best overall boat cover

[arty007]

okay so.. i just bought a boat and need a good cover for it im looking for something waterproof, long lasting,trailerable.. i see all these diferent companies with somewhat same prices who makes the best custom covers?

 

[arks]

Re: best overall boat cover

Just my opinion, but the BEST cover is custom-made to the boat by a canvas shop. This type of cover snaps to the boat hull to keep it secure and tight.

All the "custom fitted" off-the-rack covers I've ever bought had the same problems- not tight enough to trailer and/or ponding of rainwater. The elastic around the perimeter just doesn't work very well at keeping it tight, and adding straps under the hull is a major hassle. Also, the fabric was not cut to match the boat's profile exactly- probably to allow it to fit other similar boats.

My prevoius boat had a custom-made cockpit cover when I sold it in 2004. That cover was 14 years old and still perfectly functional. Yes you pay more, but with normal care they'll last a long time.

 

[cbavier]

Re: best overall boat cover

Mine is Custom made with 70 some snaps on the Cockpit cover alone , It's made from Sumbrella with three vents and poles. It's 23 years old and still looks good and keeps 90% of the water out and is used all summer outside when it's going to rain. Boat is stored inside for the winter with the cover on to keep dust and dirt out. I have the Vinyl Bimini top for summer use when there is no rain present. It's also 23 years old. My boat stays in the water three out of four weeks of the month from June to October. It's trailerable
too without flapping on the freeway.

 

[Action]

Re: best overall boat cover

I would agree with "arks".....you are best to get one fitted for the boat, that way it is tight in fit, you won't have to worry about it flapping while trailering and it is easy to throw on the boat in case of rain, etc.

 

[arty007]

Re: best overall boat cover

cool,but what material should i get sunbrella,sharkskin,other? i have a custom one on right now that came with the boat but it's torn in the center and when i pull on the fabrick it gets worse...it has the bungees that hook up around the trailer eyelets,are those any good or better that the snap kind? it seems pretty tight though!.

 

[cbavier]

Re: best overall boat cover

cool,but what material should i get sunbrella,sharkskin,other? i have a custom one on right now that came with the boat but it's torn in the center and when i pull on the fabrick it gets worse...it has the bungees that hook up around the trailer eyelets,are those any good or better that the snap kind? it seems pretty tight though!.

Like I said mine is the snap kind. If you have one but it's torn. Why not take it to a canvas shop and see if they can repair and reinforce it. That is if your happy with it. From my experience I've had the canvas on a 12 ft Aluminum with the ropes and ties which didn't fit good and billowed in the wind and the snap kind that I use on my 4 winns. I like the snap better. But the Bow and Cockpit covers were $800 if I remember correctly. They don't come cheap. The old saying you get what you pay for.

 

[bassman284]

Re: best overall boat cover

First thing I would do is take the present cover to the canvas shop and see if they can patch it. I had to do that with my custom made covr when I moved the seats around from the original position and wore a couple of holes i the canvas on a 500 mile trip. They patched the holes and sewed vinyl patches on the revers side so I could use those seat positions in the future. It's not as pristine as a new cover but very effective. If the present cover is in good shape otherwise you chould be able to get a few more years out of it.

Mine also has the bungee tie downs. I've pulled it in a couple of really heavy rains and never got a drop of water inside.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: best overall boat cover

I'm taking my boat to have a full snap-on cover made next week. I was going to have it made with Sunbrella, but the cover shop talked me into Top-Gun with vents only due to the boat always being stored outside during the summer. This material does not breath as well as Sunbrella, but is more water proof, and also shares the same UV protection. His estimate is $800 for full cover, spare tire cover and outdrive cover, with pull strap to keep secured. All reinforced at places like trolling motor mount etc... He backs his work up with a full 5 year warranty...

 

[cbavier]

Re: best overall boat cover

Ask him about repairing the old cover while the boat is there too. He might fold the two together and give you a good deal. Hey it doesn't cost nothing to ask.

 

[cube21]

Re: best overall boat cover

In Phoenix we have to worry about the heat and sun more than anything.
Right now we have your basic wallyworld cover with elastic straps.

We are trying to decide whats better:
-Get a $50 dollar cover once a year that does its job for the most most part, non trailerable.
-Get an $800 snap-on cover and keep it until it goes bad...(5 years??)
From what I've heard, the sun around here destroys any cover within a few years, regardless of the quality. So Im thinking its better for us to keep replacing the cheap ones than shell out bookoo bucks for one that will go bad anyway. Guess it depends on where its being stored and what you want your cover for.

-CUBE-

 

[mtbdudex]

Re: best overall boat cover

So,
what did you end up doing?

My 1996 Four Winns 170 Horizon factory snap-on cover is on it's last legs, ripped where the center pole is (duct taped only holds 3-4 weeks), and the UV damage shows, the threads on the seams are just going.

Therefore rather than another thread I'll piggyback on this.
I've also gotten the $700-$800 range for a factory replacement cover (separate bow + main cabin) from 3 different people.

Heck, if I could get a factory cut cover w/o snaps I'd then install the snaps onto the cover myself (I have the cover snap install tool ), has anyone done that?
Can you save $$ that way?

 

[cube21]

Re: best overall boat cover

For now we went with the Wally World boat cover. So far its done a great job (this summer). With bungees its really tight and works probably as good as any custom fit, except its not trailerable.
Our Caravelle has the buttons for a snap on cover but for the price, we decided its not worth ordering a new one.
In addition to the cheap cover we also bought a 20' canopy that covers the boat as well. That combination has done great so far.

We couldnt justify a $300+ cover when the heat and sunlight will tear it up in a few years anyway. Well keep our cheap one until it goes and shell out for another when needed.