Buying a Boat Cover

[eeboater]

Hey All,

Its been a while so I'll start with a "Long time no see..."

Moving on... I pulled my boat out this weekend. Man was that a great feeling. With that said, I've made the executive decision to keep my boat outside (on the trailer) this year rather than kicking out the vehicles and putting it in the garage.

I want to buy a full-boat cover for my boat which will protect it from the rain and other elements of summer. The cover does not need to be trailerable, I'm more concerned about when it is sitting still most of the summer.

What experience with brands, fabrics, etc have you had and what works best? Like always for all boaters, budget is tight.

If Possible, provide link examples from iboats.com's store.

Thanks in advance.
Sean

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

the best covers on a tight budget is the blue tarp from walmart, the last 2 to 3 years in Florida. i just put a 4 ft. ladder in the boat. run a line from bow over the ladder then around rear cleats and back to the ladder and tie it off. the rope from the bow, makes a tent, from the ladder arond the cleats and back makes the stearn support. tie the center to the bow stop and the back to the motor foot, then tie down the sides. very little puddling. it rained last night, and only had maybe a quart sitting on the tarp on the bow. this tarp is 3 years old, and is a used year round walmart tarp

 

[Pony]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

Hey EE, that is the cover I use. Its a Stearns Hurricane cover

"Constructed of tough 300D polyester Hurricane™ fabric that won't shrink or stretch, is resistant to mildew and UV damage, and is much stronger than ordinary cotton canvas."

"Hurricane™ fabric features unique fabric coating technology that resists dirt and stains while providing the ultimate in water resistance and repellency"

"Full-cut to allow extra room for accessories such as bow rails, running lights, etc."

"Adjustable elastic cord sewn into entire bottom hem provides a tight, custom-like fit"




I have used it now for two summers, both while it is sitting outside and while it is being trailered. I have probably at least 3-4ooo miles on it trailerd if not more, and it has never seen the inside of the garage.

The picture shown is this last summer so it is very recent. It hasnt faded and is still nice and plyable. It is still quite clean and has no signs of stress or ripping. It is hands down the best thing I have used on a boat so far, especially for the price. I know your Bayliner is much bigger, but I picked this up at fleet farm for less than $100.

Trailering with a cover is very convienient, as it allows you to keep all of your gear in there, with no need to load up the boat at the launch and have it take up space in the vehicle..........

I am not sure if you will keep it outside during winter, but I cover it with a different cover and then a tarp over the two so it really doesnt see snow. Other than that at least you know that the weather will be the same.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

My personal favorite is Sunbrella fabric. It is the most used marine fabric in the industry because it will last the longest.

Don't be "penny wise pound foolish" and buy a cheap cover. Get a custom cover made out of Sunbrella and you will be dollars ahead in 10 years when you still have the Sunbrella cover instead of going through 3 cheap ones.

I actually make my own covers. Here is my boat. I hade the cover come down over the blue gel coat to protect it from fading.

here is another I made with removable side skirts that protect the fiberglass from fading as well as the paint on the custom trailer.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

your covers are a lot prettier than mine, but in 10 years i would have spent $60.00. for 3 covers.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

I had one of those blue plastic tarps on my boat for a couple months once before I could make my new cover...huge mistake. Not only was it in shreds after a couple months but it damaged my gel coat from the wind rubbing itself against the boat and let a a lot of water in dirt in because it wasn't tight enough in places.

 

[Pony]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

I don't have the priveledge of worrying about a gelcoat, so the hurricane fabric works for me and is very cost efficient. Like I said, its still strong and non-faded after being in the elements for a few solid years. The seams are still nice and strong.

I do like your covers bruce, but they are certainly more practical in eeboaters case than mine I think. You do good work.

 

[eeboater]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

Thanks for the info guys. Pony - I never thought of Fleet. I think I may check them out today. I'm currently using a tarp to cover my boat, but I don't want to hack off my neighbors by leaving the bright blue tarp on the outside all summer. Somthing a bit better fitting would be more appropriate.

Did you guys use UV Protectant and waterproofing on your covers?

Thanks again,
Sean

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

I just ordered one of the new outdura covers from Iboats.
Supposed to be as good as Sunbrella if not better.5 year warranty.On sale for 235...Thought that was a great deal.
I will post how well its made when i get it..8)

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

I have never seen Outdura yet. Not as many colors available as Sunbrella but it is a little heavier fabric.

I am having some sample swatches sent to me.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

Yes,Only one color available thru Iboats,Looks like the same color as your brown-tan cover in your pic Bruce.
Free shipping and a good price, i wasn't really concerned about color.
Let me know what you think of the sample swatches..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

The two most popular colors today seem to be captain navy and toast.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

I like the toast color. It should go good with my boats color.Guess i will find out in about a week..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

I kinda like toast too. I picked the captain navy for my boat since I was going to make a towing cover and a rear camper cover and it needed to match the boat. I bought a 40 yard roll of the Sunbrella to cover all I needed to do.

The toast color is good because it blends in to the surroundings better than the blue so not to annoy the neighbors as much. Nothing is as bad as those bright blue tarps though.

 

[Druta]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

While were on this I need to find a place to get a boat top for my 87 Thompson 198 Carrera, Im look for someone who can make a Bimini type with front and side enclosures, Either thru mail order or by shop visit. I'm locate in Hudson Valley NY, Anyhelp out there?

 

[Druta]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

While were on this I need to find a place to get a boat top for my 87 Thompson 198 Carrera, Im looking for someone who can make a Bimini type with front and side enclosures, Either thru mail order or by shop visit. I'm locate in Hudson Valley NY, the vinyl one that came original w/ the boat is in bad shape and not worth saving. Any help out there?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

No way through mail can you do this. You will have to bring your boat to a canvas shop.

 

[Druta]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

No way through mail can you do this. You will have to bring your boat to a canvas shop.

 

[Druta]

Re: Buying a Boat Cover

ok Thanks that's what I figured sine this is a first anyone have a ruff idea of the cost ?

 

[hibbert6]

Re: Careful with the blue tarp!

Re: Careful with the blue tarp!

I used a blue tarp for 2 years and the interior of my boat got worse and worse. Couldn't figure it out. Finally had to rebuild my floor and re-carpet before I asked at the boat store. "Canvas cover," he recommended. "Canvas?" I replied, astounded. "But it's not waterproof like a blue tarp!" "Ah, but it IS water resistant, and it breathes." said the salesman. "No cover is completely waterproof, and your blue tarp let some water in, but wouldn't let it back out."

I've had my $100 canvas cover for 5 years now and I love it! Just have to support it and tie it down so water doesn't puddle. Best investment I made for this boat.

Dave