What Size Pool Cover?

G

Greyduk

Junior Member
I read about some members using pool covers for storage. What size seems to work best? It seems that some covers have a 3 ft. over lap. And is there a brand that is preferred? Thanks.
 
Yes, there is a brand that is preferred. (at least by me). It doesn't have a 3 foot overlap, it has a 4 foot overlap. (So as an example, a 10 x 20 will actually be 18 x 28). It comes with a vinyl coated steel cable and a winch to thread through the grommets and pull your cover tight after you have it in position. I highly recommend the 15 year cover. Size is 12' x 24'. With the 4 ' overlap that's really a 20' x 32' cover. More than adequate to cover your boat. Just remember a few tips. Build a good solid frame. (Although your winters are probably a lot less than up here in the Northeast, so maybe you can go a little lighter ... Depends on how much snow you get really. You want something that can take your heaviest snowfall. Always err on the side of caution. Tent your cover. (Make a central spine in your frame just like a house roof so that any rain, snow, tree leaves, debris, whatever, will slide off). Get some pool noodles from the dollar store or some foam pipe insulation from Home Despot or Lowes. Slice it lengthwise and place it on the top of your windshield, especially on the corners. Put smaller pieces over your line chocks on your deck and anything else pointed that might puncture your tarp.
 
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Do what Destroyer says if you're gonna go this route.

I cheaped out and got the silver line and it's pretty thin. Also his dimensions are spot on, I'm running a 29 x15 tarp and it could use a couple of feet to cover better. When the tarp wears out I'll buy another pool cover.
 
Something else you may consider and probably much cheaper is a used billboard vinyl tarp. I just bought 14x24 for a flats boat I have for about $50 delivered and made my own. I invested in a $6 brass grommet tool and grommet package for tie downs. Pretty thick and can be patched easily with vinyl glue and left over scraps plus you can reinforce pressure points as well with the scraps. I live in the south and don't know how these would hold up for you northern guys with snow.

I got mine from this site: http://billboardtarps.com/product-category/billboard-vinyl/
 
I just ordered the one Destroyer has suggested. $49 shipped seems like a steal for a 15yr cover. I got the 14x24 which is actually 20x32 which I hope is big enough for my T-top. If not I'll use it for the project boat and order a bigger one for the green boat.

My summer cover has vents in it. Should I somehow vent this cover?
 
rrichar1 said:
Something else you may consider and probably much cheaper is a used billboard vinyl tarp. I just bought 14x24 for a flats boat I have for about $50 delivered and made my own. I invested in a $6 brass grommet tool and grommet package for tie downs. Pretty thick and can be patched easily with vinyl glue and left over scraps plus you can reinforce pressure points as well with the scraps. I live in the south and don't know how these would hold up for you northern guys with snow.

I got mine from this site: http://billboardtarps.com/product-category/billboard-vinyl/
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Interesting link.
The 15-17 mil...13-17 oz would be pretty heavy. Might be heavy enough to lay out and mark the darts to custom fit the vinyl.
 
I ordered the 12x24. Got it today and it's actually a 16x28. I guess the 4' overhang is total, not per side. I doubt it'll be big enough with my t-top but should work fine for my other V. Guess I'll order a bigger one for the Green boat.
It's a lot thinner than I imagine as well but for the price I guess I can't be surprised. Be curious to see how it holds up to the little bit of snow we see here. We'd be lucky to get 6" at one time here so shouldn't have to be too load bearing.
 
3 Squids said:
I ordered the 12x24. Got it today and it's actually a 16x28. I guess the 4' overhang is total, not per side. I doubt it'll be big enough with my t-top but should work fine for my other V. Guess I'll order a bigger one for the Green boat.
It's a lot thinner than I imagine as well but for the price I guess I can't be surprised. Be curious to see how it holds up to the little bit of snow we see here. We'd be lucky to get 6" at one time here so shouldn't have to be too load bearing.
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Hmmmm.... I haven't ordered one in several years, but all the ones I bought had a 4' overlap on all sides. They may have changed suppliers, or, like everyone else in this world, cheapened their product. My apologies. I won't be recommending them again. The idea of an oval winter cover is still spot on, but the place to purchase will change.
 
Today I went to the inlaws for Christmas dinner and was talking to my father in law about his winter cover on his pool. He said he bought the most high quality one when he bought his pool and I got to looking at it and feeling it and it seems about the same quality as mine however he paid much more than what my website quoted for the size. So maybe thickness isn't key. I guess maybe just quality of the material. Time will tell I guess. I plan on this week building a "tent" for my gutted boat and draping this cover over it. We will see how she holds up.
 
I order a few of the 13-16 oz tarps from Billboard tarps.
Nice heavy reinforced heavy weight material.
Not a solid color tarp and a little bit of dirt on the vinyl (foot prints).

A new 15' x 25' piece of tarp from a wholesaler would be about $160

A rough tarp from billboard is around $50

Here is a few photos comparing a 10 oz in blue and the billboard tarp 16 oz in white.




Here you can see reinforcement in the vinyl.
 
This 16oz stuff is heavy to work with. I'm sure it would be awesome for a winter cover providing your framing can support the weight of the tarp.
 
inaforty said:
This 16oz stuff is heavy to work with. I'm sure it would be awesome for a winter cover providing your framing can support the weight of the tarp.
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How do you think it will hold up to winter temps folded over a boat and moving in the wind? Think cracking will be a problem? :head:
 
Good question Destroyer.
I'm pretty sure it would be fine. I used the 10oz stuff as a cockpit cover for 5 winter seasons but every type of material is different. One supplier vs another can have different results. I will put a piece of the Billboard tarp stuff out overnight and try bending to see what happens.
 
BigShrimpin,
Cooler bag yes. Grunden maybe but probably be better as chaps or apron because the flex is minimal. It would bind up and not be very comfortable at any joint (knees ,waist ,etc)

You could use it for an enclosure but I wouldn't. It would be to thick to complete the hems where the top panels would come together. When you sew a top together you have a top panel,front flap and pocket (for bimini frame) in one seam and it would be hard to get it to fold flat (sewn first underside and then top sewn). Not to mention there won't be much (if any) stretch to complete any curves in the top.
Another concern would be how waterproof it would be at sewn seams. Even with seam tape a number 20 needles leaves a big hole in vinyl.

You could use it place of Weblon/Stamoid vertically in a fly bridge enclosure say to frame clear vinyl but remember the billboard vinyl isn't clean. It has markings and imperfections.

If you were using it in a commercial applications like making wings for a CC it could be used but it wouldn't be pretty but it would keep you dry.

I'm using the billboard vinyl to replace rip stop material that I used to make blanks for my fly bridge. Needless to say the cheap rip stop just torn all up after a few months. I used the blanks in the fall and spring while getting things ready for winter/summer.
 
I left a piece of billboard tarp outside last night.
Here you can see it is -2 degrees.


I folded the vinyl and creased it. It did get pretty stiff but didn't split or crack.


Pretty harsh conditions right now. I would say it would probably be fine over the winter months even here in New England. If it were in Alaska or Canada it might be a different story.
 
inaforty said:
I left a piece of billboard tarp outside last night.
Here you can see it is -2 degrees.


I folded the vinyl and creased it. It did get pretty stiff but didn't split or crack.


Pretty harsh conditions right now. I would say it would probably be fine over the winter months even here in New England. If it were in Alaska or Canada it might be a different story.
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Sweet... Thanks Barry :)
 
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