The never-ending project to fill
my hole in the ocean while bailing it out
Covering Chip Ahoy for the Winter
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Click thumbnails for a larger picture |
Description |
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The first winter I owned Chip Ahoy,
after buying it in December of 2002, it was covered by the previous
owner; I simply trailered it home, removed all its teak woodwork for
much-needed refinishing, and left the boat covered as I'd found it.
For the second winter (2003-04) I
covered it myself, and found that heavy snowfalls sat in pockets at the
lifelines: I had to keep running out after a storm (in some of the
better storms, during!) to shovel it off before the weight damaged the
tarp.
For my third winter owning the boat (2004-05), I
added the rope cross-supports (photos on the left) in an attempt to
disperse some of the snowfall's weight. While it was an
improvement, it still left much to be desired, as the nylon rope sagged
under weight too. |
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For this winter (2005-06), Wally
Riddle is storing his boat ("Carpe Diem") in my yard, behind Chip Ahoy.
When I saw
his design
for supporting the tarp, I was inspired. Others had suggested
similar solutions, so for the coming winter I decided to adopt a version
for my boat. |
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As Wally did, I also used
½" PVC pipe. Since I now have a
stern pulpit (which "Carpe Diem" doesn't), instead of using "T"
connectors and creating two stringers running forward and aft along the
lifeline stanchions into which the ribs connect, I decided to use
existing support aboard to fasten the ribs. (Nov.
7, 2005) |
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At the end of each rib, I glued a PVC
45° elbow, drilled a hole through
the rib just above the connection, and fastened a piece of line through
it to either a stanchion, the stern pulpit, or a lifeline. The
bend of the elbows, I hope, will prevent the tarp from wearing through
or ripping where it turns over the end of each rib. |
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The skeleton completed and so far
looking good. Don't mind
that little
outboard
with the long steering handle -- it's off the dinghy, "Chip Mate," there
just to run out the gas for winter storage. (Nov. 7, 2005) |
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Chip Ahoy covered and moved alongside
the house. Wally Riddle's "Carpe Diem" rests behind for the
winter. (Nov. 9, 2005) |
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Chip Ahoy, covered for the winter of
2005-06. The new frame seems to work quite well. Time to
tighten-up the tie-down lines.
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Seen from above with all lines taut.
The ribs remind me of a Conestoga wagon with its hoop frame. Come
to think of it, those old wagons were also called "prairie schooners"!
(Nov. 12, 2005) |
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This design should give piling snow
little to catch on and pocket in over the coming winter. The
roller-furler drum at the base of the mast, overhanging the bow pulpit,
is also covered tightly to prevent icing and expansion damage. |
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I wrapped a small piece of tarp around
the protruding mast head truck and anchor light before pulling the aft
tarp over and securing it. Last winter I used a single, lightweight tarp
(see third photo down, above). For this coming winter, I instead used
two double-sided (silver backsides), heavy-duty tarps with reinforced
grommets.
As the old carole goes, "Oh the weather outside
is frightful;
But the fire is so
delightful; And since
we've no place to go; Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Let It
Snow!"
Grrrr,
I hate winter! |
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"Chip Ahoy" (foreground) and Wally
Riddle's "Carpe Diem" weathered the first storm of the winter season (Dec.
10, 2005) well beneath their tarps and PVC skeleton frames. |
Covering Chip Ahoy: 2010-11
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Covering Chip
Ahoy: 2009-10
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Covering Chip
Ahoy: 2008-09
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Covering Chip Ahoy: 2007-08
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Covering Chip Ahoy: 2006-07
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See also:
Adding Wally's PVC
cage to covering Chip Ahoy (2007) |
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