Cover support

[Lakeside]

I just got a new Toyota Marine boat cover.  One of the parts that came with it is a support pole that goes from the floor in the passenger area up through a hole that you cut in the canvas.  The directions ask that you screw a fixed plastic ring around the small hole you cut and run the pole through it.  Then you tie a small rope that is attached to the ring to the top of the pole to provide support for the cover to get rid of rainwater, etc. 

I suppose it's just how the center pole works in a circus tent.

The OEM Toyota cover that I am replacing did not have this ring/pole contraption set up. 

Have any of you used this set up?  Does it work over the long run?

[Bitzco]

I had one on my X-22 cover. It worked for rain but not for snow. The bar collapsed with heavy snow on it.

[toyotafreak]

I use mine becuase it's there but it's not good enough even for rain in my experience. I still get little puddles that left unattended will end up dripping through or at least molding out.

Before you cut canvas, maybe try a PVC dillyo that goes from up near the windshield frame to the ski pole on a V-drive or somewhere back at the end of a cockpit for a d-drive. If you had a pipe running that length that was supported in the middle, I think you'd probably make a much better watershed (and it'll only cost you a trip to The Home Depot and a few minutes with a hose to see).

Maybe if you went straight up from the d-drive tow pole, then 90'd aft to the stainless handle on the back of the transom (would obviously need a 45 or so bend back there), with a support planted between the engine cover and rear seat... Cut open up a tee to rest on the grab handle.

Okay enough. Like you asked for all that ;-) And yes, I expect Pete to come back with how can I call his stuff ghetto ;-)

[cyclone]

I installed those poles in my original Toyota cover. The one for the front will keep the water from pooling up there, but the one in the back does almost nothing. I didn't use it with my second cover that I got from Bitzy. I made a simple cover support out of PVC that attaches to the tow pylon, then runs to the back seat with two legs that support it off the floor. It works fine.

[breakawaydaze]

Hey,

Where did you get that cover and how much was it?  (if you don't mind me askin')

[Lakeside]

$400 from Ski Masters in Washington (shipping included).

[Windy2]

Just a note for the Home Depot crowd - if you get an ABS 2" sewer line tee and sand out the inside just a hair, it will fit nicely over the ski pylon.  Now, if you glue a short radius elbow at just the right angle to one side, it will point slightly up towards the windshield.  Glue about 2' of 2" ABS straight pipe into this.  Next, get a 10' of white/grey PVC 2" built-in vac tube and a tee of the same stuff.  The 2" vac-tube is a perfect sliding fit inside the 2" ABS and the tee on the end can be notched out to fit over the windshield.  Total cost - $12.  Since you've now got a sliding fit between the ABS and the PVC, the support becomes sort of springy and is both easy to install, easy to get the snap top over and easy to fit - just need to get the length to within about 12" and Bob's your uncle.  I usually put a sock under the top to protect the windshield (like the plastic might scratch the aluminum...) but that's not entirely necessary.

[westtx]

I just pull the seats and make a pyramid in the front and back. It serves the dual purpose of providing ventilation to the under-seat storage areas and the seats prop up the top nicely. I put a ski vest on top of the cushions to keep the top from rubbing on them. The set-up takes a maximum of 2 minutes per outing

[Lakeside]

Sweet!

I'm getting the boat out of storage tomorrow!  Drove home from work today along Lake Michigan and it was like glass as far as the eye could see!  Let the good times roll!