Westland Semi-Custom Covers

[DYLBOSS]

Has anyone purchased one of these? I'm wondering how well they fit compared to a custom cover. Worth the savings?

 

[83Evinrude]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

Not sure about their Semi-Customs but I sure like my Westland Exact Fit. Still cheaper than a custom cover from a local shop.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

I had one for a 16' runabout for my Jupiter. Fit very nicely except for the outboard pocket. That was a little large.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

Are you looking just to use it as a cover or is it going to be used for trailering?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

Bought one for my fathers boat for xmas gift.
The box has the size right, but the cover comes up about 7" short.
By the time we got the boat out of winter storage and tried it, it was too late to return.

Gonna give it to someone, as soon as I find someone with a boat that small.

Oh yeah, if its one with the elastic around the bottom hem, they are difficult to put on unless you have someone to help put it on.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

Bought one for my fathers boat for xmas gift.
The box has the size right, but the cover comes up about 7" short.
By the time we got the boat out of winter storage and tried it, it was too late to return.

Gonna give it to someone, as soon as I find someone with a boat that small.

Oh yeah, if its one with the elastic around the bottom hem, they are difficult to put on unless you have someone to help put it on.

Same problem here too. But I found out right away and did return it for full credit.

pThen bought a Carver semi-custom and it is absolutely perfect!

 

[QC]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

You know you guys could easily take one to a local shop and have them modified if they're too big or too small . . . Eliminates some of the savings, but can be done.

 

[DYLBOSS]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

Are you looking just to use it as a cover or is it going to be used for trailering?

Yes, I was planning to use it for trailering too, but very infrequently.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

You know you guys could easily take one to a local shop and have them modified if they're too big or too small . . . Eliminates some of the savings, but can be done.

Shouldn't have to customize a new cover that is sold to fit your specific make model and year of boat. It wasn't a little snug, it was 7 inches short, and 4 feet too wide. Apparently their "semi-custom" covers fit hundreds of boats, just don't believe the measurements on the label.

Finally towed dads boat here, 200 miles, took it to the amish canvas shop, and had them make one that fits perfectly. No elastic, no ropes, fits like a glove.

But honestly, it shouldn't be that difficult to cover a 16.5' open aluminum boat.

 

[QC]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

Agree ^^^^ but better than the dumpster

 

[JimS123]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

You know you guys could easily take one to a local shop and have them modified if they're too big or too small . . . Eliminates some of the savings, but can be done.

I always customize my covers so they look and fit perfect. My wife is an expert seamstress and has a professional machine.

But its kinda hard to add 7" of length unless you have more material. The cover was advertised as fitting a boat between 14'6" and 15'6" and mine is 14'11" and it was too short. The replacement cover from Carver was right on.

 

[DYLBOSS]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

Well, what I'm taking from all of this is that Westland Semi-Custom covers suck. Sounds like Carver is the way to go.

 

[Expidia]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

Yes, I was planning to use it for trailering too, but very infrequently.

Any trailering around 55 mph and greater will rip a loose fitting cover into shreds.

Order one and see how it fits you can always return it. But if the other posters said Westland brand didn't fit their their boats I wouldn't waste the postage back and forth.

I'd check out the Carver brand that the other poster had a good fit with. I have a Westland Sunbrella Bimini and the Westland frame snapped in have. . . China stuff!

But the Sunbrella fabric is tops for Biminis and enclosures. Others here will disagree not to use Sunbrella for trailering. I go by what my custom canvas shop whose been making covers for 35 years. He said Sunbrella stretches! He made me my custom trailer cover for $500 and the fabric was Top Gun. This is great stuff, has a slight rubberized feel to it and cleans up great. The Top Gun was the same price as the Sunbrella.

If you get the Westland brand get the Sharkskin over the Sunbrella. I know Sunbrella stretches. I'd call their cus support and ask if Sharkskin stretches. Sharkskin is less expensive too.

If you go with semi custom by a snap kit. The kit comes with a little punch to lock on the snaps. Any slack on the semi custom just put a snap on the cover and the boat so there is no flapping of the fabric "at all".

 

[JimS123]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

Well, what I'm taking from all of this is that Westland Semi-Custom covers suck. Sounds like Carver is the way to go.

I dont want to trash talk Westland. It was a very nice cover, it looked very well made and it appeared to be quite road worthy. My only complaint was that the size did not meet the specs.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Westland Semi-Custom Covers

If you get the Westland brand get the Sharkskin over the Sunbrella. I know Sunbrella stretches. I'd call their cus support and ask if Sharkskin stretches. Sharkskin is less expensive too.QUOTE]

From my experience sharkskin is certainly very waterproof and durable as far as usage in concerned. However, it is very susceptible to discoloration wherever it rubs on windshields, etc. Hard to describe without a pic, but it looks like it "scratches" easily.

So, if durability is a concern, its very good. If aethestics is a concrn, it may not float your boat.