Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

[spoilsofwar]

I have to move this winter (very late December, or early January timeframe) and that means towing my boat from NY to SC in what could be less then ideal weather. I've been debating whether to buy a trailerable custom-fit cover or have the boat shrinkwrapped before I leave. The boat is currently kept garaged, and while there is some chance it would have to stay outside at any future residence, I am pretty sure I would not lease any house that didn't have a garage I could put the boat in.

The cover seems like the logical choice since its reusable, but shrinkwrap might do a better job keeping the boat clean and dry and not marking up the gelcoat due to rubbing against it at highway speeds. Cost is not really a concern. Which would you do?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

I personally can't stand towing with a cover, even a good one flaps some. What is your concern towing uncovered? Rain?

 

[joelybob]

Re: Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

I would use a trailerable cover. you can reuse it. like you said

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

I personally can't stand towing with a cover, even a good one flaps some. What is your concern towing uncovered? Rain?

Rain, and snow, and salt and road grime spray from the road if either of those are occuring.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

Rain, and snow, and salt and road grime spray from the road if either of those are occuring.

Then I guess a good custom fit trailerable cover. The generic and semi custom ones just don't fit tight enough to run on the highway without blowing up like a balloon or flapping in various spots. Make sure to stay with a light color like gray, even an expensive name brand fabric in blue will leave marks all over the vinyl if it is flapping rubbing it. (Learned that one the hard way)

 

[lamphega]

Re: Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

Shrink it and be done. Less trouble than a flapping cover and it will be protected in case it takes a bit longer to garage it. Things tend to go way wrong in moves and it gives you the best protection.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

The only thing that I would be concerned about with a custom cover is that unless it was perfectly taut in all areas it may start to shred at highway speeds over that amount of distance. It would be a tough call as to how good the cover will be. Shrink wrap may be the better choice, depending upon the confidence level that you have on the fit and durability of the cover.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

I take the cover off to trailer, but keep it with me to use if needed when I'm stopped. I don't think you can get one good enough to not flap around enough to rub the gel coat. The aerodynamics keeps most road gunk from entering the boat, kind of like the bed of a pick up truck stays pretty clean and dry as long as you keep moving.

The shrink wrap would be better if you think it has to be covered. Thats how the professional boat haulers do it.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

Yeah, I think you guys sold me. I'll have it shrinked.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

I have lived through this one before. Lessons learned,

Your boat will be a mess when you get from point A to point B
If you use a cover it will be a mess too
The cover will have some issue (it will rip, it will be filthy etc)

Go for the shrink wrap if you can afford it. You can just throw it away when you are done with it and it will keep at least the inside of the boat clean.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Long distance one-way tow; Cover or shrinkwrap?

I have made that 11 - 12hr trip many times. If no carpet, do neither and clean her when you get here. If she will fit in the garage great-- covered storage at about 60 a month and inside about 90.