[SBEverett]

I have a canvas winter cover for my sailboat. Historically we’ve used wood furring strips to tie the metal “ribs” together and to support the canvas from bow to stern. The wood strips were shot and tossed last season and finding long furring this year has proven to be difficult. Has anyone tried 1- or 1.25 inch ABS or PVC piping rather than wood? Curious if it would work. Boat is on the coast so big snow loads are typically not an issue. Thoughts/comments? Thanks in advance for the insight!

 

[RegisteredUser]

I would consider that size pvc pipe to be much stronger than furring strips
I'd first check a section of pipe in the store to see if you can get the bend needed before buying

 

[SBEverett]

To clarify the wood typically used was 1x2 or 1x3 which I called furring. Furring may not be the correct term....sorry for the confusion!

 

[tempest]

I think you'll be Fine with 3/4 " ID . ( 1" OD) I just looked at a length that I have in my basement and it has enough flex, and should be strong enough. If you do go larger, I second the suggestion to check the flex.

 

[SchockT]

3/4" pvc pipe should be fine, just make sure is is schedule 40 pipe and not schedule 80. Schedule 40 is a much thicker wall.

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[SBEverett]

I’ll have to check in the schedule that’s a great point thank you

 

[tempest]

 

[SBEverett]

Thank you

 

[fallard]

Galvanized steel electrical conduit (one inch) would be an option that is stiffer than the same size in PVC IIRC. The frame for my power boat uses that size electrical conduit. My sailboat frame uses 1 x 3 wood stringers and has shouldered the same snow loads as the power boat frame.

 

[bletso]

Definitely EMT conduit. I have done wood, good, 1 11/2 PVC and the first sub zero wind storm and it just destroyed itself. Protecting Vigah | Sailing Vessel Vigah Even that had a problem on one occasion with 60 mph winds but it didn't self destruct.

 

[paulk]

PVC piping will work, but it gets brittle and cracks. The sharp ends cut holes in the tarps. Ask how we found out! We used a steel conduit/wood furring strips combo for many years. The hard part to that was keeping the rubber feet on the upright ribs so that we didn't get circular rust stains on the deck.

 

[SBEverett]

good to know. I think 1/2 inch electrical conduit could also work. Transporting and storing the long 1x3 wood is tough... the conduit is 10 ft and fits in the vehicle... and is fairly strong but flexible enough for the frame... we did put new rubber feet on all the pipe last year.....

 

[JimsCAL]

good to know. I think 1/2 inch electrical conduit could also work. Transporting and storing the long 1x3 wood is tough... the conduit is 10 ft and fits in the vehicle... and is fairly strong but flexible enough for the frame... we did put new rubber feet on all the pipe last year.....

Yes, use PVC conduit, not pipe. The conduit is flexible and not brittle. My entire frame is made from 1/2" PVC conduit. Now in use 10 winters.

 

[JimsCAL]

3/4" pvc pipe should be fine, just make sure is is schedule 40 pipe and not schedule 80. Schedule 40 is a much thicker wall.

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It's actually the other way around. Schedule 80 has thicker walls than schedule 40. Same OD.

 

[SchockT]

It's actually the other way around. Schedule 80 has thicker walls than schedule 40. Same OD.

You are correct. My mistake.

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[SV Siren]

I will second the use of conduit. This is made entirely out of conduit, with connectors from our local Home Depot. We get some pretty heavy snow loads which require me to bump off the snow from the inside, but all in all it has held up for two winters so far. The original one out of PVC was a miserable failure due to the brittleness of PVC in cold temps and snow loads. I used butt connectors for long pipe run connections, and hose clamps at other junctions.

 

[Barquito]

SV Siren, I have some serious boat-cover envy.

 

[SBEverett]

That’s quite the cover! Think conduit is the way to go... thank you

 

[SV Siren]

That's quite the cover! Think conduit is the way to go... thank you

The nice thing is, I put up the frame in one day. The previous PVC frame took me three days to create. I bought a pipe bender when I purchased the pipe, and then returned it the next day, I am value minded that way..

The tops are 90 elbows, and the rest were custom bends, it was not hard to do with two people. Once the restoration is done I will modify it for a winter cover frame which will be shorter. Head height is about 9' in center max right now.