If you’re looking to build a homemade boat cover, you’ve found the right spot. There are so many options out there to create a custom project, starting with the different types of building materials and the various styles of structures you can build when you design your own. In this post, we present boat cover support ideas to inspire your project and give you information about the best building materials to do it.

Whether you are an experienced DIYer or a newbie, get ready to find out more about the various ways to create a project that’s accessible, using minimal tools!

1. Klaas’ steel tubes DIY boat cover

When you build with tinktube, there are always 2 options:

1. Using tinktube’s pipes and connectors: These two materials are designed to work together. They offer the best strength once assembled, resulting in sturdy and resistant structures.

2. Using tinktube’s connectors with other types of pipes, like 3/4 in. EMT conduit: In this case, you’ll have to use adaptors. They are sold online with the connectors. You have to choose this specific option when you add the connectors to your cart.

Klaas built his own boat cover support system with one-inch gauge aluminum pipes and tinktube’s connectors, using adaptors as shims so the connectors would be compatible with the aluminum pipes.

2. Boat cover support system

Barry and Cindy Robison are experienced DIYers & creators of this inspiring project. They welded their DIY boat cover, but you could practically build the same design without welding. How? With the tinktube system.

Creating the same angles and the overall shape of the structure is possible: all you have to do is choose the right connectors and draft a plan ahead to plan how many tubes you’ll need!

DIY boat cover support system — Photo credits: ourrecipesforsuccess.com

3. Pontoon boat cover DIY

Boat Cover Support Ideas — Photo credits: boatingbasicsonline.com

Pontoons are the perfect boats for family and friends gatherings. You own a pontoon boat? You’ll be able to protect your deck and whatever it accommodates – lounge area, stand-up bar or any other type of set-up – with a homemade boat cover.

Again, building your project with steel tubes will enhance its sturdiness and durability. You can also make it easily removable too!

4. Arch support system for boat covers

Simple yet efficient, this design will give you optimal strength when built with steel tubes instead of PVC pipes. And guess what? You can easily bend the tubes without special tools – many DIYers have done it before.

In fact, one of our clients named Ryan explained his process like so: “To bend the tubes, I built a jig out of plywood. I cut two equal semicircles of 1/2” plywood slightly smaller than the radius of the bend I needed, and two more semicircles with a radius an inch larger.

I sandwiched the two smaller semicircles between the two larger ones. In this way, there is 1″ X 1″ groove that the tinktube can sit in. I then fixed the tube at one end using clamps and bent it around the semicircle by hand.”

5. Boat cover support pole

boat cover support poles — Photo credits: youtube.com

This example shows a simple way to keep the inside of your boat dry and clean. Using tinktube’s pipes and structural anchors to stabilize the poles at both ends, all you’ll have to do is cut the tubes at the desired length and pop the anchor in with a rubber mallet.

Important note: Once fixed to the tube, the anchor will be incredibly difficult to remove due to its design.

PVC alternative to build your boat cover frame

Are you considering the benefits of building a PVC boat cover support instead of using steel tubing?

If you’re already sold on PVC for your DIY projects, it’s your call -we’re not here to tell you what to do! But we’d still like to point out that, unlike your favorite building material, steel pipes offer impressive durability. Not only is the material more resistant, but it will also be reusable for other projects (you’ll be able to deconstruct your steel pipe boat cover support to create something else with your building material if you ever need to, instead of throwing it away). It is therefore more budget-friendly AND it reduces your environmental footprint!

All aboard: your homemade boat cover DIY sets sail now!

Whether you own a pontoon, a speed boat or a canoe, we hope you found inspiring ideas to protect your boat from the rain and the snow! If you have questions while planning your project, drafting your plans or shopping for tubes and connectors, schedule a call with Esteban. He’ll be able to give you useful advice to make your boat cover support project as successful as possible!