Couple of obervations and questions

[Jeepster04]

Weve had our new boat(Four Winns Horizon 180) for a couple of months now and Ive come to notice some things. First off, we bought a ShoreMaster Prism cover from right here on Iboats. So far weve been very pleased with the cover. Fits great, keeps the boat dry(although were having trouble with water pooling, my fault thus far). The first week we left it on the boat, after taking it off there was some, what Im assuming was pink mold, on the rear sun deck vinyl. After spending a day in the sun it goes away and the vinyl is perfectly white again. Ive tried laying a beach towel over the area but it does it anyway. Thought maybe the cover was sweating or something. What would cause this and how could I stop it from happening?

The other thing Ive noticed, when backing up, if the front of the boat starts to drift one way too quick theres absolutely nothing I can do to stop it. It makes for trying to back into the slip impossible so Im forced to pull it in. If I rev the engine up in reverse I can usually slow it from drifting around but then were going backwards really fast and usually sideways. Does anyone else notice this with their boat?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Couple of obervations and questions

With twin engines you can catch a drifting bow by clicking the engine on that side briefly to neutral or forward gear. Practice this stuff though, all boats act differently and are affected by wind and current. Some will crab walk sideways during certain maneuvers. If you don't yet have the skills you could have some mates help guide you in with ropes and boat hooks. And if you are really financially sound you could get fancy with a bow thruster or one of those cool electronic whiz bang software managed helm controls. They look to be the bomb diggidedy! I'm sure the cost is in the many thousands though, and not all engines are compatible.

If your cover isn't custom fitted to the boat you ought to get a set of snaps and do it yourself. Or, if you are too klutzy maybe a canvas shop can fit it for you. The cover should fit tightly so water can't pool in it. Any where there is a pool on a tightly fit cover you should address. My cover was made for my exact boat and has spots for two "tent" rods so the water runs off.
If yours needs that and does not have it you can either have a sock sewn in where the rod would go, or you can get a grommet kit and do it the old way by putting a grommet through the cover and getting a stick with a rod and a washer at it's top so the stick will keep it in place in the top. Or you can put a female snap in the cover and a male snap at the top of the stick. There are adjustable length tent support rods available at the bigger boating stores. They are just two tubes with a thumbscrew to hold them at a length you decide.

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Couple of obervations and questions

Should of noted, Im talking about a Four Winns Horizon 180. The boat in the sig is a different boat, my bad. With dual engines I can push a boat wherever I want.

Not concerned with the water pooling up, Im concerned about the pink mold forming on the seats.

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Couple of obervations and questions

The trick I found in backing up is going very,very slowly. I'll often engage it in reverse for a second and then drift. Repeat as necessary. If I get going even to idle speed in reverse and the bow drifts one way it's real hard to address. When bumping it in reverse, you can turn the drive in the necessary direction to counter act the bow if it starts to take off. This all similar to pulling up to the dock, just harder I guess.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Couple of obervations and questions

The bow is reacting to wind or current, or both. The solution is to ease the boat against the dock or piling and use it as a fulcrum to swing you back and into the slip.

 

[Philster]

Re: Couple of obervations and questions

You need to vent your cover and/or adds poles.