Debate Topic

[SgtAlf]

I'm fixin' to cover my R-23 with a tarp for the winter. I'm looking at the Bimini frame and wondering if I should remove the frame first. I already removed the canvas.
My concern is snow. Sometimes it's wet, heavy and deep. Thoughts?
Thanks,

 

[Newf]

I think it would depend on the amount of snow you get. Just throwing a tarp over your frame without having a good slope on it will basically be a trap for excessive weight. I would suggest making a ridge pole down the centre, high enough to provide adequate slope so that the majority of snow will slide off. I know guys that use minimal slope but they enclose everything and have it heated inside so the snow melts as it falls. Can be a costly venture depending on where you live. Again, it all depends on the amount of snow you get.

 

[NorthernFocus]

As already said it's OK to use the bimini frame to support a ridgepole assuming enough pitch to shed snow. Just stretching a tarp over the frame can be OK too if you're going to be around and diligently scrape the snow before it creates too much load. But if you won't be around or don't want to be bothered them it's best to set things up such that the bimini frame does not have to support snow load.

 

[knotflying]

When storing my 27 in the winter I ran a 2X4 on edge from the stern rail to the roof. This worked out to give me a good slope and snow just rolled off. Glad those days are gone!