Winter storage 2025 – a new approach

Every year, assembling the cover stand ends in frustration. The metal tubes are heavy, prone to bending, hard to assemble, and generally a pain to handle. When I saw the pipes this year, the memories came back, and I sold them on the spot. Never again, I promised myself.

But what should I use instead? After searching online and reading through a few boating groups I am part of, I decided on a more future-proof method. We went to the local hardware shop and bought six plastic wastewater pipes, the same number of 45 x 45 millimetre studs, and a couple of ratchet straps. Altogether it cost less than what I got for the used metal cover stand. After some measuring and drilling, I had a new lightweight cover stand that should last much longer than those horrible metal ones.

The plastic boat cover was full of holes, another drawback of the metal stand with all its sharp edges. So we started the day by duct taping the old holes and laying out the cover over the new stand. It feels seriously sturdier now, and I can trust it with my full weight thanks to the ratchet straps. There are so many ways to fasten the tarp to the boat, but I always prefer the lightest and easiest method. In this case, heavy-duty elastic rope is my go-to solution after trying everything from ordinary ropes to five-litre plastic cans hanging to keep the tarp in place.

After assembly, it even feels stronger than the old metal stand. But will it last? I am confident it will, but time will tell.