pontoon cover

[pikefisherman]

Has any one used less expensive pontoon covers, I purchased a used 18 foot last fall and I would like to keep the rain and sun off without breaking the bank any ideas? I looked on e bay 75.00 to this site 375.00 I would like something we can put on while it is docked.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: pontoon cover

You get what you pay for. Most of those are trailer covers it needs to be a snap on for a dock cover, you can how ever add your own snaps and rework one.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: pontoon cover

Yes it was a strap cover, in fact I think you need to furnish your own straps, witch might not be all bad cause the boat is parked at a storage lot outside. I have installed snaps on a pop up camper, no big deal on that, do they charge that much labor to install snaps?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: pontoon cover

Not sure about the amount but yes you get charged. The travel covers are fine if it sits on the trailer. But a dock cover is used if its kept on a slip and those need to be snap on.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: pontoon cover

The problem with adding snaps is that these covers extend a lot farther than where you really want it to snap on. You then have to shorten it and then sew reinforcing material where the snaps are going to go.

I sew webbing and finish the edge with binding and then add my snaps.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: pontoon cover

Thanks all as this is a 1993 and I am on a fixed income right now, retired, I might go with the strap on and cover the seats when we camp as the pontoon will be used mostly later in the day after the deck dries out, we will be using it off, and on and it is pulled out in between the time we use it for now. But this helps.

 

[dls322]

Re: pontoon cover

I got a cover off ebay. It was from Vortex Direct. They were honest about their covers and i actually talked to them on the phone. For a $150 cover it's worth it's weight in gold over other pricier options..at least in my opinion. It's designed to be strapped on the boat for storage. We leave our toon at the dock all summer so the straps would not work. I actually added some more i-hole bolts to the bottom of my rails and then attached carabiners to the cover where the straps would attach. Then i build a simple PVC frame for the boat to raise the cover up and to let the water drain right off. Then i just go around and attach the carabiners to the i hooks and you have a fully covered boat. Even if the cover only lasts 5 years i can just get another for $150 and reuse everything. Plus the added i-bolts give me more places to attach bumpers and ropes when i'm under way. Just an idea for you. I rebuilt my boat and it did not come with a cover, and i wasn't ready to shell out $1,500 for a custom cover.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: pontoon cover

I am retired also and know what our talking about. I got my boat about 3 years ago and have slowly rebuilt it into what i wanted, but i did have a real good cover made just to protect my investment.

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: pontoon cover

I'm financially comfortable and I buy 'cheap' covers. First, it's a PONTOON boat! I don't really think you need to protect it from water and it won't fill up. SUN will kill your interior. I use a fairly cheap cover, don't snap it down. I use 8 two liter Coke bottles filled with water to hold down the cover when docked. You can but the replacement screw on hooks from any boat dealer. I use Bungee cords at the front and rear. Never lost a cover to wind or storms. Also, don't cover the boat when trailering. My 'dock mate' has a $950.00 custom fit cover. His interior isn't any less faded than mine. I can buy a new cover every 3 or 4 years.

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: pontoon cover

Thanks again: Great advice like always.:grouphug:

 

[bruceb58]

Re: pontoon cover

I'm financially comfortable and I buy 'cheap' covers. First, it's a PONTOON boat! I don't really think you need to protect it from water and it won't fill up.

I see you keep your pontoon in the garage during the off season. My pontoon is developing mold in it since I bought it last December with the lousy cover it came with. I am in southern California like you. I also have wood floors like most pontoons do. The less the carpet and wood get wet, the less chance I have to replacing those wood floors. I would gladly pay a bit more for a good well fitting cover than going through that time and expense.

I think its totally worth it to have a good cover. If your cover was actually outside all year instead of in boating season, change your 3-4 years to 1 1/2 to 2 years. That along with the fact that you don't need 8 2 liter coke bottles bumping against it as the boat rocks in a slip makes it a pretty easy choice for me.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: pontoon cover

Mine sits out in the weather 24/7/365, in the yard or on the slip, thats why i spent a good bit extra, my slip cover is my garage. After 3 winters no sign of fading or any sort of a problem. This year it will get the weather proofing.