My DYI car/boat port

[Ronnie]

This may not interest many of you but it’s the first time I’ve been able to cover my boat with a semi-permanent structure since I started boating (not jetskiing) over 20 years ago, so it’s long over due and I am happy to show it off.

For comparison, my boat won’t fit into the local dry stack so my only other option regarding being close to the water is storing on the water is concerned is to rent a slip at the local marina the cost of which is about $325 per month including shore power but excluding a lift. If I want to a lift I have to buy one as well as pay to have installed. The cheapest used lift that i have seen which would fit my boat is about $4k. So the start up costs for a rented lift are almost $8k ($4.5k for the lift installed Plus $3.5k for the rent). The quote I got for a 25’ custom canopy with a metal roof
Was $2,500 excluding assembly/installation.

The car port is from Costco, I paid around $275 for it including taxes. The additional parts (e.g. ratchet straps, screw eyes, nuts, bolts and washers) cost me about another $100. The original car port sits on top of legs that I had from an older car port which I shortened to suit my current needs. The length of each modified leg is 11’ / 132”. The canopy is held in place with ratchet straps, attached to the fence on one side and to weights on the other side. Additionally, collars were added near the top of each leg which are bolted to the fence and house ledger.

I designed this so it would be wind resistant to the extent possible since there are two wind farms near me). It’s 20’ long, 10’ wide and about 13’ high as modified. As secured I’m all but certain it won’t be moved by winds short of a tornado. I plan to let the bow hang out the front during the boating season and let the stearn hang out the back during the off season. My rationale being that the boat bow gets sun in the morning and the stern gets it in the afternoon, it’s a lot hotter in the afternoon.

Here are some pics:

 

[Scottintexas]

good job ! I can't believe the HOA is going to let that happen though ??? If they were going to complain about your boat being in the driveway that wouldn't stand a chance in my neighborhood,

 

[Ronnie]

good job ! I can't believe the HOA is going to let that happen though ??? If they were going to complain about your boat being in the driveway that wouldn't stand a chance in my neighborhood,

No HOA at my current home and if it’s out of code compliance I haven’t heard anything yet but I just finished it last night and put the boat in it this morning.

I am not too concerned about code compliance as there are a lot of other residents here that have canopies on the sides of their homes, mostly for RVs. The town acts quickly when someone complains about trailers in the driveway OR when the front yard of a property becomes full of over grown (two feet plus high) weeds. Knock on wood but so far (this is my third summer here) they have been lax on enforcing set back requirements even on utility boxes/equipment.

 

[Beachcampin]

Congrats on the build, I have something very similar that has survived two hurricanes and two tropical storms (the canvas didn’t always survive though). It so nice to not have to worry about anti-pooling poles or getting rained on while you’re working on the boat. I don’t have sides in mine but I’m thinking of adding that next time I need to add canvas. Where did you source yours?

 

[Ronnie]

Costco. $250

Congrats on the build, I have something very similar that has survived two hurricanes and two tropical storms (the canvas didn’t always survive though). It so nice to not have to worry about anti-pooling poles or getting rained on while you’re working on the boat. I don’t have sides in mine but I’m thinking of adding that next time I need to add canvas. Where did you source yours?

Thanks for bringing up the anti pooling poles, now I’m looking forward to getting rid of them or at least not using them ever again.

I got canopy at Costco for $250 plus tax. I’m hopping this will allow the upholstery and canvas covers to last longer. I may add sone shop lights so I can work on the boat at night. It will be nice to work on the boat when I want to rather just during the day and when the weather is good.

 

[Bluewater272]

Nice price on the canopy, didn't realize Costco even sold those. I was looking at that solution for a couple years and the ShelterLogic ones were almost two grand.

 

[Ronnie]

Nice price on the canopy, didn't realize Costco even sold those. I was looking at that solution for a couple years and the ShelterLogic ones were almost two grand.

FYI the dimensions are 20’L x 10’W. I’m not sure about the height at its peak but the legs are 6’ high. The ends on the canopy have two different openings both have zippers at the sides but only one has a center zipper that goes to the peak. It has four roll up shades, two on each side and one side access door which opens up to an awning.

I saw ads for metal versions again this morning starting at 2,500 for a 25’ long one but it didn’t look high enough for a boat with a tower, just high enough for a large suv or truck without a lift.