Boat Cover Dilemma

[mainexile]

This spring, I bought a semi-custom Carver cover for my 78 Grady White 17' Pacer 174 bowrider with a Mercruiser 470 (yeah, I know). The cover has an elasticized band around the perimeter and it has loops and straps for trailering. The boat is docked during the summer, so the straps are not used at while it's dockside. As the summer progressed, the cover stretched out to the point that when any wind stronger than a mild breeze came up, it would lift the cover up and over the rub rail and deposit it (the cover) either on the dock or in the water. I just pulled the boat out for the winter, and I'm planning to install snaps on the cover and the boat to keep the cover securely in place. My question is: Since the cover is designed to fit over the rub rail, should I put the male portion of the snap above or below the rub rail? I could mount below, but I'm afraid that the cover will wear at the points that the fenders rub against it and the dock. Or, I could place the snaps above the rub rail, but that leaves open the possibility of wind getting under the elasticized band, lifting the cover up and putting strain on the female snap tearing the cover. Any thoughts or experience on this?

 

[Taxus812]

Re: Boat Cover Dilemma

If it was me I would put snaps above the rub rail (I have mine there for the two piece mooring cover) . Why not replace the elastic band with webbing or a non stretching rope and cinch it down when you cover it. (like westland covers). I have even have it on my cheap Job Lot cover and it holds in 45Mph winds so far.

 

[moosehead]

Re: Boat Cover Dilemma

....replace the elastic band with webbing or a non stretching rope and cinch it down when you cover it. (like westland covers).....

^this X2

 

[jbach]

Re: Boat Cover Dilemma

Why not replace the elastic band with webbing or a non stretching rope and cinch it down when you cover it.

^this. no need for snaps all over the boat, especially if they need to be below the rub rail to be functional. replace the band with regular old rope or nylon webbing with a cinch attached.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Boat Cover Dilemma

Uh, why not just shorten the existing bungee cord until it works again? - Grandad

 

[JimS123]

Re: Boat Cover Dilemma

Forget the snaps. By a small bulk roll of bungie cord and then cut pieces to fit in each of the tie down (trailering) loops. Then install a SS lashing hook about 8" below each loop of cord. Adjust the loop size so it pulls the cover down tight. When moored at the dock tie the fenders to the dock not the boat. No ;line to touch the boat, just fender.

My Carver cover is the best I ever owned and fits perfect. Snaps are a "recent" invention. Grandpa's boat never used them - he always used bronze lashing hooks. I switched in 2009 and its sooooo much better.

The elastic band works fantastic....don't change that. The way it is my cover trails perfect, or holds tight on a dock. In nay event, you DO need several cover bows to keep it upright.

 

[mainexile]

Re: Boat Cover Dilemma

Thanks for the advice, guys. I knew I could find help here.

 

[bspeth]

Re: Boat Cover Dilemma

In run paracord through the loops below the rub rail,through the bow eye and the eyes in the rear and cinch it down. It is impossible for it to come off.