trailerable boat covers

[22E6441]

Why is it so hard to find boat covers that are:

a) Good quality
b) Reasonably priced
c) Proper fitting

The right length is easy, but my boat has a 60' beam....not 82. Most off the shelf covers drape down the sides so far that the material bunches up on the hwy and creates a giant parachute. You can reduce the parachute by wrapping it in additional straps, but then the covers get wear marks on them and end up with holes......

So I guess my little rant is over.

I don't feel any better.

I'm too scared to find out how much a custom cover would cost to get made.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: trailerable boat covers

Kind of a silly question, really. The "one-size fits all" doesn't work that well for boat covers. A 20' boat may have beams smaller than 60" or over 80", many with or without stern/bow rails. Placement of windshields affects the cover reinforcement for sharp edges. Since there are so many different boat makes and configurations, it's hard to buy a general boat cover and expect it to be perfect.

It's usually worth the extra cost to have a custom cover made for your boat so that everything can be tailored to match. It is significantly more expensive though, and for letting it just sit out in the rain, sometimes a cheap tarp is just as effective for the non-moving uses.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: trailerable boat covers

Next time you have a Home & Recreation Show, Boat Show, Boat & Camping show or anything similar in your community, go to it and look for tent and awning firms. They generally make custom boat covers that fit properly and you can pick the material you want. The booth directly across from mine at a local Home and Rec show specialized in boat covers. On of his designes hat a strap sewn into the hem with a ratchet system at the stern. The cover fit like a glove and required no other tie downs or straps although there were loops sewn in so you could add straps if you like. Most boat manufacturers also sell covers made specifically for their boats. As for cost, keep in mind covers are essentially hand made and it takes time to make the templates, lay out the design, cut the fabric and stitch it. I make my own trailerable covers and can attest to the time involved. You are right though. Unless the cover fits tight it will balloon.

 

[salty87]

Re: trailerable boat covers

a true trailerable cover won't be cheap. you get what you pay for there. i don't trailer with a cover on the boat but if i did it would be worth the money to make sure the gel coat doesn't get scratched up.

not trailering, i prefer that the cover comes down as far as possible on the sides.

 

[boat1010]

Re: trailerable boat covers

Yes they are expensive but very glad that I had mine made. You can see it in the picture. It snaps down all the way around the boat. I really like it for trailering because I can throw the jackets and towels and all the other stuff, drive home and take off the cover and remove everything. then it goes in the garage and dries out from the week-end fun. Well worth the money.

 

[BLDFW]

Re: trailerable boat covers

I agree. It's painfully expensive but worth the money to have one made specifically for your boat. I have a '70 Evinrude Explorer where the helm and windshield is as far forward as you can get and still be in the boat. NO ONE offers that style AT ALL.

I stopped at a local Dallas outfit the other day and got a quote of $580. Ouch!! BUT, it will be worth it as the fit will be tight and specific to the shape of my boat and will have no excess material to billow or flap when running down the freeway. It will have a ratchet mechanism to cinch the top down below the rub rail.

I'll leave the boat onsite so they can custom fit it diretly on the boat. At that time, I will have further discussions with them to insure I'm satisified.

 

[Expidia]

Re: trailerable boat covers

You don't list your boat model style, year and length. Are you just ranting or would you like someone to possibly point you towards a solution of where to buy one?

Many sites and iboats too also carry close outs of semi custom stock covers. I've seen them dirt cheap if you are willing to take a color that was not your first choice.

I posted a link below that I started awhile back when I had the same issue as you and forum members helped me to decide. Bottom line with boating is as in life, you get what you pay for.

Boating by nature causes us to expose our equipment to harsh conditions so you need to get the best you can the first time . . . Trailering is real harsh on cheap covers because of speeds at 70 mph in extreme heat or cold, wind and rain.

Here is what I learned . . . when you try to save a few dollars you really won't because when the item like a moderately priced cover prematurely fails you will then go out and have a custom one done up for you. Now you are out more than if you went for a custom one the firtst time around.

My suggestion is don't get Sunbrella, I learned it's not the best for trailering because it stretches. I had one made up with 'Top Gun" fabric and this stuff is great (same price as Sunbrella). Others will chime in and say how wonderful their Sunbrella cover is but to each his own. Sunbrella is great for enclosures and Bimini's though.

S I for one learned the hard way. First cover I bought was from a Lund dealer and it was custom for the boat. It cost me like $450 and it did not fit because of the way my Bimini frame is mounted. I could not return it because this dealer was a stand up guy and gave me a big discount so I would not return it to him. It should have cost $650. So I figure I'll sell it on Craigslist.

Then I had to go and have a shop make up a custom one and that cost $700. But I have to say as the other posters have . . . They are really worth the extra bucks. A good one should last 10 years if you don't leave it on over the winter or on a mooring exposed all day to the sun.

Here is the link: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=246790

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: trailerable boat covers

I feel your pain 6441. Got quotes of between $750 and $900 for a custom cover. Way too expensive for my pocket but have not found a good generic cover.

Have a 1970 deep V hull that sounds similar to BLDFW's. 16ft long, 78" wide and the helm/windshield is unusually far forward. Still looking.

 

[bhammer]

Re: trailerable boat covers

I just bought one right here on iBoats. Cost me almost $500 for one that is made for my boat. I went with the Shark skin cover as it was the most cost effective for the price and protection. I will vent it so there is some ventilation. try out the cover selector, or give Westland a call to help you find what you need and you can order here. http://www.westlandcovers.com/

 

[BLDFW]

Re: trailerable boat covers

Have a 1970 deep V hull that sounds similar to BLDFW's. 16ft long, 78" wide and the helm/windshield is unusually far forward. Still looking.

Oh yeah? Got a pic? I'd be interested in seeing your model. What is it?

 

[Sharp Shooter]

Re: trailerable boat covers

A good towable cover out here is $1,200 and worth every penny. It runs all the way to the bottom of the boat and has a sock liner made of velvet or some super soft material that won't scratch the best paint jobs.