Best cover?

[Fiat4Fun]

Howdy,

Now that I have my boat winterized, and getting ready to do some work on it over the winter, I started to think about a cover.
The boat came with a heavy canvas like cover, that fits over the top, but would not be good for use while I drive.

I know in the old days, we had a mooring cover that came with the boat, but my guess is that was custom?

Any advice on a decent cover, that I can use while driving and when it is stored in a portable garage for the winter and outside during the rest of the year.

Your input is greatly appreciated,

Thanks,
Bob

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Best cover?

The best cover is one that fits. By that I mean one that is custom made by a reputable canvas/upholstery shop that understands the rigors of trailering a boat at highway speed. A very tight fit ensures there is no "flapping" which destroys covers in a very short time. For highway travel attention needs to be placed on preventing air from getting under the cover thus preventing it from ballooning. Few generic covers work well for trailering. For outdoor storage, the cover must "tent" properly to avoid pooling of water. Once a small pool forms (even a cupful), that pool will continue to get bigger until either a seam splits or the water simply overflows off the boat.

 

[Thad]

Re: Best cover?

Ditto on Silvertip.
I will add to that, that a custom made cover will also have a soft underside at any and all contact points with the boat and it will/should be reinforced at all rub spots. Things like the cleats, windshield, bimini brackets, light, etc.

Mine has a vent in the bow section with a support pole and two vents in the cockpit area to prevent balooning. As well as any part of the cover that comes in contact with the boat is a soft felt like material and double (and in some areas triple) reinforced.

 

[Fiat4Fun]

Re: Best cover?

Thanks for the responses.

Sounds like a custom cover is the way to go. So a few quick questions,

1. If someone made a custom cover in the past, do they usually keep a template so they can recreate the cover?

2. Is there a difference in a "mooring cover" vs a custom cover? I just want to make sure I have my terms right.

3, So the "semi" custom covers that iBoats or West Marine offer do not work well going down the highway?

Thanks again for your help.

Bob

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Best cover?

Mooring covers are just that! They are used at the dock only or for storage. Use the term "Trailerable Cover" when you talk to the fabricators. And by all means spend the extra money for quality material. Even a well designed cover will not last if the material is of poor grade. Templates may be used for areas of the boat that have complex shapes (such as around windshields or other similar protrusions). A well designed cover should not require more than three straps either. One over the bow area, one over the helm area and one over the rear area of the boat. Here is a cover I made for an Alumacraft Navigator 165 CS. This cover uses a nose bra that prevents air from getting under the cover on the highway. It also allows the main cover to be used at the dock (mooring) while the trolling motor is installed. The engine cover is part of the main cover. The windshield is quickly removed so the cover is made to fit with the windshield removed which reduces wind resistance as well. All of this done with a good old Sears Kennmore sewing machine on very good quality vinyl. That cover was made in 2004. My daughter owns my previous boat and that cover was also home made and in use today after 13 years. Showing its age but still doing well.