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Name:	Samdog -	Reply
Subject:	Pontoon off-season outdoors
Date:	10/15/2012 2:02:48 PM

Suggestions for covering a pontoon on the lake bed in the winter. The custom cover that came with the boat is not the best as far as waterproof. I have treated it with waterproofing spray and the boat still does not stay dry. Looking for cover suggestions for winter storage.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Pontoon off-season outdoors
Date:	10/15/2012 4:12:52 PM

we let our pontoon sit on the lake bed, too. My suggestion would be to get a plain ole tarp and put that over the existing custom cover. Depending on how big your boat is, you may have to search around in Home Depot, Academy, Harbor Freight, somewhere like that to find a big enough tarp. We tie it down taut with a combination of bungie cords and thin rope. Inside, we use the prop up poles that came with it plus a couple of supplementary poles to make sure there aren't any sagging spots in the cover where water can collect. Unless you spend some dough on another custom cover that is rain proof, IMO it's hard to beat a humble tarp for the price.

Name:	crappyattitude -	Reply
Subject:	Check out.....
Date:	10/15/2012 4:29:26 PM

TSC (Tractor Supply) for tarps.... pretty decent prices on big, heavy duty tarps.... Crappy : ) (Just outside of Nshville) (and needing to winterize, too)

Name:	Samdog -	Reply
Subject:	Pontoon off-season outdoors
Date:	10/15/2012 5:49:33 PM

My thoughts exactly. What about the poles that support my existing cover. They have points that go through grommets on the cover. Won't they puncture the tarp after a while?

Name:	Samdog -	Reply
Subject:	Pontoon off-season outdoors
Date:	10/15/2012 5:50:37 PM

Do you put your regular boat cover on first then the tarp over it?

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Pontoon off-season outdoors
Date:	10/15/2012 5:58:24 PM

I'm not sure what they're calling a "tarp". I use a Walmart blue poly on top of the boat cover. Boat stays bone dry. Top last two winters. I bought a 20 X 30 for about $24. Works for my boat on a trailer. I have used 2X4's to make a frame to tent the cover in the past.

Name:	Ulysses E. McGill -	Reply
Subject:	Pontoon off-season outdoors
Date:	10/16/2012 12:20:10 AM (updated 10/16/2012 12:20:52 AM)

bunch/fold up an old towel and place it over the part of the pole that sticks through the cover.

Name:	kickinit -	Reply
Subject:	Pontoon off-season outdoors
Date:	11/23/2012 8:37:59 AM

I went to Tractor Supply and picked up a cheap poly tarp an some bungee cords. It can cover the entire boat and motor right over you factory cover. It worked great for long-term outside protection and very inexpensive.

Name:	copperline -	Reply
Subject:	Pontoon off-season outdoors
Date:	12/11/2012 6:10:03 PM

I've been really frustrated by this winter storage problem for many years, since the tarps always seem to find a way to pool water, and there is nothing more aggravating than trying to clear a kiddie-pool's worth of water from my boat... or worse, a block of ice the size of a lawn mower. The prop poles I would use would just pop thru.

I finally settled on buying 3-4 inch PVC pipe from Home Depot and building a high center support that runs the length of the boat. PVC stands can be built to any height you need, and I just drape the whole boat with a large polytarp. No sharp edges to puncture thru. Then I lace it down to the sides really well with cord. Viola! A rain cover that sheds rain!

For my fishing boat, I built a small frame using 1inch PVC. The PVC is flexible enough to create a frame that arches from side to side, and has the added advantage of being all one piece once it is glued up, whereas the pontoon frame is so large that it's best disassembled for storage.

Now all I really want for XMas is tarp that can handle UV exposure for more than 2 seasons!

Name:	Tarptrader -	Reply
Subject:	Pontoon off-season outdoors
Date:	11/17/2016 1:34:38 AM

Hello guys if you are looking for a waterproof poly tarp to protect your stuff from rain or water then we will suggest you Custom Machine Equipment Tarps from tarp trader online shopping store. These poly tarp covers are so durable and puncture, tear resistant. Just try then once.

Name:	Stortis -	Reply
Subject:	Check out.....
Date:	10/29/2020 10:18:28 AM

[quote]

we let our pontoon sit on the lake bed, too. My suggestion would be to get a plain ole tarp and put that over the existing custom cover. Depending on how big your boat is, you may have to search around in Home Depot, Academy, Harbor Freight, somewhere like that to find a big enough tarp. Storage companies near me address compnay G&J Moving. We tie it down taut with a combination of bungie cords and thin rope. Inside, we use the prop up poles that came with it plus a couple of supplementary poles to make sure there aren't any sagging spots in the cover where water can collect. Unless you spend some dough on another custom cover that is rain proof, IMO it's hard to beat a humble tarp for the price.

[/quote]

how do you store your boats? In the garage? Is it expensive to store in special boxes from third-party companies?