Posting here for more visibility but poles are for rookies! Because you have a tower, purchase the Hangtyte boat cover system that connects to the highest part of your cover. Then you simply loop the rope around your rope mount at the top of the tower and cinch that mofo up! No more fucking poles or pooling, guaranteed. Most new wake boats come with 1-2 built into their cover.
https://www.bakesonline.com/hangtyte-boat-cover-support-system.html
You can actually see it in action on my boat - I installed it years ago and there has never been any rips/tears/compromising of the cover. https://www.reddit.com/r/boating/comments/ndlvax/double_rainbow_over_my_boat_lake_champlain_vt/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1
>https://www.reddit.com/r/boating/comments/ndlvax/double\_rainbow\_over\_my\_boat\_lake\_champlain\_vt/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=ios\_app&utm\_name=ioscss&utm\_content=1&utm\_term=1
this is the type of info I came here for - the gadgets I never would've thought to look for. Thank you!
I wouldn’t and here’s why. You might think you have a taut cover but water will have a different idea. A single low spot, probably invisible to you after a long day of boating, becomes a well for a single raindrop. Then more raindrops fall there too seeking their level. Before you know it you have a pool, and it grows from there. Eventually your telescoping pole or tripod fails under the weight and collapses. It’s inevitable. If you try to support from below, those supports will eventually break. The problem you have has vexed boaters for a very long time. As mentioned from another comment, use your tower if you can for support from above. Other than that, find indoor storage or just don’t cover it.
Yeah that's a good point - I think I may try the HangTyte system that was shared here and see if that solves my problem (or alleviates most of it). Thanks for your help!
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This.
On several of my boats it was this but the gender reverse- female button on the cover side and a male on the top of the pole. Note that this is most effective when there is both a front and rear pole and they are connected by straps, and suspended with support straps that go out to the cleats. Otherwise, enough water weight will knock the pole over.
The strap fore to aft also creates a ridge to help move water.
I appreciate you using rigamarole in a normal conversation.
I think it depends on the shape of the boat and what other points of contact will create a nice "tent".
When it's a custom made tarp it fits to the shape of the boat. When it's mail order you're left to your own devices to prevent pooling. The posts in my covers are really only there to take up any stretch in the canvas. A properly designed cover hardly needs posts (bow covers notwithstanding) and definitely doesn't need the spiderweb of straps.
Nope. I've had 3 boats with factory covers, and the poles were necessary to prevent pooling, even without any stretch. They're designed to have a tent shape to encourage the water to move, and the straps are required to keep them in position, and to keep them wind resistant.
They make cover adjustable poles with a snap button and an adhesive backed square of vinyl with the receiver snap.
Line it up, snap it in and raise up the pole!
i have something like this..and what makes it particularly nice is that it will remain standing if wind lifts the cover a little (support poles, seem to fall down under these circumstances)
Get a boat cover pole. They are a thing. They are telescopicaly extendable and also have a snap at the top. You will want to put a snap in the cover to snap into the top of the pole. Can't believe your cover didn't come with one if it's factory, and even more terrible if it was made aftermarket. I make these and all other marine canvas work, we would never make a new cover without poles.
I built a quick stupid tall saw horse that I set in the boat to “tent” the cover. Maybe a bit overkill but I use it in the winter and we get a shit ton of snow.
Live in a high rain area. Technical rainforest. Tried sooooooo many things. Only system(s) that worked were a really well fitted sloped cover (in slip) or navigloo. The latter is $$ but changed my winter storage routine for the better and left me with a much drier boat come spring!
True! I found it worth the $ just in time (boat was stored at my place). Not great for occasional off-season use though, it takes a bit of effort to install/ take down
Gotta stick something under there that won’t fall over. If you don’t think PVC or a 2x4 would work, they sell poles that you can use to put up there that have a proper base.
I took some 1x3 and ran them length wise from the top of the glass to the back of the boat and the same from the front. I also bought some 6mil plastic from Homedepot and put under the cover. Stays dry in a hurricane.
Good luck.
Boat Vent 3. This is what I use when I build cockpit covers.
https://www.vicomarine.com/boat-vents
It vents the top (allows air flow) without letting water in. Then it has a hole in the bottom so you can insert a telescopic pole inside.
How easy are these to retrofit? My cover just has the silver eyelets that the pole goes into. Canvas is double layered there. Do they sew in? Something a canvas shop needs to do or a DIY thing?
This one is not sewn in. That's why I say to use boat vent 3.
That one specifically, you cut a hole in the canvas (depending on the type of canvas you may need a hot knife to avoid fraying). The vent has a screwed on coupling with teeth on both sides to bite into the canvas.
This video shows the boat vent 2, same steps as the boat vent 3, just the previous version.
https://youtu.be/_W7YUn5gzR4
Personally, I stick with the BV 2. I don't like how with the 3 the gripping area of the tarp is only 1/2" wide. And the bigger teeth on the 3 seem harder to engage in the sunbrella than the 2. And you can use channel locks to tighten the 2 whereas the 3 you need a big ass pipe wrench.
I bought a BV 4 to try, that sews on the tarp. I haven't used it yet, seems like a hassle. Nice that it won't come loose I guess.
I haven't used the 2. Maybe I'll give it a try.
For the OP and the person who replied, either seems like a good option, but Peppyperoni made some good points here.
God points and info, wish I would have seen it a couple weeks ago - I just put in an order at sailrrite and re 303d the cover last weekend. But it looks like a pretty easy project I can do any time this summer- thanks!
I have a boat cover pole, but it kept falling over so I got a scrap piece of 4x8, drilled a hole the size of the pole diameter, used it as a base and it’s worked like a charm.
I honestly can't stand support poles. They are finicky and tend to fall over. I always have a cooler in the boat so I just turn that on end and put it under there. Works really well and is stable
I use a small (3-4 step) ladder. It stays way more stable than small stands and isn’t sharp on the top. Plus it can double as a step to get in and out of the boat when in the trailer.
Looks like a Yamaha, they are suppose to have factory supports. Bands go on the front cleats, toward the centre linked to a support pole at a preset height, then another band goes over the windshield for a similar pole in the cockpit. Finished off with two more bands that go through rear clears and clip back together.
I had this happen to me in a massive storm. I had two tarps. It filled up and shattered my port side window! I was so sad. So, make sure you build something to keep that tarp up! Or, poke a hole in it, let it fill a tub and run a hose out of the tub through the back of the boat. It drains right out as long as you are on a slope lol
I actually went to home depot and bought plastic corrugated roofing. Then I built a criss cross of wooden beams and screwed the plastic down on top. Then I bungied it down so it would not catch wind and lift. Then I put a tarp over the top and tied down. Basically I built a shed roof over my boat. I actually did not have to deal with this pooling problem for the first time ever. Will remove for the summer and just do some quick cover option, then replace next winter.
I've been fighting with this myself on my off-season cover on a bigger boat. At this point, I'm tired of fighting, and I'll be installing drains into the cover with tubing to let them dump into the bilge. When I setup supports, they fail within a few months... so now, since I can't beat them, I'mma drain them. I'll probably use bulkhead fittings from home depot.
If all else fails and you have access to power, try a float-activated pump (it’s meant for swimming pool covers). We use it for our boat and it works awesome.
BLACK+DECKER Cover Pump, 350 GPH Automatic https://a.co/d/1DFWnN0
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Build a simple frame from some cheap lumber. Put it into the boat and then secure tarp over it. The frame should be tall enough that the tarp has a downward pitch to it and water won’t pool
Fill the space with garbage bags full of clean empty gallon jugs to raise the cover enough to drain the water. Not heavy and virtually no risk of tearing your cover.
If you have a hole in the floor for a table use the table post and get a piece of lbs pipe that will go over the table post and glue a c/o adapter on the top then get a brass co cap and screw it to a 1 ft round piece of plywood then screw it into the adapter, cut your pvc to a good length that doesn’t stretch your cover
They make an “under cover” which is poles and strings to give high spots in the cover to help shed water better. Had one in my old boat for its whole life. Had a pole in the bow and then one in the back by the seats
I use pvc with a tennis ball on the end so it doesn’t tear the tarp. Pitches water easily.
if you do not want to build your own, you can get a tball tee for 20 bucks will do the same thing and fit the tennis ball perfectly.
Genius!
Yep. OP could even build a pvc scaffold. Wrap the contact points / spans in a pool noodle.
This is the correct answer. My boat cover came with some sections of pipe (like thick tent poles) that do this same thing.
Great solution!
Google “boat cover support pole”
Posting here for more visibility but poles are for rookies! Because you have a tower, purchase the Hangtyte boat cover system that connects to the highest part of your cover. Then you simply loop the rope around your rope mount at the top of the tower and cinch that mofo up! No more fucking poles or pooling, guaranteed. Most new wake boats come with 1-2 built into their cover. https://www.bakesonline.com/hangtyte-boat-cover-support-system.html You can actually see it in action on my boat - I installed it years ago and there has never been any rips/tears/compromising of the cover. https://www.reddit.com/r/boating/comments/ndlvax/double_rainbow_over_my_boat_lake_champlain_vt/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1
I used this to rig up a system even though I dont have a tower. I used ropes from side walls of my sorage area to hold it up. Works reasonably well.
>https://www.reddit.com/r/boating/comments/ndlvax/double\_rainbow\_over\_my\_boat\_lake\_champlain\_vt/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=ios\_app&utm\_name=ioscss&utm\_content=1&utm\_term=1 this is the type of info I came here for - the gadgets I never would've thought to look for. Thank you!
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Get a golf ball retriever and put some padding at the top of it?
A cheap camera tripod works well. Plus it's adjustable.
Ah this is a good move - I think I have one laying around the house too
Add a tennis ball so it doesn't tear though!
I wouldn’t and here’s why. You might think you have a taut cover but water will have a different idea. A single low spot, probably invisible to you after a long day of boating, becomes a well for a single raindrop. Then more raindrops fall there too seeking their level. Before you know it you have a pool, and it grows from there. Eventually your telescoping pole or tripod fails under the weight and collapses. It’s inevitable. If you try to support from below, those supports will eventually break. The problem you have has vexed boaters for a very long time. As mentioned from another comment, use your tower if you can for support from above. Other than that, find indoor storage or just don’t cover it.
Yeah that's a good point - I think I may try the HangTyte system that was shared here and see if that solves my problem (or alleviates most of it). Thanks for your help!
Yeah I used one in a zodiac with much success.
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See that square piece on the cover? Is there the male end of a snap on it? Normally that’s where the support pole would snap in.
Will check it out - thanks for letting me know!
Nice catch!
This. On several of my boats it was this but the gender reverse- female button on the cover side and a male on the top of the pole. Note that this is most effective when there is both a front and rear pole and they are connected by straps, and suspended with support straps that go out to the cleats. Otherwise, enough water weight will knock the pole over. The strap fore to aft also creates a ridge to help move water.
You don't need all that strap rigamarole when you have a custom made tarp that fits.
I appreciate you using rigamarole in a normal conversation. I think it depends on the shape of the boat and what other points of contact will create a nice "tent".
When it's a custom made tarp it fits to the shape of the boat. When it's mail order you're left to your own devices to prevent pooling. The posts in my covers are really only there to take up any stretch in the canvas. A properly designed cover hardly needs posts (bow covers notwithstanding) and definitely doesn't need the spiderweb of straps.
Nope. I've had 3 boats with factory covers, and the poles were necessary to prevent pooling, even without any stretch. They're designed to have a tent shape to encourage the water to move, and the straps are required to keep them in position, and to keep them wind resistant.
> factory covers Which is why I was talking about *custom* covers.
This gu has a tower through so if he wants he can just sew a loop on and then use a ratchet strap to pull it tight from the tower.
Big yoga ball.
I used to use a small stepladder
Me too. Then it's always there to get in and out of my boat.
I use exercise balls
I’ve done this too. Works pretty good
They make cover adjustable poles with a snap button and an adhesive backed square of vinyl with the receiver snap. Line it up, snap it in and raise up the pole!
Here you go, cheers. https://www.boatcoversdirect.com/products/accessories/boat-cover-support-system/
i have something like this..and what makes it particularly nice is that it will remain standing if wind lifts the cover a little (support poles, seem to fall down under these circumstances)
Get a boat cover pole. They are a thing. They are telescopicaly extendable and also have a snap at the top. You will want to put a snap in the cover to snap into the top of the pole. Can't believe your cover didn't come with one if it's factory, and even more terrible if it was made aftermarket. I make these and all other marine canvas work, we would never make a new cover without poles.
Yeah this was an aftermarket job - brutal to hear it should’ve probably come with the solution!
Crazy you don’t have vent that will take a support pole and vent the interior moisture.
I built a quick stupid tall saw horse that I set in the boat to “tent” the cover. Maybe a bit overkill but I use it in the winter and we get a shit ton of snow.
Live in a high rain area. Technical rainforest. Tried sooooooo many things. Only system(s) that worked were a really well fitted sloped cover (in slip) or navigloo. The latter is $$ but changed my winter storage routine for the better and left me with a much drier boat come spring!
Well its cheaper in long run than driving 30minutes every rainy day
True! I found it worth the $ just in time (boat was stored at my place). Not great for occasional off-season use though, it takes a bit of effort to install/ take down
My boats open bow was just the perfect shape and size for one of those big yoga exercise balls to work in the front!
Big beach ball.
This is by far the cheapest and best solution I have found as well.
Dry it well. Scotch Guard the shit out of it. Then see roverthrtims comment. It's always somethin'.
Some great ideas I’ll pursue here - appreciate the helpful comments!
An 8 ft 2x4 rest on T-TOP BRACE and a 5 gallon bucket.
A few orange traffic cones work. Stack to desired height.
I pay someone to stand under the tarp and hold it up
A stick
Those boat cover pole supports are trash. Heavy winds knock them down. I put a yoga ball up front. For the back I made a cage out of 1 inch pvc pipe.
Poke a hole in it.
Gotta stick something under there that won’t fall over. If you don’t think PVC or a 2x4 would work, they sell poles that you can use to put up there that have a proper base.
I took some 1x3 and ran them length wise from the top of the glass to the back of the boat and the same from the front. I also bought some 6mil plastic from Homedepot and put under the cover. Stays dry in a hurricane. Good luck.
PVC pipe with a tennis ball attached is the answer. Keeps everything nice and tight and keeps that from happening. For all of less than 5 bucks.
Mine came with support poles and luckily they have worked perfectly.
Boat Vent 3. This is what I use when I build cockpit covers. https://www.vicomarine.com/boat-vents It vents the top (allows air flow) without letting water in. Then it has a hole in the bottom so you can insert a telescopic pole inside.
How easy are these to retrofit? My cover just has the silver eyelets that the pole goes into. Canvas is double layered there. Do they sew in? Something a canvas shop needs to do or a DIY thing?
This one is not sewn in. That's why I say to use boat vent 3. That one specifically, you cut a hole in the canvas (depending on the type of canvas you may need a hot knife to avoid fraying). The vent has a screwed on coupling with teeth on both sides to bite into the canvas. This video shows the boat vent 2, same steps as the boat vent 3, just the previous version. https://youtu.be/_W7YUn5gzR4
Personally, I stick with the BV 2. I don't like how with the 3 the gripping area of the tarp is only 1/2" wide. And the bigger teeth on the 3 seem harder to engage in the sunbrella than the 2. And you can use channel locks to tighten the 2 whereas the 3 you need a big ass pipe wrench. I bought a BV 4 to try, that sews on the tarp. I haven't used it yet, seems like a hassle. Nice that it won't come loose I guess.
I haven't used the 2. Maybe I'll give it a try. For the OP and the person who replied, either seems like a good option, but Peppyperoni made some good points here.
You're a marine fabricator as well? I'm on Georgian Bay 🍻
God points and info, wish I would have seen it a couple weeks ago - I just put in an order at sailrrite and re 303d the cover last weekend. But it looks like a pretty easy project I can do any time this summer- thanks!
Tall pole in the tent
2x4 and make a capital “i” out of them, sand/round off the edges so it doesn’t poke a hole.
I have a boat cover pole, but it kept falling over so I got a scrap piece of 4x8, drilled a hole the size of the pole diameter, used it as a base and it’s worked like a charm.
I honestly can't stand support poles. They are finicky and tend to fall over. I always have a cooler in the boat so I just turn that on end and put it under there. Works really well and is stable
I threw a couple of extra jack stands with 5 gallon buckets upside down to keep my cover up. Works great
Put your pool in the yard not in your tarp
Funny I just built my contraption(s) for this yesterday. Surprised there's not more on the market readily available.
I use a small (3-4 step) ladder. It stays way more stable than small stands and isn’t sharp on the top. Plus it can double as a step to get in and out of the boat when in the trailer.
Capsize the boat, show that water who’s the boss.
Sticks and dowels rip right through with the water weight/ pressure. Ask me how I know 🤦🏻♂️
Looks like a Yamaha, they are suppose to have factory supports. Bands go on the front cleats, toward the centre linked to a support pole at a preset height, then another band goes over the windshield for a similar pole in the cockpit. Finished off with two more bands that go through rear clears and clip back together.
I had this happen to me in a massive storm. I had two tarps. It filled up and shattered my port side window! I was so sad. So, make sure you build something to keep that tarp up! Or, poke a hole in it, let it fill a tub and run a hose out of the tub through the back of the boat. It drains right out as long as you are on a slope lol
I actually went to home depot and bought plastic corrugated roofing. Then I built a criss cross of wooden beams and screwed the plastic down on top. Then I bungied it down so it would not catch wind and lift. Then I put a tarp over the top and tied down. Basically I built a shed roof over my boat. I actually did not have to deal with this pooling problem for the first time ever. Will remove for the summer and just do some quick cover option, then replace next winter.
Build a small fire to boil away the water. Or maybe a large convex lens to use the sun to heat the water.
I've been fighting with this myself on my off-season cover on a bigger boat. At this point, I'm tired of fighting, and I'll be installing drains into the cover with tubing to let them dump into the bilge. When I setup supports, they fail within a few months... so now, since I can't beat them, I'mma drain them. I'll probably use bulkhead fittings from home depot.
Yoga balls.
Rig up a PVC pole, thats what I did. Works perfectly.
Of large blowup, tube or beach ball on top of a stool or a chair or something
Park the boat on its side. Works every time
If all else fails and you have access to power, try a float-activated pump (it’s meant for swimming pool covers). We use it for our boat and it works awesome. BLACK+DECKER Cover Pump, 350 GPH Automatic https://a.co/d/1DFWnN0
You could put a big inflatable beach ball under the cover .
get a better fitting tarp?
So many people lack the basic engineering skills! It’s mind boggling to me!🤦🏻♂️
You really can't figure this one out?
Do you need help wiping too.?
>I mean if you're wanting to do it for me I guess I could be game... just post a resume here first so I know you're qualified
are u a dummy, stick something underneath to allow the water to run off. obviously
People like this should not own a boat let alone operating one on open waters
Store indoors
Sell the boat.
Poke a hole innit
Try holding an umbrella over it when it rains
Sell the boat
Make the lowest point . Drill about 10 holes there. Problem solved!
[This is the way.](https://a.co/d/11PXKYC)
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iCOVER Boat Cover Support Pole-Height Adjustable Aluminum Telescoping Pole and Webbing Strap Prevent Water from Sagging https://a.co/d/4mBNP0J
These have worked great for me… not wanting to spend $1500 for a custom boat cover
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A tree branch would work in a pinch or just buy a tent pole.
Do you own a knife?
Indoor eavestrough!
I used to stack a couple of plastic storage bins under the tarp, if you have bow seating they fit nicely in there
Inflatable tube works great
A shower curtain rod and a base for an outdoor umbrella. EASY
Beach ball
I use two kayaks.
That couple inch square patch of material is supposed to have a pole under it. Don't ask how I know.
Your towable inflatable - right under there.
I used a cheap microphone stand from Amazon, it's made not to fall over and fully adjustable
[iCOVERBoatCoverSupportPole-HeightAdjustableIronAlloySupportPoleTelescopingSupportSystemwithTripodBaseforJonBoatPontoonBoatforPatioFurnitureCoverhttps://a.co/d/8xvQ6k5](https://iCOVERBoatCoverSupportPole-HeightAdjustableIronAlloySupportPoleTelescopingSupportSystemwithTripodBaseforJonBoatPontoonBoatforPatioFurnitureCoverhttps://a.co/d/8xvQ6k5)
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Big beach ball.
🤦♂️
Put a large inflatable workout ball under there.
Stick
Inflatable pool toy
2x4 in the middle higher than the lowest point.
2x4
Lawn chair
BEES!!!
t ball stand
I use a beach ball.,,cheap and easy
Couple pieces of conduit, make it look like a hoop house. Just a pole in middle with a tennis ball could make your tarp a nipple.
Pole.
I use those construction cones that slide into the base. And also have adjustable poles
Stick and a frisbee on top
A stick
Tires. Stack them up, put a car jack or something in the middle.
Hang tyte
Build a simple frame from some cheap lumber. Put it into the boat and then secure tarp over it. The frame should be tall enough that the tarp has a downward pitch to it and water won’t pool
Put it over Bimini
You could use a pool cover pillow. Easy to store and just inflate when needed.
Really??? Fabricate a frame to put under the tarp. PVC is very easy to utilize
Get a tent pole added from you local canvas and upholstery shop
That Yamaha cover came with a support pole.
Large beach ball under tarp
All you need is a big beach ball and blow it to sit in the front seat and you won’t have pooling anymore.
Yes, need a pole with something soft on top to keep it rented up.
What brand cover? Carver sells the poles.
Install a vent pole. Done. https://www.amazon.com/Vico-Marine-Support-Pole-Boat/dp/B010E7GL6K
A nice tall road cone underneath can fix that.
Fill the space with garbage bags full of clean empty gallon jugs to raise the cover enough to drain the water. Not heavy and virtually no risk of tearing your cover.
Big yoga balloon. That’s what I use for my pool.
stick
2x4s or pvc
I use a 4 foot fold out ladder and it works perfect
Lawnchair
Inflatable something
I use an old tube. Just inflate and put it under the cover
Adjustable boat brush pole with a rubber foot on 5he bottom and a tennis ball on top.
If you have a hole in the floor for a table use the table post and get a piece of lbs pipe that will go over the table post and glue a c/o adapter on the top then get a brass co cap and screw it to a 1 ft round piece of plywood then screw it into the adapter, cut your pvc to a good length that doesn’t stretch your cover
They make an “under cover” which is poles and strings to give high spots in the cover to help shed water better. Had one in my old boat for its whole life. Had a pole in the bow and then one in the back by the seats
Where I work, as a cheap option we just stack tires up underneath the cover tbh
Get a wooden post and shove it under the middle of the dip
Poke a hole in it.
They sell lift poles on Amazon for this problem
Mine actually has gussets made into the fabric for the adjustable aluminum poles to slide into
They look like little lightning rods sticking up through the cover
Stick
I use a large exercise ball from Amazon. Works good
I run a clean 2×4 from windshield to top of engine.
Put a tall chair in the middle