A Simple Boat Shelter
|
 |
This is a variation on the PVC Quonset Hut design. I
finally put a nice enough finish on a boat that I'm trying to make it last
a while.
I wanted something quick, cheap but effective. Mostly I need shade from
something that wont blow away. Also I want it pretty easy to move as our
lake comes up.
|
 |
Materials:
- 4 - 10 ft 3/4" PVC pipe
- 8 - slip unions
- 4 - 4 ft 1/2" rebar
- 8 - 1" x 1/4" galv hex head bolts (1/4-20 thread) for lock
bolts.
- 1 - 9'x12' poly tarp
- Some 1/4" line to lace on the tarp
- bamboo as a spreader, but PVC could be used too
|
 |
After gluing all the slip unions on the ends, I drilled for
the lock bolts. The unions are to give thicker plastic to thread the lock
bolts through. |
 |
Then using a 1/4-20 tap in my hand drill I put threads in
the holes. |
 |
Here's the guilty party in need of protection! |
 |
Here is the proposed protection site. |
 |
I started by positioning the boat and testing the clearance
of the arch formed by the pipes. (I'd sketched this in advance but its
nice to find that theory matches practice!) |
 |
After measuring and deciding on angle and spacing I drove in
the 4 ft rebar stakes with a sledge hammer, untill only about 6" is
still showing. (This is Florida sand, and
other approaches might be necessary with other ground characteristics.)
The PVC slips over the end with the galvanized lock bolts facing out, and
tightened. In addition to keeping the shelter from blowing away, these
will be used to tie the edges of the tarp as well. |
 |
After getting three of the 4 arches up its time to lace on
the tarp. Notice I'm using 3" PVC pipe as rollers to move the skiff,
and as skids to rest it up off the ground. |
 |
I laced the tarp on with 1/4 rope before driving the rebar
for the last hoop. This way I could be sure I had the right amount of
tension on the tarp. |
 |
Lastly I cut a length of bamboo with notches in each end to
act as a stretcher, holding the end hoops apart to maintain tension. I
drilled holes in the ends and twisted some insulated copper wire to hold
them to the end hoops.
|
 |
 |
The interior arches have truckers hitches tensioning the
sides down to the lock bolts. |
 |
 |
Here you can see the three lengths of 3" PVC pipe I use
as rollers to move the skiff to and from the water.
For just a few dollars and a couple of hours time I have a serviceable
boat shelter. Maybe you can use a variation of these ideas for your boat.
I'll let you know how it weathers.
|
 |
At mid-day the next day, Summer Breeze is blissfully hanging
out in the shade. Her epoxy dermatologist would be proud of her! |
|
