Waterproof boat covers

[PaxnChris]

We bought our first boat about a month ago and have enjoyed it so much. Currently we are looking to purchase a waterproof boat cover in the $200.00 range. We have a button down travel cover and will be getting the boat shrink rapped for the winter months. We will be using the waterproof cover for the months that we are utilizing the boat and want to protect it from rain, sun, etc...We have a couple of questions:

1. We have a wakeboard tower and we have noticed that the covers specifically for the towers cost much more. Can we get away with a standard cover that comes with the quick release straps?

2. Our boat is 19FT w/o the swim deck and 22FT with. Do we get a waterproof cover that fits 19 or 22 feet?

Thanks for any advice you can provide!

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Waterproof boat covers

I have a 21' Sea Ray BR that's actually 19' 8" without the swim steps. I bought a 22' generic cover and it fits the boat very nicely. A little long in front, but covers the swim steps nicely in back.

I think you could get away with using a 22' boat cover for a BR if you don't have high front rails. I'm assuming your tower mounts out near the gunwales. If so, I think the cover will fit inside the tower mounts, then go back down over the gunwales in front and behind the mounts.

Here's the cover I bought from e-bay. Dark blue, 100% polyester.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BRAND-NEW-WATERPROOF-BOAT-COVER-20-22-NAVY-BLUE-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem1c1531a4f5QQitemZ120614659317QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

And here's the one I think I should have bought- It's a 10 ounce 65% polyester-35% Cotton blend fabric- I think it will breath better, and it's lighter colored so the boat will stay cooler inside.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/DELUXE-WATERPROOF-V-HULL-BOAT-COVER-COVERS-20-22-BOATS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem43a156b2d1QQitemZ290469622481QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

Be sure and check the cover you buy is appropriate for the beam of your boat. And both vendors (and there are several more) have several colors to choose from.

You could also slit the cover at your tower mounts, but you'd have to do some sewing to finish off the raw edges, and add some tabs with velcro to attach the cover back to itself on the outside edges of the mounts. I'd try it without that step first...

 

[Texas Parrothead]

Re: Waterproof boat covers

Wow, Thanks Goziert!

I think I will buy one of those from e-bay today!

 

[Texas Parrothead]

Re: Waterproof boat covers

Just order mine. I boat the second one that is 10 onces. They said it would ship tomorrow and I should have it in time for the labor day weekend!

Thanks again, My current cover that cost approx. $350 just got torn last week!

 

[PaxnChris]

Re: Waterproof boat covers

Thanks for the help Gozierdt! I went with the second cover you suggested. I bid on it 1 hour prior to the sale ending and won...paid $99 w/shipping.