Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

[Jacalore]

Anyone recommend a boat cover (17' ski boat w/IO) that is both waterproof and able to withstand highway travel? My old one (Cabela) is neither, plus old and ripped. Time to find a replacement.
Thanks.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

although this wasn't your question, many boaters prefer to trailer uncovered because a good trailerable cover is expensive and hard to find one that really works well. Those who are that concerned about cosmetics won't want them flapping and rubbing at highway speeds. PLus driving home uncovered dries out the boat--essential for good boat maintenance.

less expensive covers simply don't last very long but there's not a lot you can do about it. However, not exposing it to highway wind speed prolongs the life of the cover.

Just some unsolicited advice!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

In my experience a sharkskin cover will stretch the least, thus will stand up to wind best. Its also quite waterproof. Whatever cover you buy, be sure its listed as "trailerable". If it is trailerable, and you install it correctly, it should not flap in the wind. A custom made cover should fit perfect from the get go.

I used to prefer regular "canvas" (cotton twill), but in highway use it will need to be re-treated every couple of years to restore the waterproofing. My "traveling" fishing boat's canvas cover was bought in 1988 and its still in use. My "classic" boat's cover is a Taylormade sharkskin that's only 5 years old, so the long term stability is still an unknown to me.

I would never even consider trailing beyond a mile from my house without the cover. Bird poop and road dirt make a mess of my upholstery, plus it always rains on the way to or from vacation. My boat is always bone dry. Without a cover it would always be wet. Also with the cover on I can leave all the gear where i want it, and even put other personal items to transport without the worry of it flying out or getting soaked.

I have quite a collection of PFDs and cooler lids that we pick up on an open stretch of the internet on the way to vacation.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I'm sure they are sold here at Iboats. I bought one from Cabalas long ago. Sold the boat and the new owner is still using it. Works great. Kept the cover on traveling as 'stuff' was kept in it.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

although this wasn't your question, many boaters prefer to trailer uncovered because a good trailerable cover is expensive and hard to find one that really works well. Those who are that concerned about cosmetics won't want them flapping and rubbing at highway speeds. PLus driving home uncovered dries out the boat--essential for good boat maintenance.

less expensive covers simply don't last very long but there's not a lot you can do about it. However, not exposing it to highway wind speed prolongs the life of the cover.

Just some unsolicited advice!

Thank you for that.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

In my experience a sharkskin cover will stretch the least, thus will stand up to wind best. Its also quite waterproof. Whatever cover you buy, be sure its listed as "trailerable". If it is trailerable, and you install it correctly, it should not flap in the wind. A custom made cover should fit perfect from the get go.

I used to prefer regular "canvas" (cotton twill), but in highway use it will need to be re-treated every couple of years to restore the waterproofing. My "traveling" fishing boat's canvas cover was bought in 1988 and its still in use. My "classic" boat's cover is a Taylormade sharkskin that's only 5 years old, so the long term stability is still an unknown to me.

I would never even consider trailing beyond a mile from my house without the cover. Bird poop and road dirt make a mess of my upholstery, plus it always rains on the way to or from vacation. My boat is always bone dry. Without a cover it would always be wet. Also with the cover on I can leave all the gear where i want it, and even put other personal items to transport without the worry of it flying out or getting soaked.

I have quite a collection of PFDs and cooler lids that we pick up on an open stretch of the internet on the way to vacation.

I have seen the sharkskin covers, they come in at least three models (thicknesses?). Which is preferred for highway travel, do you know? Thanks.

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I'm sure they are sold here at Iboats. I bought one from Cabalas long ago. Sold the boat and the new owner is still using it. Works great. Kept the cover on traveling as 'stuff' was kept in it.

I'm checking out the iBoats cover section as we speak (type)!

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I travel about 40 miles to launch my boat in a back bay or tidal river. I don't use a cover for travel, but do when the boat is at home (I live in the pine barrens and sap and needles are everywhere). The present cover is old, ripped in places and is no longer waterproof. So, after every rain, I have to air out the interior. PIA to say the least. Also, thinking of pulling it along when I visit my daughter on the Outer Banks. If I had a cover I could store boat things onboard and not worry about road debris, etc. Thanks for the advice.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I am really against towing with a cover on. It will come loose sooner or later and rip its self or cause rub damage.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I've made several 1500 mile round trips with my boat, both covered and uncovered. The cover was a pain; had to worry about straps loosening and burning the gel coat, constant stops to retension the straps, an even then, we had some minor billowing of the cover.

I found it is much easier to either stow stuff in the boat's compartments, or to put items in large Rubbermaid tubs whose lids are strapped on with bungie cords. A cloth cover isn't going to discourage anybody who want to get into the boat when it's parked, so I just pack as though I assume that could happen (i.e., anything valuable gets locked in the tow vehicle or is cable-locked to the boat.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

The problem with a cover that you will buy that is universal is that it won't fit perfectly. Excess material will billow up in the wind and any place where it rubs on a sharp object will wear through in short order.

I make my own custom covers for my boats so I make them for trailering in mind if that's my plan.

More and more, I prefer to tow without them on though. Lately, I just use snap on covers and only when I need to protect something inside from the rain.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I have seen the sharkskin covers, they come in at least three models (thicknesses?). Which is preferred for highway travel, do you know? Thanks.

It was 5 years ago, so I don't remember all of the details re. thickness. As I recall I bought the middle grade, which had a 5 year warranty. All 3 grades were trailerable. Mine has an extremely durable feel and I don't see any water penetration even if it ponds. My installation included extra lashing hooks with 4 bows to keep it tight on the highway. However, when on vacation and the boat is tied to the dock I often only hook up half of the straps for overnight usage. Those are the times it may droop a bit, and I've never seen a drop come thru after the usual mid Summer thunderstorm.

Also, I don't use a snap anywhere. I buy bulk bungie cord and cut each section to size. Install SS lashing hooks where needed. Grandpa was a boatbuilder and Dad was a canvas maker in the Navy. Got a lot of edumacation regarding boat covers - snaps were not the part of choice back in the 1940's.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I am really against towing with a cover on. It will come loose sooner or later and rip its self or cause rub damage.

See my post above....26 years on the same canvas cover and still no rips or stretching.

Caveats....Its only used for trailering to and from and it doesn't sit out in the sun between trips.

 

[57crestliner]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I have quite a collection of PFDs and cooler lids that we pick up on an open stretch of the internet on the way to vacation.

Yeah, I lose stuff on the side of the Internet now and then..

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I've been using a Classic Accessories cover I bought from Amazon from August of 2010 until September of 2013 when I managed to tear mine through my own negligence. I replaced it with another just like the first. It ran me $120.00 delivered. I keep my boat out in the driveway 24/7 and the cover keeps water out perfectly. No mold problems as the cover is vented in the rear. I have run down the highway many a time with the cover and never had a problem. Since I live at the coast, storms can be pretty violent but the cover seems to just keep on ticking.

Suggestions: 1) Most important... pad the top of your windshield frame with a folded blanket or tarp before you pull the cover on. Not making sure the pad was properly in place is the reason I had to replace my first cover... I think it would have been good for another 3 years if I hadn't torn it. 2) After 3 years, wash the cover with some 303 cleaner followed by spraying it down with 303 High Tech Fabric Guard with Water Repellent. That's the stuff Sunbrella recommends for their much more expensive covers to renew the waterproofing. It works great on Classic Accessories covers as well.... the water runs screaming from the cover the moment it hits it. 3) Tie down the straps so they don't flap in the breeze. Having loose straps beating against the cover can't be good for it at highway speeds. 4) Construct some sort of internal frame to create peaks so the water runs off instead of pooling. I did mine with pvc pipe which was both cheap and light.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I made my own snap on bow and cockpit cover using weathermax80 (a solution-dyed 8oz polyester fabric). Sunbrella is a great choice for a cover as it's about as UV stabilized as one can get. It's made from acrylic fibers. Polyester is more scuff/abrasion resistant; however, not quite as UV resistant.

I had basic canvas cockpit covers on my Baja and towed with them one as much as off, usually on the trip out they were on and off on the way home to facilitate drying? They came with the boat and I can only imagine they we well over 20 years old? Properly fit and properly treated, covers should last at least 10 years?

As far as complete covers on my Baja I had a polyester cover that faded, but was fairly durable for 4 seasons (stayed on all winter and most of summer between trips). Went with the boat when I sold it...I will say the polyester webbing straps all but fell apart in 1 year.

On the CC I have a Classic 600 Polyester cover and rather than run the "trailer" straps over the top, I just run them around the trailer frame...keeps em mostly out of direct sunlight?! So far so good x 6 months.

I plan on making a complete boat cover before the end of the winter using the same WM80 material and no snaps, only seamed webbing and built-in ratchet strapping around the rub rail...I'll make it very snug and trailerable...

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I have sliding snaps along the top of my windshield. And permanently mounted snaps down each side and along the transom. How difficult would it be to fabricate a cover in this style? Tools, expertise?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I have sliding snaps along the top of my windshield. And permanently mounted snaps down each side and along the transom. How difficult would it be to fabricate a cover in this style? Tools, expertise?

Not difficult if you know what you are doing. Need to make a pattern and sew it. Making it fit right with no wrinkles takes some skill and you need a good sewing machine.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

I have sliding snaps along the top of my windshield. And permanently mounted snaps down each side and along the transom. How difficult would it be to fabricate a cover in this style? Tools, expertise?

I used 3 mil plastic sheeting for making templates. then transferred to the desired material with the addition of 1/2" or 1" seam allowances (if sewing pieces together 1/2", if leaving for a folded and polyester webbing 1").

Tools...to piggy back what bruceb said, a good sewing machine (doesn't need to an industrial nor walking foot, but those help, just a decent one with all metal gears), snap kit (look at bruceb's pontoon cover: LINK, post #3), snap installation tool (they make various type, I used the cheap plastic base with a metal mandrel, tap a few times with a hammer...female side), if you already have the snaps on the boat, you can eliminate the pop-rivets so you won't need a pop-rivet gun/tool? soapstone for marking, hole punch or soldering gun with 1/4" tip (or so?) for poking holes/sealing material in fabric/webbing , hot knife is using Sunbrella or any acrylic based fabric (I should clarify my previous post, with polyester based fabric, a hot knife is not needed; however, it should be used as it'll keep the fraying to a minimum!).

Patience and an extra set of hands will make placing the cover over the boat easier. Also, youtube :"cavco", he's got some really good videos (some an hour or better) and making covers, enclosures, etc...

Good luck and as with all DIY projects, we need pictures!!

~Brett

 

[Jacalore]

Re: Boat Cover: Waterproof and Highway Travel?

Thanks for all the advice and recomendations. Okay, fabricating a custom cover may be beyond my capabilities (and patience). Leaning towards Sharskin 600 denier. $230 on this site. Interestingly, my 1985 Chris-Craft boat is listed. Wonder how accurate the match will be?