: Rehd,

: I've been tinkering with the hoop-house idea for a while. I have no problem
: gettin kayaks out of my basement workshop, but I have plans for a 21'
: sailboat that I want to start on after I finish the Grebe I've started for
: the kids.

: A few questions: How strong/stable is the structure, with respect to winds?
: Does it feel like it would stand up to some snow loading? I know you don't
: have to worry about that problem but I do. I could brush the snow off
: daily but I'd hate to wake in the morning and find the structure
: flattened.
: If you figure 2-3 years out of the tarps, I'd have to hurry it took me 2 1/2
: years to complete the Baidarka, but I work better under pressure

: Keep up the good work!!

: Kehn

Hi Kehn

As is, the structure is fairly strong... the tarp holds it all together pretty well. I won't have much problem with wind as it's between two houses and fences on two sides and a barn on the third..

The pictures I didn't have developed yet show how I mounded dirt on the inside and outside edges to anchor the wood clamps all the way around. That pulled the tarp fairly taught. I have pulled the rib-cage around a little and it takes some pressure to move it more than an inch or two...

If you are going to have some wind exposure, I would do some bracing inside on the end pieces. How I would do it would be to put a tee fitting on the end ribs ( all four ) about halfway up. On the single hole, I would drill through and put some eye-bolts and nuts on it. Then on the center ribs, at ground level I'd put a cross joint ( so the stake would pass through ) and do the same thing with the eye-bolts, then tie them together with some small rope or non-stretching cord. You might also use the same idea to cross the ends.
You could use outside tie-downs, but you'd have to hole the tarp and that would compromise it's water resistance.
I will also be adding some 2 lb coffee cans full of cement and an eye-bolt so I can bungie or rope tie it in 4 or 6 places for added security.

I can't tell you anything about snow loads and what it might hold. It seems pretty strong, but I don't know nothin' about snow... except it's white or yellow and I don't eat the yellow snow..!!

However, if it needs extra bracing for the weight, I would take cross fittings, same as the top joints, and do them along the side about two or three feet off the ground.. That would give you some extra support and help out as long as you didn't let it bury the structure. I doubt it would hold up to that kind of weight. Maybe a few inches of powder, but surely not the wet stuff.

Longevity of the tarps is probably peculiar to the area. We get some pretty nasty heat and sun down here from Mid-Spring till Mid Fall and these tarps will only last about 2 or maybe 3 seasons before they start disentigrating. In the north or in somewhat shady areas maybe longer...

One thing I would do different and may still, would be to run the 1/2" PVC up a little higher on the rib bottoms and maybe lengthen the ones in the top cross fittings to around 18" or more. that makes the top joints much stiffer. '

Of course, I did as the plan called for and didn't glue any of the joints. If they were glued, it would be much more solid.. But, much less portable at the same time....

Hope that helps!

Rehd