Boat Cover

[egldvrbags]

1995 Bayliner 2050LS bowrider I/O

Looking for some info on purchasing a cover for my boat. I live in Northern Illinois and want something that will work year round. It doesn't necessarily have to be trailerable.

What type of material is best, ie durability, water repelancy, breathability? Custom fit or semi-custom?

I've searched the web and see all types/prices.

Thanks in advance!

Dave

 

[njlarry]

Re: Boat Cover

Good luck. I've looked at every supplier and they all sell covers that only cover down to the rub rail. If you want to protect your topsides down to the chines it's either an expensive custom cover or my favorite choice-the cheap tarp from the hardware store. Usually lasts three years but even if it only lasts one season it's less costly than shrink wrap. Plus you can remove it on a warm March weekend to work on her and then reinstall it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Boat Cover

Check the yellow pages in your area for "canvas" or "tarp" shops. Many of them have templates to create whatever type and style of cover you want. The end result is a custom fit will outlast a one size fits-all cover because -- well -- it fits.

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Boat Cover

Good luck. I've looked at every supplier and they all sell covers that only cover down to the rub rail. If you want to protect your topsides down to the chines it's either an expensive custom cover or my favorite choice-the cheap tarp from the hardware store. Usually lasts three years but even if it only lasts one season it's less costly than shrink wrap. Plus you can remove it on a warm March weekend to work on her and then reinstall it.

Yeah, that's what I was leaning towards doing. I can buy a huge, waterproof tarp with reinforced gromets for about $25 (cheaper ones out there, but this one will certainly do the trick). Even if I buy a new one every year, it's cheaper than doing a custom cover, especially since it's a 95 model (in great shape, BTW). Great point about the warm March day, because that has happened!!!

 

[Jack Daniels]

Re: Boat Cover

Spend the money and get the custom, trailerable cover. You wont be dissappointed. It will last you a very long time, you can use it to cover the boat during long trips and it will keep everything dry inside. Going cheap on something that keeps the weather out is a bad idea in my opinion. The only time my boat is uncovered is when its on the lake with me in it. Keeping the weather out is going to add years on the life of your boat. Just my .02 cents on the subject.

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Boat Cover

Spend the money and get the custom, trailerable cover. You wont be dissappointed. It will last you a very long time, you can use it to cover the boat during long trips and it will keep everything dry inside. Going cheap on something that keeps the weather out is a bad idea in my opinion. The only time my boat is uncovered is when its on the lake with me in it. Keeping the weather out is going to add years on the life of your boat. Just my .02 cents on the subject.

Great advice. Where would you recommend buying a custom one?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Boat Cover

"Custom" means it's made especially for your boat. Check the yellow pages for "canvas" and "tarp" shops. They also tend to do custom upholstery for cars and boats should that need arise.

 

[sc_shane]

Re: Boat Cover

Not sure if you have a Sam's membership, or even one nearby, but...

A buddy of mine bought this one from Sam's Club about 2 years ago for his Monterey 21' bow rider. It's still holding up good - easy to take on and off. For winter storage, he generally throws an el cheap-o $10 tarp over the top too, just to make it that more protected. He also made some interior supports out of 1" PVC pipe, to hold it up the way it should be. Works like a charm and is trailerable for $100.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=150619

I'm considering buying the one for Pontoon boats. If you have a Sam's Club near you, you can have it shipped to store for free, and then if you don't like it, you can tell them to keep it! Potentially even return it if you don't like it after you check it out at home.

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Boat Cover

"Custom" means it's made especially for your boat. Check the yellow pages for "canvas" and "tarp" shops. They also tend to do custom upholstery for cars and boats should that need arise.

Thanks. If you look here on iboats or other places like Overtons, they have custom covers, made to fit your exact boat. Has anyone ever bought one of these??

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Boat Cover

No, but I am seriously considering it. The stories that I hear from friends about cockpit covers (I have a cuddy, so that's all I've ever had) costing $1000 sure makes a $300 semi custom or $600 model specific from this site and Overton's attractive. My problem is again that I have a cuddy, and my boat isn't listed as having the tru custom fit. The bowrider version of my boat is listed, but I'd hate to get ot and then it attach totally differently.
From my research, you don't want anything with Cotton in it. Overton's catalogue has a pretty good description of what make a better cover a little better. And not having cotton in it is the 1st key. Trailer Boats Magazine did a "pick the perfect cover" article in the December 2007 issue. It has decent genral knowledge. Maybe that's where I read the no cotton bit? Anyway, I too recommend pricing a Sunbrella type custom cover from a local shop. But then look at the ones on here or Overton's in their "semi custom" line.
If you boat has never had a cover, they will have to drill for snaps. That could get very expensive, but it's the best way to attach a cover, in my opinion. Good luck, let us know what you decide and report back, please.

 

[egldvrbags]

Re: Boat Cover

No, but I am seriously considering it. The stories that I hear from friends about cockpit covers (I have a cuddy, so that's all I've ever had) costing $1000 sure makes a $300 semi custom or $600 model specific from this site and Overton's attractive. My problem is again that I have a cuddy, and my boat isn't listed as having the tru custom fit. The bowrider version of my boat is listed, but I'd hate to get ot and then it attach totally differently.
From my research, you don't want anything with Cotton in it. Overton's catalogue has a pretty good description of what make a better cover a little better. And not having cotton in it is the 1st key. Trailer Boats Magazine did a "pick the perfect cover" article in the December 2007 issue. It has decent genral knowledge. Maybe that's where I read the no cotton bit? Anyway, I too recommend pricing a Sunbrella type custom cover from a local shop. But then look at the ones on here or Overton's in their "semi custom" line.
If you boat has never had a cover, they will have to drill for snaps. That could get very expensive, but it's the best way to attach a cover, in my opinion. Good luck, let us know what you decide and report back, please.

Thanks. I'm going to talk to a local shop about a quote to make a cover.

I talked w/ a rep at Overtons & he recommend against their custom covers as once you order it, it's yours. He said they get a lot of complaints w/ these as the owner's idea of "custom fit" may be different than the manufacturer's. A local shop would probably be more inclined to make sure it fits the way you want.

He recommended their semi-custom covers which are returnable if you don't like it. I may check out one of these as I don't need a trailerable cover.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Boat Cover

Yes, a truly custom cover is one that has been fitted to your boat. I'll bet my cockpit cover wouldn't fit the next 1997 Chaparral 2135 that came off the line behind it!
I am in the same exact boat as you. A semi-custom would do fine for me, as my boat stays in the water at the marina all summer. Then it's stored indoors with it's factory shipping cover on it in the winter. Ah, decisions decisions decisions. It's just money!

 

[salty87]

Re: Boat Cover

i bought a custom type cover from scottie's several years ago. it was custom in that they made it for your order from the factory pattern or dimensions they have on file...no returns. it fit pretty good, came with straps and a pole. the cover was good quality, lasted 5 years with very little care...outdoors, not trailerable. the straps worked fine but the pole never kept water off very well.

i agree with the comments about keeping the sun of the sides of the hull too. i also would have preferred that the swim platform gets covered. truly custom covers have better designs for keeping water off whether its installing hardware on the hull or better supports.

covers is an area where you really get what you pay for.

 

[Pimp Daddy]

Re: Boat Cover

This may be a really stupid question but would a camper top that goes from the windshield to the stern on a 24 foot cuddy be good for trailering and winter indoor storage? All summer it sits at the dock but I want something to keep the weather off it, and off me. If I should decide to venture out when the weather is less than agreeable. The last owner of my boat said he has the full camper top for it but the material is finished. I want to get a full campertop custom made from a local upholstery shop in the spring. Also where do you put the top when you go out on a nice day? It seems too big to stow below deck.

 

[gdombroski]

Re: Boat Cover

Try this site out. They bought all the original patterns from bayliner. Not bad pricing either. Only drawback is you have to install the snaps.

http://www.letastopshop.com/index.php?path=order

 

[Pimp Daddy]

Re: Boat Cover

Mine already has the snaps. I contacted them and they said Bayliner 2455's never came with a camper top. Oh well guess it's back to the custom shop. Thanx anyway

Mike

 

[lrdchaos]

Re: Boat Cover

I bought a trailerable cover for my boat, it works well it was in the 500 dollar range. The boat was parked under a carport last year and it helped keep the rain, sun and dust out. THis year, they put up a boat storage place less than a mile from my house, so my cover will be mostly to keep the dust out...don't know how much dust will be there. Don't know what size boat you have or what it cost to store it, but 40 bucks a month for me is cheap enough to keep the sun, rain and whatever else off of every part of it. You might just look into storing it.

 

[Jack Daniels]

Re: Boat Cover

I brought my boat to an shope in town that does the custom covers. They measured the boat and fit it according to my boat. Its breathable fabric (dont remember the type), water proof, and has a pole in the middle to keep the rain off. Its not attached with snaps but straps to keep it in place. Its trailerable and fits the boat like a glove. It actually cost me about 700 bucks but came with a lifetime warranty on the labor. I use this cover all the time even though i keep my baby in the garage. The cover keeps her clean, dry, and doesnt let her mildo. This was the best decision i made in terms of maintaining the boat. Look in the yellow pages and find a custom shop in your area and bring your boat to them. Its going to cost you a little more but will be worth it, plus they stand by their work. Good luck.

 

[rbc]

Re: Boat Cover

I spent $400 for a custom cover from Iboats for my 20 foot Key West CC. Doesn't fit worth a damn and would not do it again.