Boat Cover

[kevinwburke]

Just bought a 2004 Glastron 175 MX bowrider. I need to buy a cover. Should I spend the extra money for a premium cover? Boat will be stored outdoors in the FLorida sun. Costs range from $150 on the low to $400 plus on the high side. DO you get what you pay for? (am I just asking a question I know the answer to?)

Any fabric I should be leaning towards?

Thanks.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Boat Cover

Been there done that. Personally, after ruining several covers I wouldn't put a boat in the Fl sun. Build a garage! That's what I did.

Optionally, if you plan on keeping the boat only a few years (as most do) just buy the cheepie 150 and cover THAT with a $5 tarp.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Boat Cover

$400 is cheap for a cover.

Sunbrella.

 

[superbenk]

Re: Boat Cover

$400 is cheap for a cover.

Sunbrella.

Agreed. The Sunbrella cover I got for my new boat blows away the $150 cover I had in my last boat. Last cheap cover ripped in one year. They replaced it under warranty but I don't think a new one would hold up any better. Sunbrella cover is night & day different - so much higher quality.

 

[doyall]

Re: Boat Cover

You do get what you pay for. Buy a cheapie and replace every year or buy a good one and get maybe three or four years out of it if you take care of it. Cost will probably average out about the same per year. Buy a cheapie and cover with a tarp only if you want the interior to mildew.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Boat Cover

I have had it both ways. I would buy a higher quality cover. The cheep ones will not vent well and you will have mildew. If you can afford it have a custom snap on cover made.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Boat Cover

Costs range from $150 on the low to $400 plus

i've tried both. 3 ea. $400 covers, on the high side. and now i'm on my first $150 cover.
the expensive covers lasted me 5 years or so. one of them got poked by a stick and it ruined it. i had it fixed at the awning store, but they said it'd leak, and it did.
i'm on the second year with a maynards cheapo cover. the fabric is thinner but does seem to keep the water out. and so far has no rips or tears in it. it is a breathable cover which imho is important to have.
neither cover has caused me mildew and both seem to breath.
if i get three years out of my cheapo cover, that'll be the way to go, cost wise. it looks like it'll last 2 seasons for sure. three, i don't know and assume that that will be asking a lot of the cheapo cover. time will tell.

so far, i'm happy enough i went with the cheapo cover right now.

fwiw, covers in nebraska get pretty hard treatment too. 100* sunny days for dead of summer to 0* and lower with snow and ice load on them. i do try to unload them when there's ice and snow. usually i can relieve most of the load. ice, sometimes not so much.

 

[1216bandit]

Re: Boat Cover

There are spray on UV barriers that can really extend the life of fabrics. The 303 line of products has gotten pretty good reviews.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Boat Cover

The Sunbrella cover I made for my boat is 10 years old and still in excellent shape.

You never want to put a tarp over a cover. Sure way of getting mold and mildew in your boat. Don't need one if you get a good cover.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Boat Cover

My sunbrella road cover was purchased new with my Rinker in 95, it still has no issues. Only item starting to show wear is the rope which goes all the way around inside the bottom edge. The wear in the rope is from many years of cinching in tight.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Boat Cover

You never want to put a tarp over a cover. Sure way of getting mold and mildew in your boat. Don't need one if you get a good cover.

While I think that's probably a good general rule, in cold weather climates a slick poly tarp over the top helps the snow slide off. I would not leave it on there in the rainy spring but putting it on when the below freezing temps hit is a big help. I've done it and not had mildew issues.

I will say I have pretty much sworn off outdoor winter storage. Paying for indoor is worth it.

To the original question - I would pay the money for a quality cover, that's a pretty popular model of boat you may be able to find one online that is made for that exact boat. Hand made custom covers get expensive quick.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Boat Cover

While I think that's probably a good general rule, in cold weather climates a slick poly tarp over the top helps the snow slide off.

True....I would never use a fabric cover in the snow. The OP is in Florida. I don't think he will have a problem with that!

 

[kevinwburke]

Re: Boat Cover

i've tried both. 3 ea. $400 covers, on the high side. and now i'm on my first $150 cover.
the expensive covers lasted me 5 years or so. one of them got poked by a stick and it ruined it. i had it fixed at the awning store, but they said it'd leak, and it did.
i'm on the second year with a maynards cheapo cover. the fabric is thinner but does seem to keep the water out. and so far has no rips or tears in it. it is a breathable cover which imho is important to have.
neither cover has caused me mildew and both seem to breath.
if i get three years out of my cheapo cover, that'll be the way to go, cost wise. it looks like it'll last 2 seasons for sure. three, i don't know and assume that that will be asking a lot of the cheapo cover. time will tell.

so far, i'm happy enough i went with the cheapo cover right now.

fwiw, covers in nebraska get pretty hard treatment too. 100* sunny days for dead of summer to 0* and lower with snow and ice load on them. i do try to unload them when there's ice and snow. usually i can relieve most of the load. ice, sometimes not so much.

What is a Maynards Cover?"

 

[agallant80]

Re: Boat Cover

Maynards is like a home depot feed store walmart grocery store all in one out in the mid west.

 

[OllieC]

Re: Boat Cover

I use a cheap ebay $170 cover. I've had it for 2 years. I also installed a cover vent. It's worked great.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Boat Cover

I bought a Classic Accessories Stormpro cover for my boat back in 2010 and it did great right up until the day I got lazy and didn't cover the frame of my windshield before pulling the cover on; I managed to tear it. Last year I treated the cover with 303 waterproofing and until I tore the thing, had no issues with water leaking in. The cover is vented aft so condensation isn't an issue either.

I live on a North Carolina barrier island and my boat sits in the driveway when I'm not using it. I don't know that the weather is any worse in Florida than here when it comes to baking things. The cover is trailerable too. I keep the boat covered at all times except to and from the ramp. Any place else and it gets covered and stays that way.

I bought another cover just like the first after the tear: $125 new in the box. My main suggestions for maximum life is to pad your sharp edges on the windshield frame, etc and treat it every three years or so with 303 High Tech Fabric Guard with Water Repellant. This is the same stuff the manufacturers of Sunbrella recommend for their covers.

 

[britisher]

Re: Boat Cover

I too need a boat cover and I too live in Florida. my boat was out side unprotected all this year. Don't have a chunk of change to spend. Found some Vortex boat covers for $70-$80 incl free shipping with 12 months guarantee. What can you lose with that spend??
Even if they only last 12 months, you are still at less than $400 after 4 years.

 

[V153]

Re: Boat Cover

I charge $40 to $50 bucks a running foot for my covers. Custom fit, Sunbrella material, stitched with Tenara aka 'Gore Tex' thread. Guaranteed for the life of the material. I've never seen it fail. Sunbrella has a 10yr warranty now btw.

I've restitched 15 yr old Sunbrella in the past. The thread was shot but the material was still good. The only time I use anything else is if'n the customer specifies it. In my case at least, you DO get what you pay for.

Having said that I realize it's a matter of economics for some folks. But if it's at all possible, save up some money for a good cover. You'll never regret it.

 

[kevinwburke]

Re: Boat Cover

I bought a Classic Accessories Stormpro cover for my boat back in 2010 and it did great right up until the day I got lazy and didn't cover the frame of my windshield before pulling the cover on; I managed to tear it. Last year I treated the cover with 303 waterproofing and until I tore the thing, had no issues with water leaking in. The cover is vented aft so condensation isn't an issue either.

I live on a North Carolina barrier island and my boat sits in the driveway when I'm not using it. I don't know that the weather is any worse in Florida than here when it comes to baking things. The cover is trailerable too. I keep the boat covered at all times except to and from the ramp. Any place else and it gets covered and stays that way.

I bought another cover just like the first after the tear: $125 new in the box. My main suggestions for maximum life is to pad your sharp edges on the windshield frame, etc and treat it every three years or so with 303 High Tech Fabric Guard with Water Repellant. This is the same stuff the manufacturers of Sunbrella recommend for their covers.

I bought this cover on Amazon. Ordered Friday afternoon and should have it Monday (love Amazon Prime). Will let you nkow the quality. Thanks for input.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Boat Cover

For $126 how far wrong can you go? I pay $500 every year for a custom shrink wrap for a 23' boat and that's just for the winter months.