Need boat cover advice

[Michigan Jason]

Hi all, as we are approaching the new boating season, I need to get a new boat cover, my old one just lets the water in and is tore in a few places. I am hoping you wonderful people will help me make my decision on brand, material, and where to buy. My main concern is water repellancy and fit. Not looking to spend too much, so I have all but ruled out sunbrella. Do you guys have an opinon on this? Please help, I would like to order one this week. Thank you all so much!

Jason

Boat is a 1995 Regal Valanti 202SE bow rider stern drive, not cuddy cabin. Thanks.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Need boat cover advice

Well sir -- not letting water in, good fit, and "cheap/inexpensive" do not go together. The best fit and quality are obtained with a cover made by a canvas shop that concentrates on custom fit covers. Durability is often dictated by how the owner cares for and uses the cover. A properly designed and "tented" cover will not allow water entry into the boat. If so much as one cup of water is allowed to puddle on a cover that puddle will likely continue to grow until the cover seams can no longer withstand the stress and they pop open, or the cover simply stretches thus ruining the fit. Fit is even more important if you trailer this boat with the cover on. A loose fitting cover will flap itself to shreds in just a couple of trips.

 

[Texas Parrothead]

Re: Need boat cover advice

If you are not planning to trailer the boat covered.....i got one on e-bay for $100 delivered and it is of good heavy canvas. I onlyl use it to store my boat in a covered storage unit.

I will look for the link and post it.

 

[Texas Parrothead]

Re: Need boat cover advice

This is similar to the cover I bought.Works great for what I use it for.

It fits very well length wise but just barely covers the rub rail at mid ships. But is still works just fine for my application.

Can't beat the price!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Heav...at_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item230e2691ef

 

[mphy98]

Re: Need boat cover advice

In my humble opinion you can buy 1 good one for about 300.00. or a new cheap one every year or two for 90.00. Do the math, it does not take long to add up to a good one. A heavy duty canvas is the best way to go. Unless..... you keep it indoors like me!

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Need boat cover advice

I bought a semi-custom fit from I-Boats, that was on sale, a year and a half ago and it fits nicely and has thus far held up great. Also, I agree with the poster who suggested you spend a bit more up front instead of replacing a cheaper one each season. Just my .02. Good luck.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Need boat cover advice

I was looking at the ones on here for around $350-$400, none were canvas though that I can remember. They were all some other material. Here is the link for what this sites options give me.

http://boatcovers.iboats.com/Regal/...e_id=2&**********=609801697&*******=567115768

Thanks for the help so far, but I am still confused!

I trailer this boat each time it goes in and out of the water, typically i take the cover off at home for the day, then back on once we get home. Then it sits outside in the elements until next time.
There are times though that I take it up north and at that time the cover would be on it.

 

[Sparke]

Re: Need boat cover advice

Those are the ones I am looking at, they are 100% Polyester and semi custom. You can click on the material link and get a good idea of what they are all about. I priced out a custom for 750.00 then one of these for about 300.00. I like the 300.00 dollar option. I do have a set of canvas that button down to the boat but they leak horribly, good to keep seagull poop off when at the dock.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Need boat cover advice

I did all the usual checking around and ended up buying a cover right here on iboats. It was the least expensive place for the same cover. I bought a Westland OEM fit made w/Sunbrella material. This stuff is heavier duty than the OEM canvas cover that came with the boat and that cover lasted 10+ years. So far, the new cover has not faded much at all in 3 years and it sits outside in the driveway 24/7. The seams are sewn in a manner that promotes runoff. All seams and corners are reinforced and padded. There are more tiedowns than the original cover came with. The Sunbrella material was well worth the extra $. It fits like a glove and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Need boat cover advice

How does it secure to the boat for trailering? straps or is it a stretchy material?

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Need boat cover advice

I just purchased a safeguards cover. I called the manufacturer and got the specs. Then I called sunbrella and got their specs. The safeguard cover was the same denier and the same material. (600 Denier both directions, and its 100% polyester with Acrylic backing) It was $75 shipped to my door from the e-bay store which was cheaper than their website. The material seems great. Its heavy, tough, water tight, and has a good fit. My only complaint is where the clips are sewn in it just seems light. I dont trailer with the cover on so it should be fine for me. I?m treating it once a year with 303 aerospace fabric guard to protect it and keep water repellency. It also has a 5 year warranty. You cant really beat it. I looked up sunbrella material to make my own mooring cover and it was going to cost me about $400 in raw material for their premium material. Ouch! Give the safeguard a try. Its cheap and just as heavy and durable as sunbrella in my opinion.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Need boat cover advice

I just purchased a safeguards cover. I called the manufacturer and got the specs. Then I called sunbrella and got their specs. The safeguard cover was the same denier and the same material. (600 Denier both directions, and its 100% polyester with Acrylic backing) It was $75 shipped to my door from the e-bay store which was cheaper than their website. The material seems great. Its heavy, tough, water tight, and has a good fit. My only complaint is where the clips are sewn in it just seems light. I dont trailer with the cover on so it should be fine for me. I?m treating it once a year with 303 aerospace fabric guard to protect it and keep water repellency. It also has a 5 year warranty. You cant really beat it. I looked up sunbrella material to make my own mooring cover and it was going to cost me about $400 in raw material for their premium material. Ouch! Give the safeguard a try. Its cheap and just as heavy and durable as sunbrella in my opinion.

Thank you very much for the information i think i am going to get one.

 

[biglurr54]

Re: Need boat cover advice

I also just purchaed some 100% polyester material with a vinyl covering which is 100% waterproof. Its made for Boat house roofs. Its 1300x1300 denier. It would make a great cover but it will not breath at all. I leave the cover open around the transom for air exchange. its the same material the truckers use to wrap things on their flat beds to keep them out of the elements. Best part of the material is it was $6.49 a running yard. COmpair that to the 25.99 a running yard for the mid grade sunbrella (600x200 denier) you cant beat it! ill let you all know how it works out as a bow cover.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Need boat cover advice

I also just purchaed some 100% polyester material with a vinyl covering which is 100% waterproof. Its made for Boat house roofs. Its 1300x1300 denier. It would make a great cover but it will not breath at all. I leave the cover open around the transom for air exchange. its the same material the truckers use to wrap things on their flat beds to keep them out of the elements. Best part of the material is it was $6.49 a running yard. COmpair that to the 25.99 a running yard for the mid grade sunbrella (600x200 denier) you cant beat it! ill let you all know how it works out as a bow cover.

Great advice, let us know!

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Need boat cover advice

I just purchased a safeguards cover. I called the manufacturer and got the specs. Then I called sunbrella and got their specs. The safeguard cover was the same denier and the same material. (600 Denier both directions, and its 100% polyester with Acrylic backing) It was $75 shipped to my door from the e-bay store which was cheaper than their website. The material seems great. Its heavy, tough, water tight, and has a good fit. My only complaint is where the clips are sewn in it just seems light. I dont trailer with the cover on so it should be fine for me. I?m treating it once a year with 303 aerospace fabric guard to protect it and keep water repellency. It also has a 5 year warranty. You cant really beat it. I looked up sunbrella material to make my own mooring cover and it was going to cost me about $400 in raw material for their premium material. Ouch! Give the safeguard a try. Its cheap and just as heavy and durable as sunbrella in my opinion.

I just now purchased the safegaurd for $109 shipped! I will send an update with a pic when I get it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need boat cover advice

I have a safeguard cover and bimini. I'm quite pleased with both for the price.

 

[Michigan Jason]

Re: Need boat cover advice

I have a safeguard cover and bimini. I'm quite pleased with both for the price.

Good to hear, sounds like I made the right choice for the money, especially if I might sell and upgrade to a newer boat in a couple years.