Let's talk boat covers

[njrextreme]

I am in the market for a new outdoor boat cover. I have bought the farm & fleet kind and they do not last for me. I live in Illinois and as some know, all four seasons tend to hurt outside stored boats. It sits in the driveway year round. I want to know what covers are the best for my needs? What do other people use? Ive seen them advertised on this site as well. I just want a thick and very weather/water proof cover.
Thanks, Nick

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Let's talk boat covers

No personal experience (yet, I have it bookmarked for possible later purchase) but a couple forum members have recommended these http://stores.ebay.com/safeguardcovers of watch for iboats to have their crazy blow out sale towards the end of the season.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Let's talk boat covers

My cover was custom made by a shop that does almost nothing but boat covers in the area. It was made in 1996 at the cost of about 25 bucks a foot. Yeah, it wasn't cheap, but it hasn't fell apart yet and still sheds water.

 

[109jb]

Re: Let's talk boat covers

I also live in Illinois (Morris), and have gone through the cheap universal fit covers as well. The fit was never very good and they always seemed cheaply made and didn't last. I usually keep the boat in my barn during the season, but it does go outside if I need the space and it does sit outside in the off-season because I have to make room for the snowmobiles. Just this year I decided to buy a semi-custom fit cover. I bought it off e-bay and have to say that it looks like a quality cover and it fits pretty darn well. It doesn't fit as well as a full custom cover would but it is a whole lot better than the universal covers. It was also not too expensive at $180 shipped. Here is a link to one from the same supplier on e-bay. It isn't the one I got because I don't see a listing for my model anymore but yours may be on there.

BTW, I built a frame out of PVC pipe to support the cover and keep it "tented" so that water doesn't collect.

When I get a chance I will post a pic of it on the boat.

Good luck

 

[TyeeMan]

Re: Let's talk boat covers

The best thing you could do is have a custom cover made by a reputable place that uses a polyester marine "canvas", not the regular canvas. A custom cover won't flap in the wind and scratch all your paint off and a lot of times you can get them in a color that compliments your boat. Do a search on Top Gun boat covers.
For my 17' Lund Tyee it ran me $550.00. MY new to me Tyee will have one of those covers guarenteed!!

 

[njrextreme]

Re: Let's talk boat covers

I wonder if I can just buy the marine canvas and have my Mother sew it for me. She is a prof. seamstress and has a heavy duty sewing machine. Hmmm-lol- I allready have her sewing the vinyl for my new pads. And my boat does have the snap buttons arorund the top. Maybe just the 180-200 dollar range for it this year. Thanks for the replys

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Let's talk boat covers

Couple years ago now, I bought an OEM fit, Westland cover through iboats. I chose the Sunbrella material and have been extremely pleased at how well it fit, has performed and stood up to the elements. It sits outside year round. Two winters of snow and ice. The cover looks almost new and I've never even hosed it off. The Sunbrella material is definitely worth the little extra it may cost.

 

[njrextreme]

Re: Let's talk boat covers

Couple years ago now, I bought an OEM fit, Westland cover through iboats. I chose the Sunbrella material and have been extremely pleased at how well it fit, has performed and stood up to the elements. It sits outside year round. Two winters of snow and ice. The cover looks almost new and I've never even hosed it off. The Sunbrella material is definitely worth the little extra it may cost.

Thanks for the info!

 

[wbc1957]

Re: Let's talk boat covers

I made two attempts at a cover for my '82 Cobalt thru iboats. Westland finally admitted they only have patterns going back to 1990, so any cover earlier than that is universal only. I got refunded by iboats, and then I had one made through Angola Boat Covers starting as low as $12.50 per foot. I got it in three weeks and it fits perfectly. I had asked and they agreed they had the pattern in stock, no problem. It was only 30% more than the Westland, but fitment was well worth it. (The Westland versions wouldn't even go completely across the bow on either cover! Universal covers are not the way to go.)

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Let's talk boat covers

I think that the OP is talking about a cover for storing his boat when not in use. Paying all that money for a custom cover is CRAZY. I live in Minnesota and have had several different kinds of boats.

The first thing to establish is what kind of boat you've got. If it's a 14' aluminum boat, just leave it outside without a cover. Nothing bad will happen. You can even flip it upside down in the winter. If you've got a nice interior that you want to keep clean, then you'll want a storage cover.

The second thing to establish is what kind of storage are you talking about? If you're talking about storing during the open water season, then you need something mainly to keep the sun from causing everything to fade and keeping leaves and everything else from landing in your boat. You don't need to worry about rain....it's a boat. It's made to be wet. Keep the drain plug out and the boat slanted towards the stern and rainwater will drain out.

If you are talking about winter storage, then my suggestion is that you stick with the general purpose covers that you can get at Fleet Farm or whatnot, but put a good tarp over it in the winter. If you really want to keep the snow from causing the tarp/cover to sag, build a horse out of 2x4s to keep the covers elevated in the center of the boat.

If you are talking about trailering with a cover, then you probably do want to look at a custom cover. I never trailer with a cover because I think that they are more hassle than help, but to each their own.

Good luck!

 

[njrextreme]

Re: Let's talk boat covers

Its a 16 foot ski and fish fiberglass boat w/ carpet. I need a year round cover. Rain, wind, cold, and snow.