Best Boat Cover for the Money

[al2ride]

I'm going to have to start storing the boat outside (it has always been in the garage). I need to find the best cover for the money that will keep it as dry as possible, here in wet Florida. There are too many options and I want to make sure I get the best for the money.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

iboats should be having a crazy cover sale coming up here shortly. You have to act quick though.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

Agree with Bubba. More money initially but will last longer and protect your boat better because it will actually fit right.

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

I'd go to your nearest wal-mart and find the cover that best fits your length and style of boat. I used a Wal-Mart cover on my fish and ski for 3 years.

I did go to Home Depot and buy an extendable cargo retaining rod which I used to "Tent" the cover, but I never had any problems. That was a great cover for 69 bucks, plus 20 bucks for the cargo rod.

Just my .02

 

[leshadow]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

..my experience. I bought a good sunbrella cover, semi-custom and breathable. Water resistant, however snow is an occasional issue in the Pacific northwest and the first snowfall nearly destroyed a $300 cover. Since then I cover this with a sheet of 6 mil poly pulled snug and tied at appropriate places with .99 tarp tie-downs. It still breathes, sheds snow instantly, and protects my nice cover as well as my nice boat! I invested another $3 and covered the windshield frame with foam pipe insulation from Home Depot, be sure to remove the glue strip first.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

For an inexpensive winter cover, I'm very happy with this one from e-bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BRAND-NEW-WATERPROOF-BOAT-COVER-17-19-NAVY-BLUE-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem43a208ec1eQQitemZ290481302558QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

Less money than the cover WalMart had, and a heavier material. I'm impressed with the stitching and the weight of the material. 100% Polyester. You will need a good cover support system. I have this one that uses fabric straps:

http://www.iboats.com/Taylor-Made-Boat-Cover-Support-System/dm/*******.428987517--**********.119617752--view_id.53516

If you're going to get snow loading, you'll need a heavier duty support system. A lot of people build one out of pvc sprinkler pipe. You need to support the cover such that the weight of the rain/snow/whatever, never causes a pond to form. I also like the idea of a tarp over the top of the main cover to add additional protection. Don't wrap the tarp too tight, or you loose the breath-ability of the system.

The foam pipe insulation over the windshield is a great idea, to keep the windshield from wearing holes in the cover from any flapping when the wind blows, and to prevent sharp edges from cutting the fabric when the snow load is heavy.

 

[DJ]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

Nothing beats a custom cover. However, iboats is cover HQ.

Check out their offerings before going anywhere else.

 

[castaic piper]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

Wallmart cover and car canopy works for me. Get the pair for under $300
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=116H8FNJVMXWM8684D8K

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

I got a Walmart cover back in 2008 and it just finally rotted out from the sun and fell apart this year 2 years for $70 not too bad but they have almost doubled the price on them now. Not that great of a deal...

The Florida sun is hard on boat covers. Not only did it rip out but after the first year it had a thick coating of black mold underneath it. I've been unhappy with it for a while now. I'm glad it ripped out.

I got another from a friend of mine that got a shed built for his. I'm not sure of the brand off hand but he got it the same time I got mine and it looks almost brand new and is well over twice as thick as the wally world cover was. We'll see how long it lasts in the direct sunlight.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

after buying a semi-custom cover form the internet.... i can tell you that my next one will be a custom snap on cover.. spent $300 on the semi custom and it would have been $600 to have it custom made locally.


definately worth the money.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

being a fellow Florida boater. the blue tarp stands up best. get some 1 1/2 inch pvc HD or Lowes, and make a center support for the tarp. that is what i use. last about 3 years.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

being a fellow Florida boater. the blue tarp stands up best. get some 1 1/2 inch pvc HD or Lowes, and make a center support for the tarp. that is what i use. last about 3 years.

I can't tell you the best cover but +1 on the tarp.

I put a walmart heavy duty tarp over my mooring cover. the tarp protects the boat and the cover. My mooring cover will let water in through the bow when it rains without the tarp due to the snap design.

With that tarp even a cheap cover should last a long time at the cost of appearance.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Best Boat Cover for the Money

I use the Iboats Semi-custom cover for summer and the big gray tarps for winter with a bucket of the Damp-Rid stuff inside the boat.
So far no mildew problems.