problems with your cover

[josh daniels]

do you have issues with your cover? does it not fit right when it's too cold? are they just plain annoying when it's dark and you really don't feel like covering your boat? let me know what your experiences with covers are, maybe i can see what went wrong with your covers and learn from that.

 

[cadunkle]

Re: problems with your cover

The cover on my boat (presumably custom made) is very tight and hard to get the last few snaps on. It's an old cover with a few patched tears. Seems a lot easier to get it all snapped it the cover is a bit wet. The material just seems to get a bit more stretch to it when wet.

 

[BF]

Re: problems with your cover

my cover is lame. It's a generic blue one with 4 black nylon straps that are sewn over the top. Then they have buckles that connect to straps that go under the boat. The edge has elasti-cord sewn into it. The problem is that the buckles aren't right at the edge of the top, they're about 6 or 8" up. That means even when the straps are tight, it is only the elasti-cord keeping the seal around the boat.

Even though it was supposed to fit the beam of my 16' boat, it seems a bit undersized. To keep the edge of the cover from sliding up, I have sewn some (about 10?) 1" nylon loops with plastic D rings around the edge. That way, in addition to the nylon straps, I use a cord/rope either under the boat, or to the trailer to keep the edge down. It makes it a much more more snug fit and water sheds better.

I also use wood batons to elevate the cover a bit, but I need to add one more in the front area because water can still pool there (no windshield on my boat).

I still intend to build a sort of ridge pole and use a big blue tarp over the whole thing this winter.

All in all, I think I would've been better with more of a "heavy duty" cover... one with an attached motor cover would be nice.

 

[109jb]

Re: problems with your cover

3 boats 3 different covers.

1st boat has a custom snap cover with support bows. As long as the bow is raised as high as the trailer jack will allow I have no problems except having to replace the snaps on rare occasions. If I don't raise the bow, water can collect on the cover and with enough rain the rear support bow will spring down and then it will collect a lot of water. I have a pole that goes under the center of the support bow to prevent this.

2nd boat has a universal cover with elastic around the edge and sewn in loops. Cover doesn't fit well as it is much wider than the beam of the boat. The elastis is pretty much useless. This boat has centerline seat bases in the front and rear of the boat. I have some poles that I put in there and then a strap that goes from bow to stern running over these poles to allow the cover to "tent" over the boat. Elastic straps from the trailer frame to the sewn in loops hold the cover down. Works OK with this setup.

3rd boat is a boat that needs new floors and I haven't bought an actual boat cover for it yet and I use a blue tarp. Again, I made a support frame out of pvc pipe to allow the tarp to "tent", and hold it down with elastic straps. Works OK for now.

 

[Dirty Dawg]

Re: problems with your cover

Are too many covers a problem? I have a custom biminni and bow covers and also getting a semicustom trailerable cover as well. Should I use both setups for extra protection and support or should I be concerned with mildew moisture getting trapped between the two covers layers?

Josh I did not mean to hijack your thread Ike

 

[josh daniels]

Re: problems with your cover

Okay, so here's another question for you Boat covers are hassles but, why tell me why they are hassles, i mean i know why they're a hassle to me, but why are they hassles for you?



Josh's project partner,
Kelli

 

[zach103]

Re: problems with your cover

tryng to get them go over the supports and keep the supports stand. and sometimes they don't wanna move or get stuck so you gotta keep walking around the boat

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: problems with your cover

Okay, so here's another question for you Boat covers are hassles but, why tell me why they are hassles, i mean i know why they're a hassle to me, but why are they hassles for you?



Josh's project partner,
Kelli

Some snaps are easier to do from inside the boat, others on the outside so you move around. Also, it would be nice to see improved venting designs to keep the water and debris out, but allow a damp boat to dry quickly.