Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

[WhereBob]

Going to be purchasing a new boat cover for traveling long distances on the highway. Which type of cover is better for high speed traveling, the snap type (covers just the bow and cockpit) or a tie down which covers the whole boat.
I do carry luggage in the boat so I need it to keep the water out if it rains

Thanks

 

[plumbbob5000]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

I have both types of covers for my NauticStar. I like the factory snap on cover for traveling and the tie down cover for storage. The snap on will allow a little water in along some of the edges, but not enough to worry about. The tie-down cover traps too much air and flaps around too much for me.

 

[QC]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

I have had two tied down (straps), custom made travel covers and neither flaps(ed) at all anywhere. I also boat (and tow) with a guy that uses the snap type bow and cockpit covers. His has also been very good with the exception that he has had a couple of snaps rip out, and a couple that won't always stay snapped. Another couple of things are that his are easier to deal with as far as storage, and he is quicker getting going when the weekend is over.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

The key to a good travel cover is to have it fit properly. Rarely do over the counter one size fits all work out. Canvas shops know how to make things fit and while the cover may cost a bit more, it will be custom and whether you use straps or snaps won't make much difference. Design the cover so wind can't get under it and you won't have a problem. I make my own covers and this one gets trailered at 70 MPH with no problem. It's been in use since 2004 and travels a couple thousand miles a summer. Note the absence of straps. The reason snaps pull out is because people tend to just yank on the material to release the snap. Roll your finger next to the snap and they will pop loose easily. If you have a custom cover made and decide on snaps, there are two grades (standard and heavy duty). They are identical except for the spring in the heavy duty. Use only HD snaps.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

We had a custom made snap-on cover included as part of a sales promotion when we bought our new boat last year. The thing I like the best about it is that it is so easy to put on and take off. So easy, in fact, that I use it every time I go out, even if the drive is only for 3 miles. It folds easily and gets dropped into the back of the 4Runner while we're on the lake.

While it might be arguable that it's better for fuel economy when towing, I like the fact that prying eyes can't see the GPS/Sonar unit perched on top of the dash.

When we were up north last year, we used it every night when the boat was docked and whenever there was threatening weather. Not sure how one would do that with a strapped cover.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

I just had this snap on cover made for my boat. Picked it up yesterday, drove through a severe T-storm and it was dry as a bone! I like the idea if I'm moored and it's gonna storm, I can cover the boat and not worry about the straps around the hull... I do understand that some tie downs cover more of the hull and offer better protection from the road...

I had a spare tire and outdrive cover made as well...

 

[WhereBob]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

Thanks for the replies everyone

 

[plumbbob5000]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

I should have mentioned that the tie-down cover that I have is not a custom cover for my specific boat. It was a "one-size-fits-all" cover that was recommended for my size deck boat. As QC mentioned, a custom made tie-down cover would not trap as much air as mine. Hope this helps.

 

[Edko]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

The key to a good travel cover is to have it fit properly. Rarely do over the counter one size fits all work out. Canvas shops know how to make things fit and while the cover may cost a bit more, it will be custom and whether you use straps or snaps won't make much difference. Design the cover so wind can't get under it and you won't have a problem. I make my own covers and this one gets trailered at 70 MPH with no problem. It's been in use since 2004 and travels a couple thousand miles a summer. Note the absence of straps. The reason snaps pull out is because people tend to just yank on the material to release the snap. Roll your finger next to the snap and they will pop loose easily. If you have a custom cover made and decide on snaps, there are two grades (standard and heavy duty). They are identical except for the spring in the heavy duty. Use only HD snaps.

My wife wants to make a new snap cover for our boat, old one is now 18 years old and faded, slightly torn. Would you mind sharing a few quick how to's? ie, most sunbrella we see on ebay etc. are 60" or less width per yard, and we need 68", so there will have to be a seam. Should seams run horizontally or is 1 vertical seam strong enough? That and any other tips appreciated, thanks!

 

[WhereBob]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

I should have mentioned that the tie-down cover that I have is not a custom cover for my specific boat. .

So a custom would be like the one we could order through iboats for our specfic boats or should it be measure and made by a cover, tarp company?


Thanks again everyone

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

Take the boat to a covermaker and have them make it, and fit it exactly to your boat... I think you'll be much happier with results. It may be more expensive, but worth it!

 

[plumbbob5000]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

So a custom would be like the one we could order through iboats for our specfic boats or should it be measure and made by a cover, tarp company?


Thanks again everyone

I ordered mine through iboats, but they didn't have one for my specific boat so I had to order a "semi-custom" fit cover. One that is made specifically for your boat should work a lot better for traveling than mine.

BTW, I shopped around and iboats had the best deal on covers that I could find online.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Traveling Boat cover - Snap on or tie down?

replacing snaps isn't a big deal... Chances on enough of them failing simultaneously loosing a cover on the road aren't that high... But yes bubba is correct, they do fail... I bought a spare snap kit (stainless) for ~$35 for the times they fail...