Thinking about making a trailer cover... Opinions wanted.

Pmt133

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So it's not a matter of knowing that I can do it... I can. I think it's more if it's worth the resources and time.

The goal: Build a reasonably water proof Resistant cover to toss over the boat for the summer when it's on the trailer. Not looking for trailerable, just for sitting next to the house in the summer. For winter storage I have a heavy tarp I cut to size that runs down to the trailer frame to cover more or less everything.

I know it won't ever be 100% impervious but would like to keep most of it covered/protected when not in use. I've currently been using those lightweight ones you get for 100$. They fit pretty well, keep the UV off and sometimes keep it dry... I say sometimes because I resealed the windshield. My cockpit cover keeps 90% of rain water out. I get a small puddle on the dash just from around the hinges but the carpet stays dry in heavy rain... the problem is I throw that trailer cover over it to keep leaves and dirt off the bow and it somehow causes it to get wetter? Like standing water on the carpet. Can't explain it. I actually have to clean some mold up still but it is currently frozen to the carpet in the stern where the cooler was.

Anyway, My machine will handle the material. I will have to be a little creative in how I do my top stitches as it is a domestic unit... but as far as that it will otherwise work. I probably would construct a bench to work off of so that I could lay the materials out and sew flat. I could also look into getting a better machine. My great aunt (RIP) donated her machine to my younger cousin. I forget the exact model but I've run it and it's a beast. It will run large cones too. I suspect, knowing what she did and from what I remember from using it years ago, that it is a step up from a domestic unit but not quite a true industrial machine. So that is an option as well.

Pricing materials... let's call it $500 to make the cover and toss in another $150 to make a good work station. And even that is being generous... allowing for multiple mistakes and re-dos... I don't know how worth the time it would be vs just having my friend (owns a fairly large and pretty respected canvas shop) just make it and bite the bullet on price for him to do it. Figure it would be 2 grand if he does it and unlike the cabin, I don't have the satisfaction of doing it myself.

Anyone ever get that deep into the weeds? Is it worth it? I know only I can really say that but still looking for input.

Thanks in advance.
 

rolmops

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Feb 24, 2002
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If you jump up to the $200 covers with a 5 year warranty and spray silicone on it every spring you will have exactly what you are looking for. If you get a tear in it you can activate your warranty.
On the other side. If you like to make your own stuff, then by all means go for it! The canvas made in local shops will probably cost you over a $1000. The canvas on my boat was $3100.
One thing that really helps with keeping the flat surfaces dry is putting one of those big exercise balls under the cover.
 

bakerjw

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Apr 3, 2013
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I also sew a lot of things from clothes for my granddaughter to curtains to long distance bicycling bags to pillows and more. If we want something, I make it. I have a high end Singer for lighter work and a heavy duty one for the big stuff.

Twelve years ago, for my 18' Stratos CC, I got a great cover from one of the boat cover sites. It is finally giving up the ghost and will be replaced this season. I can replace it with a Sundura one for $372.00. The original fit was great and I will go with it again.

Now for a bimini top. The bimini frame on my boat is a non standard size. I have to copy the original pattern for it.
 

Lou C

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Nov 10, 2002
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I bought a Taylor Made custom cover for my F/W about 20 years ago and built a wood frame to support it in snowy winters. It has held up well but needs repair of a few tears so I feel it was a very good investment. I hear Taylor Made isn’t as good as it was so if I replace it I may have to go with Carver or another brand. It really is a necessary investment in preserving your boat if you don’t have inside storage. Especially if you did your own restoration!
 

airshot

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Jul 22, 2008
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Lots of pro's and con's to a cover.....needs to be waterproof yet needs to breath or it causes mold. Wrestled with this for years. Best solution I have found is a pole barn !! Even a portable structure is better than a poor boat cover. Look at the ribbed panel structures, no footer required and hold up very well. In my prior home, I installed a 6' tall privacy fence, then added a leanto type roof made from ribbed metal panels. Still looks like new after 30 years, never leaked, never rotted from the sun, never needs waterproofing.
If your talking 600 bucks for a poor cover or 1K for a pro cover, you can build a fence and leanto shed roof for that or less !
 

Pmt133

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Jan 6, 2022
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1,309
Lots of pro's and con's to a cover.....needs to be waterproof yet needs to breath or it causes mold. Wrestled with this for years. Best solution I have found is a pole barn !! Even a portable structure is better than a poor boat cover. Look at the ribbed panel structures, no footer required and hold up very well. In my prior home, I installed a 6' tall privacy fence, then added a leanto type roof made from ribbed metal panels. Still looks like new after 30 years, never leaked, never rotted from the sun, never needs waterproofing.
If your talking 600 bucks for a poor cover or 1K for a pro cover, you can build a fence and leanto shed roof for that or less !
Ironically we are building a pole barn but... its for vehicle parking. The town with permitting and other requirements managed to turn a 1k pole barn into a several thousand dollar venture... don't get me started. If it wasn't a shared living situation it'd be done already but I have to appease the powers that be. Long term goal is to move to a new place but... little cost prohibitive at the moment...
 

Lou C

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In take your last nickel NYS, I wouldn't even consider doing that. And, depending on what happens, I may be able to exit this overpriced overrated place, in the near future....
 

rolmops

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Feb 24, 2002
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5,690
Ironically we are building a pole barn but... its for vehicle parking. The town with permitting and other requirements managed to turn a 1k pole barn into a several thousand dollar venture... don't get me started. If it wasn't a shared living situation it'd be done already but I have to appease the powers that be. Long term goal is to move to a new place but... little cost prohibitive at the moment...
Living in Western NY in a suburb, I have a similar code problem,but... As long as you don't ask for permission, nobody told you that you cannot do it. Code enforcement is a funny thing. Usually it is enforced only when there is a complaint. If there is a complaint I have the right to know who complained. Next I will complain about that person and call the town supervisor time and again complaining about code enforcement. And on top of that I tell the supervisor that none of my friends or family will vote for him. Usually, code enforcement melts away.
 

Pmt133

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Messages
1,309
Living in Western NY in a suburb, I have a similar code problem,but... As long as you don't ask for permission, nobody told you that you cannot do it. Code enforcement is a funny thing. Usually it is enforced only when there is a complaint. If there is a complaint I have the right to know who complained. Next I will complain about that person and call the town supervisor time and again complaining about code enforcement. And on top of that I tell the supervisor that none of my friends or family will vote for him. Usually, code enforcement melts away.
Due to the family business... and how much we all deal with code enforcement... can't take that chance lol. For a shed? Sure. But a big ass pole barn appearing in a spot that would most definitely need a variance to be placed there... gotta bend the knee. The biggest thing is they want a poured foundation and footing... which is great except the house its next to is cinderblocks on a skim coat collar. I get it for dwellings but at the rate its going the pole barn is going to be sturdier than the whole house! :LOL:
 
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