Need a Boat Cover

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

Well after some time of trying a few boat covers that were non custom made and taking them back I'm back to the drawing board. I ended up finding a shop that makes covers down the road so I gave them a call. They said they make all of their covers out of Aqualon. I did some reading and it sounds to be good material. My biggest concern is how this cover, or any cover with good fabric holds up to hail. Living in Oklahoma we see hail a few times a year, and granted it is normally something that isn't that big of a deal, we do occassionally get golf ball size hail and I'd hate for it to be ripped to shreds. Can anyone testify how this would hold up? I know it's not going to hold up to large hail, but honestly not much is going to hold up to that big hail, even a solid roof.

So, if you are worried about hail, I was wondering if you still keep the boat under the carport? Seems like a carport would protect it nicely, and the cover and a rubber snake would keep out the cats.....mostly.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

If you can't find an exact fit cover for your boat in the iboats store, check out Tumacs Index

They have patterns for thousands of boats so you will basically be buying an exact fit...not a semi-custom. And you will save hundreds over a custom fit (and get it faster).

I went with their recommendation and had mine made in a material called Aqualon. Unlike Sunbrella and other canvas type materials, Aqualon is waterPROOF. And it's much less bulky. They added vents, supplied poles. It fits perfect and is well made. I have had dock neighbors ask me about it.

I tried using a storage cover and my own homemade support structure for the first year. Went on easy enough but it looked terrible and was still a pain when big winds came. And it frankly allowed water in everywhere because the material is water resistant. Pfft.

I know one of the better boat covers around here uses aqualon. Pretty cool stuff he showed that's it's pretty hard to tear and when it does, it doesn't continue to rip. He said people tow with their covers all the time which seems like it might help it be more aerodynamic. Thanks for the link.

So, if you are worried about hail, I was wondering if you still keep the boat under the carport? Seems like a carport would protect it nicely, and the cover and a rubber snake would keep out the cats.....mostly.

Right now it's in storage at my parents, but that's not a long term solution. Like I stated above I'm not aloud to have a carport at my current house, and right now building a $20k shop is out of the question, although I'd love it.

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

OK.....I wonder then if Aqualon is stronger that Sunbrella. They seem close in price.

So maybe we go with Jethro Tull's take on the issue:

Aqualon my friend....don't you start away uneasy.......:facepalm:


Sorry....I couldn't resist!

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

The aqualon is tough. I had a sample of it and it was super tough to rip, as in it would take a full grown man all his strength to do it and that was with it precut. Between this and the flexibility, I think it could withstand some hail. My concern is that from time to time we get severe hail and it's always a concern. I wish someone had this type of cover and would let me throw some baseballs at it. Then I'd really know what it does.

 

[BatDaddy1887]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

Here is the opinion of one large marine fabric dealer of Aqualon and most other marine grade fabrics....they don't like it any longer...

About Marine Canvas - Nelis Customs

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

Here is the opinion of one large marine fabric dealer of Aqualon and most other marine grade fabrics....they don't like it any longer...

About Marine Canvas - Nelis Customs

It seems like good stuff, but I see where they are coming from. Always good to see a second opinion. I guess this leaves me at an odd spot, because the people around me swear by aqualon, and refuse to use anything else, saying it's lesser quality.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

I wanted to update this thread to people who may have questions in the future. I ended up getting a cover made and found a good shop that will use Top-Gun. I checked out this material and it is pretty great stuff. A little on the heaver side at 11oz, but I need it to be tough. This and Sunbrella seem to be the 2 best fabrics, and the reason I chose the Top-Gun is because it is completely waterproof.

The boat is currently still in the shop getting the cover made, but when I get it back in a week I'll be sure to post up some pictures. I'm real excited to get it back, and have it at my house to tinker with in my spare time.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

In the summer we use a Plastic cover like the kind they cover hay on the farm. 20x40 cost about $100.00 at Lowe's .In the fall I cover it with a cover that I had Iboats custom make. It was Around $550.00 About half of what StarCraft wanted from the dealer. So far it's held up very well . This will be the fourth year of Using it and it still looks good.

 

[newcomlr]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

Again, I'm still in favor of Aqualon. Granted, I've only had mine for one full season, so I can't speak to the long term durability, but I like the fact that it's waterPROOF (not just water resistant) and very light weight. I see some of the other toons around me with the heavier canvas type fabrics and their cover takes up have their boat when they take it off. And they have wet spots where water drips thru the water resistant fabric.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

Again, I'm still in favor of Aqualon. Granted, I've only had mine for one full season, so I can't speak to the long term durability, but I like the fact that it's waterPROOF (not just water resistant) and very light weight. I see some of the other toons around me with the heavier canvas type fabrics and their cover takes up have their boat when they take it off. And they have wet spots where water drips thru the water resistant fabric.

Top-Gun is very similar to Aqualon, just a bit heavier. I too wanted to go with something that was waterproof, but at the same time I wanted heavier for the extreme weather we get out here.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

Finally got it done, but it wasn't with out it's hiccups. After getting it back, which took a week longer than I was originally told I had an incident on the drive home. I had asked the gentleman several times including as I was pulling out if the cover was okay to pull down the road. I was reassured I would have no issues. Needless to say I did, the wind going down the road pulled the back up, and ripped the rear straps off. Thankfully I didn't lose it going down the road. So after calming down, (I was pretty pissed that the $900 cover I had only owned for 20 minutes already had damage), I called him back to let him know he was wrong, it wouldn't make it down the road. So I took it back, told him to make it right, and re-enforce the straps. He had also failed to put straps on the back, which I think was the reason in the problem the first time. I made him correct this, and now the cover is what I wanted, but could not recommend this guy again as I should have never had this issue. I think he realized he was behind, and rushed it. It's a shame he can't manage his time better, cause it essentially ruined his business for me.

Anyways here is the finally product. Cover seems heavy duty, and is stout now that everything is re-enforced. Had it been done this way the first time, I don't think I would have had any issues.

 

[The Woo Woo Kid]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

At least it goes all the way down, covering the deck completely. Sorry about the issues with that business. Personally, I hate it when people lie or say something is true when they have no idea. That happens too much nowadays.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

At least it goes all the way down, covering the deck completely. Sorry about the issues with that business. Personally, I hate it when people lie or say something is true when they have no idea. That happens too much nowadays.

Very true. I think after it got fixed it would go down the road fine. What it comes down to is he rushed his work, and lost a repeat customer for it.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

Is it a breathable fabric.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

Is it a breathable fabric.

No it is not. Instead it is vented.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

Then you may have mold problems.

 

[workerbee606]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

I made a tent frame out of PVC and use a tarp from wal mart, covers the entire deck and fence as well and keeps the sun and rain out. I do have a bit of mildew but a good cleaning and all looks great again.

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: Need a Boat Cover

Then you may have mold problems.

Maybe you missed the part where I said its vented. I had a sunbrella one on my last boast and needless to say any kind of cover can have mildew if it lets water in. Mine being waterproof should help it from even getting in there.