Boat Cover While Towing

[JEBar]

we spend 3 - 4 months each summer in eastern South Dakota .... while out there not all but almost all of the people use canvas covers on their boats while towing .... back home in North Carolina not nobody but almost nobody does so .... for folks who do, why

Jim

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

I have a towing cover and then a storage cover. I tow with the canvas cover just to keep most of the rain out, and keep items from flying out of the boat. I use a PVC tarp when storing it, as it's 100% water proof, snow proof, last for about 5 years and is cheaper then a boat cover.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

I do not cover the boat while towing . . .

So, maybe it is a 'coastal' thing versus in 'inland' thing.

Nothing good can happen to the cover at 65-70 mph wind speeds.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

I do not cover the boat while towing . . .

So, maybe it is a 'coastal' thing versus in 'inland' thing.

Nothing good can happen to the cover at 65-70 mph wind speeds.

Nope, it wears them out VERY fast. I do not use the tie down strap loops. I tie it down over the cover and to the trailer. But the canvas cover is worthless anyway. But it rains a lot here, and it helps keep the seats and carpet a little dry when towing.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

I tow with a PROPERLY fitting, taut canvas cover. Over a distance there is a noticable difference in gas mileage due to a more aerodynamic flow, keeps rain OUT and inflated tubes, lifejackets and other things IN. Just back and forth to the local ramp or gas station...no.

I keep it stored in the garage over the winter with the canvas cover on also...keeps the dust out from using my table saw occasionally.

If using the big blue tarps...make sure to ventilate somewhat or suffer from mildew.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

+1 to Oshkosh1. Ours was custom made with snaps all the way around. Always leave it on. In garage or on the road. Only comes off when launching or doing work on her.

 

[KD4UPL]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

I made the mistake of trailering without the cover once. I lost a life jacket and it took a long time to clean all the bug guts off the upholstery.
My canvas cover fits properly with lots of snaps to attach it. I regularly travel the interstate at 65 mph. Many of our trips to the lake are over 100 miles each way. My boat cover is 15 years old and holding up rather well.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

I tow covered if it is a considerable distance. Just down the road I leave it off. Correct fit is the key here though in my opinion.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

I tow with a PROPERLY
If using the big blue tarps...make sure to ventilate somewhat or suffer from mildew.

Blue tarps, and boats, or anything you really like is a "don't do". I only use PVC tarps pulled tight when storing. I use two containers Dri-Z-Air on the inside though and change them once a month. When it's hot out (rare in Oregon, rains 9 months a year here) I pull the tarp off in the day till the evening. It's a pain to do all the time, but worth it. I wouldn't cover anything with out Dr-Z-Air inside.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

rains 9 months a year here

Lol!
When I was stationed in western Washington I KNOW I've seen rain in EVERY month of the year! Funny...all that rain, and the only time I heard thunder was during a snowstorm!

 

[RedMan1973]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

this is a very good thread, a lot of good info, BUMP to keep it at the top

 

[Sabbath]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

I use this cover for storage, and while towing. It attaches onto the bow stop and bungee straps onto the trailer. Also has reinforced sections over the carbs and fuel cap. Towed it 900+km @ 110km/h with no issues. Guess that's the advantage of a custom cover

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

When we go on vacation I cover the lil Lund as it keeps thing inside the boat. Fishing poles that are too long for the truck, tackle boxes, nets, Life Preservers, cushions, Sleeping bags or blankets and on occasion a tent. Light stuff that takes up a lot of room. When home the cover is never on.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

We took two 1600 mile trips this summer, the first with the boat uncovered and the second with a cover. The cover doesn't fit poorly - it's not a custom cover, but has straps that encircle the boat. Travelling with the cover on was definitely more of a pain... we occasionally had to stop to tighten a strap, and once a strap broke and we had to improvise. It was nice to have storage without having to strap down everything inside the boat, but I don't know if I'd mess with it again. Towing with the boat open was problem-free.

From the comments above re: towing with a cover that snaps in place, I thought the snap-on covers were primarily for mooring. Is it common to tow a boat with those kinds of covers? I didn't think that was a good idea...

 

[sccatfish]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

As far as I'm concerned, a boat and it's contents should be able to handle rainwater, and anything that might blow out should either be in a storage compartment or secured down. The only reason I would think about towing with a cover would be to keep eyes off of what's in the boat and reduce temptation for a theft if I was travelling a long distance that required multiple stops at rest areas/restaurants (at a hotel I'm going for a ground level room and taking anything not bolted down in the room with me).

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: Boat Cover While Towing

it's not a custom cover, but has straps that encircle the boat.

Using a simple overhand knot after cinching the straps down will in most instances secure them. Of course you should travel for a bit then pull over and recheck...things may loosen a bit due to shifting/heat expansion etc. Most covers will state whether or not they're designed for the rigors of towing or storage/static cover only.

I tow with a canvas, snap cover and never have a problem. I wouldn't trust the generic multi strap setups to stay in place at much more than city driving speeds.