Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

[Matt 020906]

Hey Guys,

I just bought my first boat today!
16' G3 168 FC pontoon

I am looking for a cover now. I want one with straps BUT I keep it docked in the water and I can only seem to find ones that strap down to the trailer...

do they make them that can strap down to the bottom of the gate or edge of the floor?

Also preferably one with a lock because I have some kids that like to sneak in peoples pontoons at night around here.

Any help would be greatly appreciatec!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

Your best bet would be to have one custom made. The initial outlay is fairly substantial, but once it's done you'll have it for ten years minimum versus a couple years from a semi-custom if you're lucky. What the upholsterers do is put snaps on the cover and line up snaps on the boat to match, which makes it a lot easier to put on and remove. Custom made is cheaper in the not too long run and much better for your boat. Some of the smartest money you'll ever spend on it.

 

[Matt 020906]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

I hear mix reviews about custom snap job, what do you think it would cost around for a 16' pontoon like mine?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

Sorry Matt, but there are too many variables for me to ball park a cost. However, you should be able to call around to upholsterers in your neck of the woods and get a good approximation. One of the first things you'll be asked of course is what fabric you want. Consensus seems to be that Top Gun and Sunbrella are the two best choices. I have a snap on Sunbrella cover and am very happy with it.

 

[Matt 020906]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

I was just speaking with a rep from iboats.

He said for my size pontoon they make covers with a shot cord, and ones with a draw string that are easy to use when your boat is on the water. They also make them in playpen style to jsut cover the fenced in railing.

What do you think about those?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

They do a reasonably good job of protecting your boat, but they don't last that long and they're a bit of a pain to manipulate. You'll go through 4 or 5 in the time it takes you to wear out a custom made cover. That said, they're not bad for what they are.

 

[Boe4]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

I have the same sized boat and have just recently inquired about a custom snap cover from a local tent and awning company. He thought it would cost me about $800 to custom-fit the cover and install all the snaps. Still mulling my options spending $250 for off the shelf or $800 custom.

 

[Matt 020906]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

i purchased the Carver cover, it comes in Tuesday. Looking at my pontoon I think it would be a pain in the butt to get to the back corners of the deck and wrap the cover under there, but we will see.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

I have the same sized boat and have just recently inquired about a custom snap cover from a local tent and awning company. He thought it would cost me about $800 to custom-fit the cover and install all the snaps. Still mulling my options spending $250 for off the shelf or $800 custom.

I just bought a Suntracker PB20. The optional cover was $669. I didn't buy it, opted instead to go with the purty blue tarp from Walmart for less than $50.00.

Looks pretty ugly, but it works.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

I just bought a Suntracker PB20. The optional cover was $669. I didn't buy it, opted instead to go with the purty blue tarp from Walmart for less than $50.00.

Looks pretty ugly, but it works.

For now. Be sure and keep it off the upholstery.

 

[Mr_Shamrock]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

We had access to a slip for the first season we had our pontoon. A buddy of ours had one paid for and his Cigarrette only took up 1/2 the slip. It was tight but we slid it in there a few times (very carefully). Our snap on cover was a real pain in the butt to install with the boat in the water. I dreaded it each and every time. If you were able to walk all the way around your pontoon with it docked then it wouldn't be as bad, but with his boat next to ours (covered up) we couldn't/wouldn't crawl on his boat to access that side so it took a little acrobatics to get it done. SO glad we have our overhang now! We only use the cover now in the off season.

 

[NateL]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

I'm with MrCrabbs on this one LOL but I went with Silver!!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

I'm with MrCrabbs on this one LOL but I went with Silver!!

You guys are killing me! I have a silver one AND a blue one. How 'bout that? They're great for covering stuff other than the boat.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

For now. Be sure and keep it off the upholstery.

I'm using some really old tent poles to keep it up. The worst thing I have is bugs getting underneath it and dying.

I'll eventually buy a fitted cover. I wanted to keep the cost of accessories for the boat down early on. Like a lot of big boy toys, there is bunch of money to spend AFTER you pay for the boat.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

I'm using some really old tent poles to keep it up. The worst thing I have is bugs getting underneath it and dying.

I'll eventually buy a fitted cover. I wanted to keep the cost of accessories for the boat down early on. Like a lot of big boy toys, there is bunch of money to spend AFTER you pay for the boat.

You know what they say. Break Out Another Thousand.

 

[NateL]

Re: Got my first boat now...NEED HELP FINDING PONTOON COVER!!!!

That's no joke only owned a boat for 2 weeks now and only used it for 10 ten minutes before it went down the tubes and am having to stick money into it. Love the water though so what do ya do lol