boat covers-- what do you use

[brine]

Hello everyone! For those of you that use a trailerable boat cover, what brand or what material would you reccomend? I am torn between cheap and expensive

 

[jsfinn]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

It's up to you, really, but a plan old heavy duty tarp works pretty well for me.<br /><br />It takes the same amount of time to put the tarp on as it does a boat cover, protects the same, and costs a LOT less.<br /><br />I purchased a good quality cover for my boat about 2 years ago. I wish I could remember where I got it or the brand (bought online), but after only two summers, the cover rotted and fell apart. It was red in color and if you touched it, your hands would be covered in red powder... It just got replaced with a brown/silver tarp.<br /><br />The cover looked nicer, but I don't think I'd buy another one.

 

[Boatist]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

I like Sunbrella boat covers but they are not cheap. A custom made one for my 21 foot boat is $400. Has a full 5 year warranty and last about 10 years. Make sure they use a thread that that will take both sun and rain, about $5 extra and has life of the cover warranty. Sunbrella does well in the sun or rain. Durning heavy rain time of the year I still throw a cheap blue tarp over it. The cheap blue tarps are only good for 1 year and no good for trailering. Any canvas cover I have seen is 2 years max and if you trailer with it one likely only good for 1 year..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

i have 4 boats all have pvc frames to hold help the blue $15 walmart (fema)tarps. replace once every 2 years. keeps them dry and the trash out

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

A real trailer boat cover has tie down straps about every 3 to 4 feet that go all the way under the boat and trailer so the cover can not flap bad enough to destroy itself at 75 mph. No straps like that? it is dock or storage cover. DO NOT buy them for road use. Spend the money on anything else.

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

Hi tashasdaddy....<br /><br />hehe...you may be deep into boating...but from that nick we all can tell what's **REALLY** important in your life! Bravo!<br /><br />Hey; any tips for constructing a pvc frame? I've been putting off making something like that for my 16 footer...Without it I imagine that most any cover would allow water to puddle...<br /><br />A couple of pics maybe???<br /><br />Thanks, Chuck

 

[jsfinn]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

SeaKaye12,<br /><br />I use a folding sawhorse in back of my 16 footer to make a "tent" so water doesn't puddle. When it's time to go, it folds up quick, and is easy to store.<br /><br />It looks sort of like this one - http://www.donkihote.com/images15000000/7478658.jpg

 

[artherm]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

I purchased a custom canvas for my 14ft. fishing john several years ago, however I seldom use it, only for trips to keep boat and contents covered. For my yard storage, I purchase the plastic covers 10x20'brown and green from Menards when they are on sale $6.99. They last about 6 months. The last time I even received a rebate. I made a PVC frame also out of 1-1/4"pipe from the bow to the stern in two pieces, a single run about five feet from the bottom of the boat. I used elbows for the uprights, and used T's at the bottom about three feet wide. Works great to keep puddles out winter or summer. I spent maybe $10.00 for everything at Home Depot.

 

[brine]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

THanks for the replies. I want a cover that will keep out all the rain because where i park it the bow slopes down and water doesn't drain. PITA.

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

i use a custom made vinal bow and cockpit snap on covers. My dealer that i purchased the boat from has a person who makes the covers for them instad of having glastron do them. supposedly it is supposed to be a higher grade material they use and the person does it specifically for one boat and one boat only. it does come with a 10 year warrenty as well. the downside to this is the cost (750 dollars) and you need to give the person the boat for a few weeks so she can customly install the snaps on the boat and fit the cover properly. so far its been great and still looks great too even though its less that 3 months old. <br />

 

[Baldguy]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

I bought a custom sharkskin cover for my Baja two seasons ago. I think I bought it off of Iboats. Good trailerable cover. Drawstring to tighten around the rubrail and then tiedowns to the trailer about every four feet or so. It trailers really well.<br /><br />Sharkskin doesn't breathe. So I spent a little more money on vent poles. The vents are placed in the highest point on the cover and the poles "tent" the cover so that rain doesn't puddle. <br /><br />This $250 cover keeps all the rain out and the vents keep the air circulating so I don't get mildew on my white interior.<br /><br />It's worked well for me.

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

Hey jsfinn...<br /><br />That just gave me an idea...<br /><br />The thrift stores always have old ironing boards (foldable)... Some of them are metal...the real old ones are wooden.<br /><br />Thunking about it...the pointy end would fit between the seats...and the wider end would be back by the motor...<br /><br />They usually sell for only a buck or two. I might try that.<br /><br />I can hear the neighbors talkin'..."what's he up to now?"....

 

[garycinn]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

I'll second the Sharkskin recommendation if you want to keep rain out. Just vent it. I have tried two other types and the Sharkskin is great -- 100% precipitation coverage.

 

[lakelover]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

boat cover thread

 

[JasonJ]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

I bought the $90something one at Wal-Mart last spring. It is heavy, trailerable, has the straps and all that. I installed snaps on it so I can just snap it in place while moored at my dock. I don't trailer with it on, so I can't attest to its ability to be trailered well, but it is rated for it. I keep my boat in my garage for the winter so I don't worry about snowload. Overall I like it. The previous cover a $50something Wal-mart job, ripped on occasion because it was much lighter, and definately not trailerable (I never tried).

 

[midmichduck]

Re: boat covers-- what do you use

Originally posted by 05GlastronSX:<br /> i use a custom made vinal bow and cockpit snap on covers. My dealer that i purchased the boat from has a person who makes the covers for them instad of having glastron do them. supposedly it is supposed to be a higher grade material they use and the person does it specifically for one boat and one boat only. it does come with a 10 year warrenty as well. the downside to this is the cost (750 dollars) and you need to give the person the boat for a few weeks so she can customly install the snaps on the boat and fit the cover properly. so far its been great and still looks great too even though its less that 3 months old. <br />