying to bend and clamp the temporary fix I have in my yard-boat.....but it rained almost a full inch last night and all is dry...so it was worth the trouble. 

 

  Don Hanson

Permalink Reply by David West on October 11, 2011 at 7:26am

P.E. Luke in Maine makes a "bowlock" which fits the oarlock socket.  I am in process of making something similar since Hurricane Irene took my free standing boat canopy somewheres. 

http://www.peluke.com/Luke_Bowlocks/luke_bowlocks.html

Permalink Reply by Fly Guys (Riverdriver) on October 12, 2011 at 6:56pm
We used a 2" wide, 8' fiberglass batten from a marine supply center which cost about $20.   It is 1/4" thick and works well for trailering.   The ends go into a pocket in a wooden block on each side of the boat.  You can see the rough pattern for the wooden block in the photo attached. 
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Permalink Reply by Sandy Pittendrigh on October 14, 2011 at 1:37pm
Permalink Reply by kirby williams on October 16, 2011 at 7:58am

Hey Da, long time no see.  I stretch a strong cord from bow to stern very tight on my 1754 Ray Heater drifter.  With good tight bungy connections to the trailer in the oar lock area it makes a nice tent to repell water but not much snow.  Hope all is well with you.  Come back to Jackson for a visit and a float sometime.  Regards, Kirby

Permalink Reply by Don Hanson on October 16, 2011 at 9:01am

  Kirb...thanks.

  I should come visit sometime.  Haven't been to the Hole in years.  Marie and I are fine..we see Susan Heddon often and she keeps us up on all the happenings in the valley.  I run into Workers more often than you might think..Herky was here not long ago..Saw Polecat in the desert last winter, etc etc.

  That 'line down the center' that might work better than the bows I have in this project boat right now.  I have it hanging, trailer tongue up-transom down, from a Ponderosa pine in my yard and I am finding the water still pools 'uphill' of the bows I have in there.   A center line might work better.  I shall try that.

 

  Don Hanson

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