boat covers

[FREDDYPD]

I have a 94 sea ray walkaround cuddy 21' w/ outboard. I need a cover and would rather not shrinkwrap. I will temporarily throw a tarp over it before I winterize to keep the leaves off. I was considering a custom made cover from my local boaters world. Do any of you have experience with online boat cover dealers? Are those trailerable covers for about $250 OK for outdoor winter storage? If you have had luck could you direct me to that dealer?
Thanks

 

[kbetts]

Re: boat covers

I bought a Hurricane Sharkskin for my 21' bowrider and like it . With the strap kit, you can trailer it. I believe it was around $300 with the strap kit. You can check them out at Overtons or West marine. The sharkskin is very durable and cost less than the Sunbrella. I would buy another one of these covers if I had to. I also bought a cheap tarp to throw over the cover to keep the birds mess off of the cover while in storage.

 

[JB]

Re: boat covers

Look here, Freddy.

http://www.iboats.com/mall/coverfinder/?session_id=625525591&cart_id=960477767

 

[jevery]

Re: boat covers

I recently bought one from iboats. I appears that the cotton and cotton/poly blends are the cheapest with 1-3 year warranty. Then 100% polyester with 3-5 year warranty. Then 100% acrylic (Sunbrella and competitors) seem to have the best warranties. I bought the Outdura acrylic cover for $230 with a 5 year warranty and am very happy with it. The Prism coated polyester also looked good but cost a lot more.

 

[JAL51974]

Re: boat covers

I bought the sharkskin one from IBoats too this year with the straps. A good quality for the money for the summertime use, but I think for winter storage I will go back to Shrinkwrap. I am not sure how that sharkskin one would hold up to an Ohio winter if it was a bad one!

 

[AguaSki]

Re: boat covers

Being in AZ, I can't speak for what is best in the winter.

I did find a great new cover at an Ebay store that came with a 7 year warranty. I paid about $150 for the cover and shipping. It was manufatured with the same materials (600-denier water resistant UV fabric) and by the same company that makes the Cabela's Ratchet-Tite cover. The cover in the Cabela's catalog is $230. I have learned to always check Ebay before buying anything.

 

[dingbat]

Re: boat covers

For my 21' W/A I tried a cheap cover and gave up on that. Thought about buying a good cover until I was hit with sticker shock. I ended up buying one of those heavy(14 oz) brown/ silver taps and a ½ dozen heavy bunch of bungee cords and went at it. A tuck here a fold there and I got it to fit like a glove.

I use the tarp for year round storage and get a good 3-4 years of service out of it before relegating the tarp to the wood pile. I got a new 22’ W/A this year with a hard top so I’m off to find a new brown/silver “solution”

 

[FREDDYPD]

Re: boat covers

Thank you all for your help. Now for some online shopping. I put a 12x25 tarp on for now to keep the leaves out. Not quite big enough for winter storage. Still not sure if I should go the tarp route or semi-custom cover.

JB that link you sent did not work. Thanks though.

 

[stevieray]

Re: boat covers

Freddy - I 'd have the tendency to keep the nice custom cover for summer use/trailering & tarp 'er up in the winter. Down here in MD we get snow, but also ice storms. I have to get out there & sweep snow off & bang ice off with the broom handle & I'd rather do that to a relatively cheap tarp. Get a good one (at least 8 oz fabric) for best life. Forget the blue stuff - even if it doesn't tear to shreds the fabric weave opens up & leaks before spring. PolyMax brand from FarmTek.com is a good one.

 

[FREDDYPD]

Re: boat covers

stevieray....Thanks.
Money is an issue this year. Maybe I will go the route of the tarp. I dont really need a trailerable cover. We only drive about 3 miles to the water. My property is pretty treed so I do need something to keep the leaves and stains off the deck during the season.
Do you guys use homemade poles or store bought cover accessories to help snow and rain fall off?
Could I make some kind of arched frame from flexible PVC or grey electrical conduit?

 

[dingbat]

Re: boat covers

Tte down and dirty method is to run a rope from your rear right cleat to the bow cleat and then back to the rear left cleat and use that as a support for your tarp. I've seen people construct an a-frame structure in the back of the boat but since we only get measurable snow maybe 2-3 times at best year walking out and brushing the snow off as requied works for me.

I used a 16' x 24' trap on my W/A and if works very well