Frame for winter aboard

[dcollinge]

My wife and I just moved onto our Hunter 41DS and are now preparing for our first winter aboard. Living on Lake Ontario just outside Toronto, we are expecting a cold winter with average to strong winds (max about 30 knots). Most of the winter liveaboards in our area create a wooden frame over the boat, and then shrinkwrap with transparent (or semi-transparent plastic).

When we bought our boat, it came with a winter cover that included a rather large steel (or perhaps aluminum) frame. I'm wondering if anyone out there has advice for us as to whether or not the frame could be used instead of building a wooden frame (over which of course we would shrinkwrap plastic - not use the existing canvas cover). I realize that the metal will conduct more cold, but am more interested in the structural implications. Thanks!

[FamilyVan]

Use what you have, don't reinvent the wheel. Just build a full height door frame with a proper door so you're not struggling to get on board with groceries etc.

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[Mike OReilly]

Can't see why you couldn't use the existing frame, just add the necessary chafe guarding to protect the plastic. But you might want to plan for higher max winds. I've never wintered on board, but I was seriously considering it.

Our boat is on the hard in the Bay of Quinte, east of you. Our quality Genco canvas tarp was ripped beam to beam last winter in a storm. Winds were 60 knots or more, so I was told. Ironic that our cover survives five Lake Superior winters, but in one winter down in Lake Ontario it gets mangled.


Why go fast, when you can go slow

[dcollinge]

Thanks for the responses - I'll try the metal frame and will let you know how it goes!

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, dcollinge.