Does anyone use a camper enclosure as a cover?

[lrlima]

23 foot Cuddy thats currently gets stored on a trailer. I hate my current cover, its a little to big for the boat, is a pain to deal with by myself, and just plain looks bad...

Was exploring a semi custom cover here on iboats vs having a snap in custom one made (very expensive). I currently have a full camper sunbrella enclosure that zips into the bimini, down onto the top of the windshield, then over the sunpad. Basically the area that a custom one would cover.

But does a camper enclosure keep out the water? Maybe this could be my summertime solution and use the current one for winter storage. I understand the cons would be that it would wear out faster or fade. Any advice is appreciated. Also be curious to know what some have spent on custom covers for the area i need.. (pics below)

Some pics so you can see...

 

[seaboo]

Re: Does anyone use a camper enclosure as a cover?

My brother use to store his Sea Ray like that (summertime on the dock by his house). A couple downsides, yes it will fade quicker, bird droppings are harder to clean off than a normal cover, where the windows are you will still have some interior fading, and the plastic windows (for lack of a better word) oxidize quicker.

 

[PaulsMarineSalvage]

Re: Does anyone use a camper enclosure as a cover?

Treat the canvas with some scotch guard to water proof it and that should be ok. You will get a little moisture through the zippers though. And I wouldn't leave it up in storms with high wind.

You could always just get a better fitting storage cover....

 

[izoomie]

Re: Does anyone use a camper enclosure as a cover?

I'm getting a custom canvas cover with new snaps fitted to my boat right now for $450. It's a 17' open boat so the coverage would be about the same as your ****-pit area.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Does anyone use a camper enclosure as a cover?

Your best bet would be to have a canvas shop make you a mooring/cockpit cover. Should be pretty cheap, all it is is canvas & snaps.

It fits tight over the boat so you can trailer and uses the same snaps as your camper canvas. Here's a picture of my boat ready to head to the lake. I treat it with spray on canvas water proofing along with my bimini and enclosure.

For winter storage, pull your current full cover over the top and tie it down.