Looking for a boat cover?

[DarthVader]

Hello everyone,

I own a 1989 18 ft Sea Nymph Fish & Ski SS-175,I am going to be looking at getting a new boat cover for my boat as the one that came with my boat is getting worn out and is starting to pull away at some of the seams that I found out today while wiping off some of snow we got last nigh nearly 4 inches.. I not looking to get a real expensive one as money is very tight for me plus I am on a monthly budget,I mainly need something that will help protect my boat from the the rain,snow especially during the Winter months here in New York State as I do not have a place to store my boat inside..

I thought about getting myself a nice huge tarp something in the size of 12 x 20 something I know I could cover the entire boat and outboard but getting a tarp strapped down correctly can be a real chore especially when I am trying to put it on by myself..So I am hoping my good fellow boaters here can give me some ideas on a inexpensive boat cover that would work for me..

One of things I was thinking I could always go with is having my boat heat shrinking my boat but it will cost around $10.00 per foot that is what the marina charges so it would cost me around $180.00 to have my boat completely shrink wrap,The worse part is if I go this route I would spend this amount every year as it is not something that can be saved.The other bad part about shrink wrapping is it only helps me during the winter months and I would like to be able to cover it no matter what time of the season when the boat is not in use..

So I just like to get something that can be used year round and not be to expensive if there any boat covers out there..

If there is any boat covers out there please post some links to them..

 

[hosteter]

Thanks a lot!

 

[Scott Danforth]

iboats has boat covers.

 

[David Young]

iboats has boat covers.

I'm going to order me one from this Forum, when the time comes

 

[ziggy]

i've tried the $350-$400 generic covers and they work well. i've got about 4 years out of them.
now i've been getting my covers at the local menard's store. they're a hundred dollars. i've been getting 2 years out of these.
both have shed the water and kept the snow off my boat as it sits outside all year too. i do brush the snow off them though in the winter.

imho, for my money. i'm gonna continue on with the box store (menard's) covers. fwiw, i also like that i just gotta drive a mile to the box store to get a cover. if it don't fit i can return it easy.

can't remember where the more expensive covers were made at. but for sure, my c note covers are chinese. i hate to support that, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.

 

[Newbie@boats]

My boat cover isn't in the best shape up in the bow area its slightly split and I already know the covers are not water proof, so I left that existing cover on the boat and bought a tarp for $30 and covered the entire boat it does well keeping the water out

 

[bruceb58]

Good way to ruin a boat is using a tarp instead of a well fitted cover.

 

[SkaterRace]

Good way to ruin a boat is using a tarp instead of a well fitted cover.

How exactly will a tarp ruin a boat?

 

[bruceb58]

How exactly will a tarp ruin a boat?

Will let water in
They don't last long
Rub on the fiberglass
Prevent moisture from escaping
...

 

[SkaterRace]

Will let water in
They don't last long
Rub on the fiberglass
Prevent moisture from escaping
...

I have used them before and never let water in not even make the seats damp. Sure they don't last long but 1 year for $40 is not bad. As for rubbing on the fiberglass, I am not so sure about that one. If you have it strapped in place well enough then it shouldn't cause damage. It is not great at preventing moisture from escaping but again if you let the boat dry in the sun before you cover it then have no issues of water getting in you should be fine. I will agree a proper cover is better but by no means is the only good option.

 

[Newbie@boats]

I probably have 20 bungee cords on my tarp and it hasn't moved at all...the tarp will be off the boat once its 60* + out

 

[bruceb58]

I have see more boats ruined from tarps than anything else. Get a proper fitting cover that breathes and you are WAY better off.

 

[ziggy]

imho, it's the fact the a cover can breath is what's very important. along with mostly fitting nice and tight w/the cover high so that any water runs downhill and off the cover.

 

[DarthVader]

Thank You all for your input on what I should get,I will be definitely be getting a fitted boat cover for my boat,it just will not be one of those $400.00 ones..

 

[R055]

There is a decent one on amazon for 120$, though you should check out the iboats covers. I would've bought it at iboats but I'm in a tight money situation and have an amazon card so used it.

 

[DarthVader]

I looked at the ones on iboats but my budget is not big enough to purchase one from iboats if it was I would buy one..

 

[rcboats1]

I just bought a new cover at Costco. It was $80 in store and it's "water proof", has vents and can be trailered. Very well built for the price.

 

[Woodonglass]

Hmmm, if your boat would have come with a really nice Custom fit cover and the price would have been $500 more...would you have paid the price???

 

[WIMUSKY]

When it comes right down to it, any cover can be trailered if it's strapped down good. An $80 "trailerable" cover "would" work. But, how well? Not very. You get what you pay for. It may cost some $ up front for a quality cover. But it will pay for itself when your spending x amount every year, or every other year........ And will be a lot less of a headache. Just like tools. In the long run, it pays to buy quality tools. jmo

 

[bruceb58]

My custom fit Sunbrella cover that I made is almost 14 years old. Even if I paid $1000 for it, it is well worth it compared to plopping down $80 for a one size fits all cover that doesn't really fit and wears out every year.