Winter Cover for a 20ft Fisherman

G

grady268

Member
I am looking for a winter cover for my 1986 20ft Fisherman. I have looked around at the ones for up to a 20ft center console. The only thing I am worried about is the high bow rail on it. Does anybody have any experience getting a good cover for this boat at a good price? Have already done the blue tarp deal and am looking for something better. Thanks.
 
someone else here came up with the idea of using an above ground pool cover for boat covers. They come with a small cable and crank to snug it all around.

rkc
 
This is a photo of my boat with the winter pool cover on it. I've been using them for years. Get an oval one. They fit remarkably well and last many, many years. The one in the pic is 2 years old and is guaranteed for 15 years. Cost was less than $50. (If I remember correctly the size is 24' x 14') The color is green on the outside and black on the inside. I know this looks like it's black outside, but it's really the green side. It's just a trick of shading and the camera.

wellcover.jpg
 
Thanks everyone. There is a pool place right down the road from here that I will check out shortly. Never thought of a pool cover but sounds like a great idea. This site is great. Just ask and you will receive great replies. I really do not want to talk about winter yet, just trying to prepare ahead of time.
 
GRADY268, I looked up an older thread in these forums for some information for you.

The cover shown is a 12' x 24' Oval.
I bought it from National Pool Wholesalers in Florida.
(nationalpoolwholesalers.com) It's their "Ultra Armor Max Gold" Winter Cover. Comes with a 12 year guarantee and it cost $45.97 + tax and shipping. (If I recall correctly the shipping was about $12 bucks.)

The prices over the internet are much better than the prices you'll find at a local pool supply house, and since you have time before ol' man winter shows his ugly head you might want to consider sending away for a cover. Look them up...it just might be worth your while. :beer:
 
Thanks, Destroyer. I just ordered mine and as soon as it comes in, I will let everyone know how good it fits. This board is great for any questions.
 
Well, I have not put it on yet but can say that their shipping is GREAT!!!! Ordered it and received it in two days. Cannot ask for better than that. Will be checking the fit shortly.
 
Destroyer said:
GRADY268, I looked up an older thread in these forums for some information for you.

The cover shown is a 12' x 24' Oval.
I bought it from National Pool Wholesalers in Florida.
(nationalpoolwholesalers.com) It's their "Ultra Armor Max Gold" Winter Cover. Comes with a 12 year guarantee and it cost $45.97 + tax and shipping. (If I recall correctly the shipping was about $12 bucks.)
:beer:
Click to expand...
I saw your post and ordered one of the 15yr models the other night. It arrived today, and looks like it'll do the trick.

Thanks!
 
CaptJ said:
Destroyer what do you put underneath to keep the snow from pooling in the boat?
Click to expand...

LOL that's an interesting question.. and a good one.

The real short answer is I use heavy wall metal conduit bent to fit and held together with tec screws. But you know me, the real short answer will never do when I can write a book about the subject...... :hide:

In the picture there is nothing under the cover because it was only on to protect the boat from the sun and dirt during long term storage in Florida.
When the boat comes up north to New Jersey though, it's a different story.

Over the years I've tried (like everyone else) the normal 2 x 4's cut nailed/screwed together, then covered with padding at the sharp points to protect the cover, etc. It works, but it's a pain to put up and take down every year.

Then I went to 2" PVC pipe.. Better, no sharp angles to cover with padding, and if done right it's as strong as the 2 x 4's.. (One center beam from stem to stern, several branches T'ed off the center with 45 deg bends to make a pitch, then another 45 at the gunwales to drop straight down to the deck. Three of them seem to be about right, but the problem is that with really heavy snow and freezing some of the pipes tended to break from the stress.. so I kept looking....

What I found was 1 1/4" dia. metal pipe. Really heavy conduit. Not electrical conduit, although I think that would work also. This is a pipe that's used in the garment industry to make overhead rails for clothes to hang on.
It has a joiner piece that fits snugly inside the main pieces where there is a joint. Then a few tec screws hold the whole thing together.
At the bow I used my pipe bender to make roughly a 35 degree bend in the pipe, leading the main beam up and over the windshield so the pipe didn't rest on it, then back and down to the stern of the boat where it rests just above the cowl of the engine. 2 side pipes go from the main to the deck like a tipee at the stern and hold it in place at that location. Up front I have a seperate U shaped piece that just sits inside the seat pedistals and is slightly shorter than the height of the main beam. The main beam sits on that U shaped cross beam and I lash them together for stability..That provides structial integrity for the main beam so it doesn't bend under the weight of snow, and at the same time it spreads the cover out to the sides of the boat so the snow slides off. It holds the cover in a good position, has no sharp corners or edges to puncture the cover, is strong enough to take any snow that falls, and with the removal of the tec screws I can take the whole assembly apart in less than a half hour and store it during the summer. I'll post several pictures of it when I get it out and put the cover on the boat later next month.

Hope that helps a little.
 
Just put mine on today. Just to keep leaves out but not done for the winter. All I have to say is thanks very much Destroyer, perfect fit. I used 2 inch PVC and hope that the winter is not too bad here in lower Delaware.
 
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