Boat care

[rotorhead511]

My new boat came with a couple covers. I think they're called mooring covers. I'm not sure if they are supposed to be waterproof but they are not. After cleaning the interior and covering, when I uncovered the carpet was wet and the residual water left the boat a bit of a mess.

Is this just how it goes? I'm trying to keep it clean and dry but seem to be fighting a losing battle. The debris that falls from my trees stains the nonskid parts of the boat. I'm I being too picky?

What is the general consensus for boat care between uses? Can I clean it and cover it if the carpet is wet? I feel like I'll be building a covered parking spot for it soon.

Thanks

 

[JimS123]

What's picky to you may be nitpicking to someone else.

Personally, I make sure the boat is dry when I put it in the garage, then I cover it with a mooring cover to keep it free from dust and spiders. The boat in question is 35 years old and it looks like it came from the factory yesterday. It also runs and performs like a top.

OTOH, my buddy keeps his outside and only covers it on occasion. Its only about 8 years old and it looks like its 30. It runs like crap and he always has phase separation in the gas. His young boat is now worth less than my old one.

Cover it with a wet carpet and you're asking for mold, mildew and rot.

Your money, your choice...

 

[rotorhead511]

I hear ya. Wish I could garage it like you.

And to be clear, I haven't covered it wet but it got wet from the rain. I thought the mooring covers would keep the rain out but not so much.

 

[garbageguy]

My new boat came with a couple covers. I think they're called mooring covers. I'm not sure if they are supposed to be waterproof but they are not. After cleaning the interior and covering, when I uncovered the carpet was wet and the residual water left the boat a bit of a mess.

Is this just how it goes? I'm trying to keep it clean and dry but seem to be fighting a losing battle. The debris that falls from my trees stains the nonskid parts of the boat. I'm I being too picky?

What is the general consensus for boat care between uses? Can I clean it and cover it if the carpet is wet? I feel like I'll be building a covered parking spot for it soon.

Thanks

I've never had a new boat with a new cover, but from your description of what you have, think yours should be if put on properly. I clean and re-treat covers when they need it, usually annually. Leaving things wet (that are supposed to be dry) is not good in my book.

OTOH, keeping a boat (clean and dry, not to mention other maintenance) requires a fair amount of effort.

 

[AlabamaNewbie]

I bought one of those universal fit boat covers at a big local box store who's name I won't mention. I bought my boat knowing it needed a complete restore. First thing I did was pull up a section of deck over the gas tank and throw the cover on it. I don't have a garage either - I am restoring this thing in my yard. Every day when I am done working, the $50 cover goes back on it. It's not pretty, but it keeps it dry. Well let me rephrase - it keeps it from adding any additional water. :lol:

Point being, one of those $50 covers, while ugly, won't let the rain in.

 

[BRICH1260]

Waterproof your existing cover with a product like 303 or Starbright or if even that fails, buy a cheap poly tarp and put over it. Water sitting inside a boat is not good on it long term.

 

[superbenk]

I also have 2 covers. 1 is a full winter cover that I bought after getting the boat. It’s made from Sunbrella material, is heavyish, wraps around the boat over the sides & was not cheap ($500-600). I also have snap on covers that are a 2 piece deal that zip together. One covers the bow & the other covers the cockpit.

The winter cover doesn’t leak but won’t fit with the Bimini on the boat. The 2-piece drips a little around the openings for the Bimini supports (they have Velcro to hold them closed but don’t seal off completely. I’ve also noticed that if my boat isn’t sitting level with the 2-piece cover on then water comes in under the edges where it snaps on.

You can treat the fabric to make it water resistant that would help a lot, I imagine. Haven’t done that yet but keep meaning to.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you need to water proof your covers every 6 months or less.

dont care if its 303 or starbrite, it needs to be re-applied to be effective

 

[roffey]

If the boat is brand new as in the OP is the first owner the covers should be water resistant. There should be no water in the boat after a rain or very little. The covers should let the boat the moisture inside evaporate. My cover is 4 years old and it will repel water, if it gets soaked then there will be some water inside but not like the OP describes. I would go back to the dealer and ask. New boats are expensive and you the new owner should not have to settle and no, you are not being picky.

 

[rotorhead511]

If the boat is brand new as in the OP is the first owner the covers should be water resistant. There should be no water in the boat after a rain or very little. The covers should let the boat the moisture inside evaporate. My cover is 4 years old and it will repel water, if it gets soaked then there will be some water inside but not like the OP describes. I would go back to the dealer and ask. New boats are expensive and you the new owner should not have to settle and no, you are not being picky.

Sorry, new to me equals 2011. The PO stored it in a garage its whole life but I don't have that convenience. I'm guessing he never had to worry about the covers and never reapplied any water proofer.

That will be my next step.

 

[JimS123]

Just a follow up thought...

My old buddy years ago would buy the cheapest pool cover he could find. Due to the size it draped over the boat and trailer as well. It always kept the boat dry.

You do need to install some vents or mold will be an issue.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Get some waterproofing on those covers, and if they are exposed to the elements constantly, be ready to clean and re-treat the covers with waterproofing on a regular basis. Not cheap, but cheaper than a new boat... I really like the 303 Fabric Care, but any good water repellent should work.

I tried wading through iboat's godawful search feature to find a link for you, but I could not find it. I would think they might sell that stuff, but I couldn't find it...

 

[SkiGuy1980]

Is this just how it goes? I'm trying to keep it clean and dry but seem to be fighting a losing battle. The debris that falls from my trees stains the nonskid parts of the boat. I'm I being too picky?
Thanks

As previously noted keeping a boat dry takes some effort. Drain it each time it's used and leave uncovered until it dries out. Do not cover the boat if the carpet is wet (same goes for any water languishing in the bilge). If you do mold and mildew will surely set in. I know this is a pain... watching for rain and getting the covers on - just in case it starts to sprinkle. I also wipe all the upholstry with dry towels after use. I took the snap in carpet out and only put it in when weather is dry and the decking is too hot to handle.

My new boat came with mooring covers (snap fitted to the bow and the cabin area). They are Sunbrella and I'll use the 303 to treat them at the beginning of each season. I also plan to get a road cover that wraps over the deck and ties underneath. That should eliminate water getting in from rain. I was able to arrange for inside storage with a local guy that has room in his pole building. This is my lifesaver - no more sitting under trees getting filthy and getting dumped on when it rains. The fellow is at the building each day for his business and will set the boat out (or put it away) when I need it for $40/month.

The issues you brought up can drive you crazy if you are trying to take care of your stuff. To be clear, you are not being too picky. You really do need to keep it dry or dry it out before covering. I wish you the best with this.

 

[briangcc]

As mentioned above, time to waterproof the cover. That being said though this may not keep the boat dry. Reason I say that is that my snap on covers have cut outs around the attachment points for the bimini top. They'll definitely let water in if this is the only cover used.

When stored on a trailer, my boat has a trailer cover and then I also received the original poly shipping cover (with vents) that I put over top to make sure rain water doesn't get in.

 

[Cortes100]

Another tid bit......make sure the covers are tight, pole underneath to slope fabric. If the water pools anywhere, it will leak right through. Another spot to look is where the front cover attaches to the back one right in front of the windshield. If not hooked up properly, also leaves a big gap for water to run straight in.
If you need to leave it outside, just buy a big one piece cover, lots of options out there for $100-200.
Yes it is a little bit of work, but that's another part of owning a boat.
Lucky for me, I park in a warm garage. I open the covers, hang up life jackets, wet suits, and done till the next time. And don't have to worry about someone stealing any of the gear or toys.