Boat cover advice needed

[quadzilla]

I want to protect my boat. I've done some<br />preliminary searching, but wondered what the<br />best way to go really is.<br /><br />Along these lines, I've got a problem.<br />My new boat is ever so slightly too big to fit<br />in my garage. (I'm going to try and move some<br />things around to make it fit - but it will be <br />tight no matter what). So I need a nice cover<br />until things get cleaned up, plus I want to keep<br />it protected when we are on our vacation trips<br />away from home this summer.<br /><br />The boat can be seen here: http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008961 <br /><br />I did some searching on covers and found a<br />following for Attwood's Dura/Vent line. They<br />seem reasonable priced and of good quality.<br />Other brands you would suggest? Care to help<br />with advice on the proper fit for my roughly 96"<br />beam on this boat?<br /><br />http://www.attwoodmarine.com/Products/products.asp?category=13>ype=1&subtype=1&path=boatcovers&categoryname=Boat+Covers%2C+Bimini+Tops+and+Acc%2E&typename=Boat+Cover&headername= B oat+Covers%2C+Bimini+Tops+and+Acc%2E<br /><br />Sound like it would be a good idea to get one of<br />the pole/strap/stand devices that holds the<br />cover up off the boat. Do they last?<br /><br /><br />Any and all ideas are appreciated. I don't want<br />to be the guy who prematurely kills his boat.<br /><br />

 

[rickyp52]

Re: Boat cover advice needed

My suggestion would be to call around your area and get quotes from a canvas shop on a custom made cover. I really like sunbrella material. It will cost you more money this way, but I think you will be much happier with a custom made cover. I've tried cookie cutter covers and have never been happy. Especially when trailering. The full mooring covers offer the best protection also.

 

[WHITEBOYY32]

Re: Boat cover advice needed

id check at wally world, they have several differeent covers in various sizes to fit anything from bass boats to run abouts to houseboats. good luck man.

 

[wellcraft1]

Re: Boat cover advice needed

I agree, a custom fit cover is the best way to go. It will cost a lot more money, but you'll be a lot happier.

 

[quadzilla]

Re: Boat cover advice needed

Originally posted by rickyp52:<br /> My suggestion would be to call around your area and get quotes from a canvas shop on a custom made cover. I really like sunbrella material. It will cost you more money this way, but I think you will be much happier with a custom made cover. I've tried cookie cutter covers and have never been happy. Especially when trailering. The full mooring covers offer the best protection also.

Can they do a breateable/waterproof fabric at a local shop? I really don't need to keep it on for trailering, but I guess if it wasn't a big upcharge to go this way, I'd consider it. What range should one expect to pay for something like this?

 

[salty87]

Re: Boat cover advice needed

i paid $400 and change for a sunbrella storage cover for my 23' boat with 8' beam. the wide beam made it a little more difficult to find one on-line. not too many places could accomodate.<br /><br />a local shop quoted me much higher for a nicer cover....snaps on the rub rail kind. their quote was near $800.<br /><br />you really do get what you pay for. you've done so much work on that boat, it looks great.

 

[teamstromer]

Re: Boat cover advice needed

check wal-mart

 

[garycinn]

Re: Boat cover advice needed

quadman,<br /><br />I have the Atwood Duravent cover and their strap / pole system and absolutely love it. For just storage you can't get a better cover IMHO. I had it on all last summer and the thing is 100% waterproof and breathes so moisture doesn't build up. For ~$100 you cannot go wrong. The cover is lightweight and very easy to manage. It probably weighs 1/3 what a canvas cover would weigh. I had a canvas "waterproof" OEM cover that was made specifically for my boat. It leaked like a sieve. I only use it now for trailering to keep the dirt out.<br /><br />I am using it for a 2001 Bryant to store it outside. I don't think a $700 custom sunbrella would do as well because the sunbrella would not be as waterproof.<br /><br />Overton's has them if you are buying on-line. Unfortunately iboats doesn't carry them.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Boat cover advice needed

I admit it, I use a cheapy Wal-Mart cover, but here is what I did: I got two pole stand thingies, and using 550 cord (parachute cord), I tie them off to the docking cleats, one stand on my front casting deck, the other behind the seat. I tie them off because they will fall otherwise. I didn't bother with any staps or any of that for the cover, I instead installed snaps to correspond to the already existing snaps on the boat itself. All I do now is place the poles, put the cover on, and snap all the snaps. Everything is tight and tented to prevent water build-up, and it was cheap. I leave my boat in the water all season with this setup and not a drop ever gets in and the wind has not hurt it yet. Ultimately a custom proper cover is the way to go, but it sounds like you just need something to keep it dry 'till the garage gets straight.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Boat cover advice needed

I've got two Attwood boat covers and the "Deluxe Boat Cover Support Systems" from Basspro and they work for me. Towing with the cover on the boat usually causes rubbing or chafing of the paint or gelcoat. I don't do it.<br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty