Boat shelter

[MaineGuide]

I need to build a quick shelter to keep the boat for the winter. Tried one of those Sams Club Car tents a few years ago and the snow collaped it first storm.

Any ideas?


Needs to be inexpensive under $500. and not permanant like a barn that will be taxed

[aboyd]

The thing I like to do is go down to the local nursery and get the large plastic sheets that come off of the green houses. And by building a 2x2 structure U have a quick cheap and much more sturdy construction than the flimsy tubing. Use plywood to lap the joints. the plastic is fairly thick and can really take a beating as long as it is stapled on tight. I see U are from Maine like us in Canada U have to take in consideration of snow load a pitched roof is a must the steeper the better. Last fall when I purchased mine a 30x 50 foot piece was $15..

[Stumble]

Have you thought of heat shrinking the boat during the winter? I have never used them before since I live in a sane climat where we can sail 12 months a year, but take a look at http://www.pro-tect.net/c-17-do-it-yourself-boat-and-rv-shrink-wrap-kit.aspx and its competators.

[rwatson]

Shrink wrapping boats for winter would have to be a business - the propane 'guns' are over $700

[Petros]

I installed boat shrink wrap using a hand held heat gun (that I bought at a garage sale for $3). It was slow going, but it can be done. You shrink and area about 1 sq ft at a time, and work your way around the hull. You can get the heat shrink for free from the trash bins of new boat dealers (they are filled with it). The used boat wrap still shrinks up just fine.

For a cheap boat shed I would buy a bunch of cheap 2x4s and 1x4 or 1x6s and make a lot of plywood gussets from scrap (about 1 foot triangles). Build A-frame trusses just big enough to cover the boat and put a vertical leg at each end of each truss to make a frame (diagonally brace the leg to the lower cord of the truss). Than line the frames up at about 4 foot apart, and put diagonal braces between each of these frame, brace with 1x4 or 1x6. space 1x4 or 1x6 about 1 foot apart across the top of the truss roof, and than cover the whole thing with either the real heavy duty poly tarp, or that heat shrink boat wrap. Use a min of 4-6 screws at each gusset joint, the more screws the stronger. It should hold up real good with up to several feet of snow (make the roof steep pitch if you get heavy snow), and with the screw assembly you can dismantle it if you want in the summer.

Put the base of each leg on a brick or pressure treat base board to keep the end from rotting. You can also use all pressure treated lumber, or cedar or similar, but that would add a lot of cost.

It should not cost more than about $200 for a 10'x20' "shed". You can also put metal roofing or other sheet roofing, but that would add cost.

This would be stronger and less costly than the "tent" garages, and you can always take it apart and use the lumber for something else later when you get permanent garage for the boat.

Good luck.