New covers for an old boat

[Carl1783]

Greetings.

I am in need of some covers for my 1986 CC 196 BR.

I need a travel cover and some snap covers.

I've been looking at some cheaper universal fit trailer covers, but there are so many out there

Can anyone make some recommendations or what to stay away from?

Thanks!

 

[briangcc]

Here's my experience with the "universal" covers - they fit, sorta, maybe, kinda. Strap them down and you may still end up with a parachute effect trailering. Best advice is to track down a custom fit cover (you'll spend $$$ doing it) OR find a custom canvas shop to do the work for you.

For the snap on covers - I assume you're referring to a bow and cockpit cover - those are boat specific and you'll need to have replacements custom made (or pick up the material, sewing machine, thread and sew one yourself).

I purchased a Carver custom fit for my current boat through iBoats and it fits MUCH better than the generics as it used a pattern specifically for my year and model of boat. Reinforcements are in the right place. I chose Sunbrella fabric and couldn't be happier.

 

[Chris1956]

Some marine supply places (Overtons for one...) sell custom fit covers for popular boat models. Not sure if your CC is popular enough, but it is worth a look.

 

[Chris1956]

Sorry, my marine supply name was censored. A google search may turn up a cover for you...

 

[garbageguy]

Greetings.

I am in need of some covers for my 1986 CC 196 BR.

I need a travel cover and some snap covers.

Can anyone make some recommendations or what to stay away from?

Thanks!

We've almost always stayed away from trailering with cover on, that beats on 'em - but maybe there's some reason you need to do that?

 

[TyeeMan]

As previously stated, the universal fit covers sort of fit. The problem is they generally make the cover to fit "todays" boats beam and transom widths. Very likely your boat is a few inches narrower than they are today. That was one problem I found out some years ago on a different boat.

The boat I have now came with a Sunbrella type fabric bow cover and cockpit cover, it snaps into place. That said, not that good for towing.
So I went to a place that made me a travel cover out of the same fabric I had my two previous covers made from. The fabric is from Marlen Textiles and is called Top Gun, or the latest version I have on my boat is called Top Notch.
The folks that made the cover used all the original snaps that were used for the previous top, they had to add about 6 extra snaps on each side of the bow.
All 3 of the covers I've had are bomb proof. I can tow at 70 mph into a stiff wind and the cover hardly moves. The thing is, the cover has to fit like a glove and be practically drum head tight, which also means the fabric can't stretch. That would be the case with the Top Gun/Top Notch fabrics.

I tow our boat approx 280 miles round trip 1 - 2 times per month, from May to October, so having a bonafide water resistant travel cover paramount. Here are some reasons why.

1. The boat tows a lot easier. Without a cover it tows like a parachute. With the cover it's like a bullet going through the air.
2. I don't have to worry about a rock chipping or breaking my boat windshield.
3. I don't have to stow EVERYTHING so it doesn't fly out of the boat. Cover up and go.
4. The interior of the boat doesn't get wet and full of road grim when towing in the rain.
5. It keeps an honest person honest, , , at least in my mind. I've known folks that were going up fishing, they stopped for lunch and when they came back to get on the road they were missing rods, and a few other things.

So yeah, I'm all about a custom travel cover. BTW - I had this cover made early in the season so I got early bird pricing, $950.00. Normally it would be another couple hundred bucks.

 

[Carl1783]

We've almost always stayed away from trailering with cover on, that beats on 'em - but maybe there's some reason you need to do that?

Well, I was thinking with he lakes we go to it would be worth it for freeway and highway towing for protection from weather, rocks, debris?. There is one lake a mile away which is is decent but I plan to make it to a few others ranging from 1-2 hours way, either on state highway or interstate.

 

[Carl1783]

As previously stated, the universal fit covers sort of fit. The problem is they generally make the cover to fit "todays" boats beam and transom widths. Very likely your boat is a few inches narrower than they are today. That was one problem I found out some years ago on a different boat.

The boat I have now came with a Sunbrella type fabric bow cover and cockpit cover, it snaps into place. That said, not that good for towing.
So I went to a place that made me a travel cover out of the same fabric I had my two previous covers made from. The fabric is from Marlen Textiles and is called Top Gun, or the latest version I have on my boat is called Top Notch.
The folks that made the cover used all the original snaps that were used for the previous top, they had to add about 6 extra snaps on each side of the bow.
All 3 of the covers I've had are bomb proof. I can tow at 70 mph into a stiff wind and the cover hardly moves. The thing is, the cover has to fit like a glove and be practically drum head tight, which also means the fabric can't stretch. That would be the case with the Top Gun/Top Notch fabrics.

I tow our boat approx 280 miles round trip 1 - 2 times per month, from May to October, so having a bonafide water resistant travel cover paramount. Here are some reasons why.

1. The boat tows a lot easier. Without a cover it tows like a parachute. With the cover it's like a bullet going through the air.
2. I don't have to worry about a rock chipping or breaking my boat windshield.
3. I don't have to stow EVERYTHING so it doesn't fly out of the boat. Cover up and go.
4. The interior of the boat doesn't get wet and full of road grim when towing in the rain.
5. It keeps an honest person honest, , , at least in my mind. I've known folks that were going up fishing, they stopped for lunch and when they came back to get on the road they were missing rods, and a few other things.

So yeah, I'm all about a custom travel cover. BTW - I had this cover made early in the season so I got early bird pricing, $950.00. Normally it would be another couple hundred bucks.

That looks like an awesome cover, I like it. I like your points on advantages to towing with a cover like that.

I used the cover finder tool here on iboats and selected custom cover. It came back with two results for my model, one of which is linked below:

https://www.iboats.com/shop/carver-s...over-3005.html

Worth it or not worth it as others have mentioned? Also, my boat has a bow rail and that Carver cover doesn't say anything about a bow rail?

I should probably divulge a little more info on the cover history. At one point this boat had covers, both travel and bow and cockpit.

The travel one is long gone. The bow and cockpit snap covers are unusable but maybe could be used as templates?

I have the entire boat document history and it looks like in around '93-'94 the original owner had new snap covers made and whoever did it moved the button snaps to different places on the hull, leaving some nasty holes in the hull where the old ones were. I will get some pics to show this.

 

[TyeeMan]

Thanks! Yeah I really like it, , like you can't tell. :lol:
sounds like you have a really nice boat, I like the fact that you have all the documentation, that's a real treasure. Is kind of like the boat I the picture. That's a 4 beer story right there.

Anyway, one comment on the cover you have in the link. Having had two covers like that in the past, covers that come below the rub rail and that have a draw string around the perimeter, you will eventually realize rub marks or scuffing in that area no matter how well you have the cover tied to the trailer.
Also, if you use nylon rope/ cording to secure the cover to the trailer, as soon as the nylon gets wet it will stretch. The cover may stretch as well and then you have a sloppy floppy mess.
That has been my experience anyway.

Good luck.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I never trailer with a cover. Too many billowing covers, too much gelcoat burns from straps... stopping often to make sure everything is secure... No thank you.

 

[kpg7121]

I had one of those (It did not come from iboats) universal boat covers. It sagged, billowed in the wind, etc. The only thing it was good for, wait I can't think of anything. The bottom line is you get what you pay for.

 

[SkiGuy1980]

I'd always towed with a custom road cover on my boats - they fit snug with no flapping, keeps the interior clean running down the highway, don't lose gear flying out of the cabin, nobody accidently flicking a cigarette into the boat from a passing car and causing a nightmare. I also never had a problem with the custom covers wearing on the fiberglass or interior.... or coming loose while trailering.
However, when I bought my newest boat they advised against trailering with a cover. They referenced wear on the interior and being responsible for damage should the tarp come loose and cause an accident. So... I towed it home naked from Cincy and almost caught a cigarrette butt from a truck I was passing (he caught sight of the boat at the last second and pulled it back and waved).
I bought a nice universal fit to cover it during indoor storage for the winter. That thing fit like an oversized pillow case - I can't imagine trying to run down the road with that on. I used the bow and cockpit covers after that until I could have a full road cover made at a shop in Indy.
My local canvas shop made my 21 foot custom fit cover in Sunbrella material for $900. This one had some special openings to get around the wake tower so a straight cabin might be closer to $750-800. The custom mooring or cabin covers you are looking for shouldn't be too pricey.
Good luck!

 

[Teamster]

Check the Dowco website,....

They make the factory fit covers for many boats,...

Might have an exact fit for less than you think,....