Boat Cover While Trailering

[KYsean]

I use a boat cover made for traveling when going to lakes and rivers and the tie downs are rope which go from side to side under the boat (not trailer) and attache to sewn in loops on the cover. Are the nylon straps that go from cover-down to trailer and back better? thanks, Sean

 

[oldjeep]

I'd want them attached to the trailer frame so that it does less scuffing on the hull.

 

[kjsAZ]

+1 to what oldjeep said but I don't trailer with cover at all. There's always a piece which flaps in the wind and wears seriously on the gel-coat. I only have my bow snap-on cover on while towing the boat as that stays put.
I replaced all the straps on my cover with 1/4" rope-ratchets (https://www.roperatchet.com/products/index.htm#1-4) as a rope doesn't flap as much as a strap. They are also easier to open and tighten than these "feed-through" buckles which come with the covers. After a while the strap gets stiff and difficult to pull through. Still, don't trailer with the cover on, only if it rains cats and dogs.......

 

[BRICH1260]

My tarp came with the nylon straps, so thats what I use. I wrap the straps in foam pipe insulation when road trailering to avoid chaffing the hull where they contact, when towing. I also secure my straps around the trailer frame to keep strap and hull contact to a minimum.

 

[JimS123]

Remove the straps and ropes and replace each one with a bungie cord in about a 6" loop. Buy bulk bungie and cut your own. Where the loop ends, pop rivet in a lashing hook. Avoid snaps like the plague. Install rear facing vents on the cover so the material will be naturally drawn down tight as you travel, with no flapping. Look at a PWC cover and use that as a guide. You won't believe how good it works.

An extra plus side is that when you get to your vacation spot and decide to moor the boat for a week, the cover will still fit very nicely and you won't need the trailer under her to tie the cover straps to.

 

[oldjeep]

Alternately, a decent trailer-able cover requires no straps.

 

[redneck joe]

Alternately, a decent trailer-able cover requires no straps.

? how does that work?

 

[oldjeep]

? how does that work?

They go just below the rub rail and have a ratchet strap or heavy rope binder built into the cover. More common on ski/wake boats - this is mine, factory cover.