Do you trailer with or without a cover?

[Realgun]

Do you trailer with or without a cover?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

I was the first to answer "covered". However, I do it covered or uncovered, whichever it happens to be at the time. It's uncovered on the way home, but usually covered going to the marina, cause I keep it covered when it's in the driveway, and I'd rather uncover it after I get there.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

My "cover" is a pile of randomly shaped tarps. Don't stay attached so well going down the highway.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

Ditto to Zmoz-it's hard to cover a RIB so it'll stay on. Would cover for gas mileage and protection if I could though.

 

[Pony]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

i use one so my fishing gear doesnt fly out on the highyway...plus i keep it covered in the driveway anyways. I figure its easier to load it up at home and trailor it covered so i dont have to transfer stuff from the truck at the launch.....looks cooler too

 

[JB]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

Boat topic.

 

[Holdimhook]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

Without. That being said, I don't have very far to go to launch my boats. If I were towing it a long distance (60-80 mi) I might reconsider.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

Prior to the boat I have now, I never towed with the cover for long distances. The wind always seemed to shorten the life of the cover. The gas mileage seemed to always be worse with the cover on.

 

[tommays]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

i used a cover when i had a van now that i have a pickup it beats any cover up to much<br /><br />i worry most about covering when the boats not in use the sun and rain have a lot of time to do dammage then<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

luckily i have a snap-on cover for my boat so it looks great and is very eary to install. i cover it all the time and it really helps wen i can put luggage in my boat and not have to worry about it possibly blowing out.

 

[BillP]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

No. It only takes one time for the top to flog a little too much and ruin the boat finish or rip the fabric.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

I always tow with the cover on as I don't have to worry about things flying out of the boat and should it rain, things stay dry. I make my own covers from heavy vinyl (yes I do know how to sew). My son-in-law has my last boat and the cover for it is now 9 years old and still has no rips or tears. My current boat cover is two years old, requires no straps and handles freeway speeds with no problems whatsoever. Cost?? I regularly buy 10 yards of heavy vinyl for $20.00. Snaps are another $25.00. Thread is a couple of bucks. Time is not an issue since I get a custom cover that will outlast three of the multi-hundred dollar pre-fabs. The key -- measure three times and cut once.

 

[phantoms]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

Originally posted by BillP:<br /> No. It only takes one time for the top to flog a little too much and ruin the boat finish or rip the fabric.

Agreed, I tried one time and it left marks all over me gelcoat. Good thing Gelcoat is thick and can be rubbed out.

 

[Realgun]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

THX JB wanted to do the pole in towing but its disabled. <br /><br />I keep mine coved in the yard but uncover for trips. I have taken the cover on and off so much the threads through the middle came out. I know its covered under warranttee but cannot remember what brand the darn thing is.<br /><br />I will take it to an upholstry shop to get it fixed soon.

 

[all thumbs]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

I keep it in the garage so its never covered. Short drive to the launch, everything stowed inside is set for 60 + mph. I hate when people back to the ramp and then start uncovering.Or retrieve their boat, pull out ,still blocking ramp and start to cover boat.

 

[danie]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

I tow covered. No worries about stuff getting lost. To protect the finish and windscreen the boat and motor are covered first with large soft blankets stitched together before the tarpaulin is pulled tightly over everything.

 

[DaveM]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

I used to tow covered until one of my tie downs came off. The cover got a bit shredded after that.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

Last year I lost a windshield on the while driving down the highway. It got smashed by a rock(I think)<br />I still drive without a cover. I just don't learn.

 

[QC]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

I have towed with a cover on my last two boats over ten years. The benefits are pretty obvious and we tow 4 - 5 hours each way, so I'm going to keep doing it. Here are my list of downsides though:<br /><br />1) Tow covers need maintenance, new straps every couple of years, seams need to be strengthened, and of course there is cleaning<br /><br />2) Good custom ones are pretty expensive $800+<br /><br />3) They transfer dirt to the interior anywhere they touch. Vibration, wind, whatever, but they leave smudges that are very hard to get out.<br /><br />4) I ask everybody in the family before I load, "Do you need anything out of this (suitcase, ice chest etc.) before we get there?" They answer no and it isn't three minutes atfer I get everything cinched down just right that somebody says "where'd you put my bag? I need my trunks." Makes me flippin' crazy!!! <br /><br />One major reason I keep going through that crud is I refuse to look like Ma and Pa Kettle on the way to the lake . . . With a cover it always looks like you run a tight ship.

 

[Ron Everson]

Re: Do you trailer with or without a cover?

With the 16 footer we always covered while traveling to keep the gear safe and secure. Used a travel rated cover with plenty of good rubber bungy cords and never had a problem. With the 21 footer I used to travel long trips (3 hours) with the cover on until a lock washer on the anchor light post swivel wore a hole in the cover. Decided the cover wasn't needed for travel, since there was plenty of room to stow gear, and it's quite a chore to put the cover on, so it's only covered at home. The 27 footer travels uncovered period - talk about a job to cover. Smaller boats are easy to cover and the effort is worth the benefits. Bigger boats aren't worth the effort to cover for travel in my book.