Sailboat Cover

[MRJS]

Our Hunter sailboat has two yokes that hold the mast horizontally. A tarp goes over it and is tied to the trailer below.

The trouble is that it only makes a 45 degree angle, or 12/12 pitch. One thought is to add some extensions to the yokes to steepen the pitch.

I'm getting tired of brushing the snow off the tarp.

Any ideas?

[Kamper]

How about a couple pieces of ply-wood? Pad and tape the bottom edges to avoid scuffing. Hinge the upper ends with rope. Cover the whole thing with a tarp or the cover you have now, to seal it.

You could do it in sections too so it isnt such a struggle getting that weight positionned. If it starts to bow in you can add 2X4's for stiffening.

Good luck!

[fatlazyless]

How about making a new and higher horizontal ridgeline with an eight foot 2x3, maybe five feet above the existing boom, and then draping a blue polytarp over that. The increased pitch hopefully will shed all snow.

You need to figure out a way to attach the 2x3 to the mast and the main halyard (that's tied to the rear of the boom) without damaging them. Maybe stainless clamps and screw eyes.

[Dave R]

How complicated are the yokes? I would think that new longer yokes would be sturdier than extended yokes. Considering the snow loads and collapsing roofs of late, last thing you'd want to do is weaken the structure, even if it sheds snow better, it theory. I imagine a local woodworker could make some new yokes pretty easily (cheaply) if they are as simple as others I have seen.