When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

[444]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

Mine's covered when it rains. Otherwise the cover is off. When I'm not out at the lake, my boat is stored indoors at home so the cover is off then too. I figure the floor, stringers and transom are all made out of wood, and water is the enemy of wood so I do everything I can to keep it dry. Getting wet when out at the lake is unavoidable, but I try to make up for it by keeping it dry when not in use.

 

[atx111]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

I cover mine whenever it's not in use, even though it's stored inside a heated storage building. The only time I won't is if I don't think it's completely dried out and then I'll cover it after a day or two. I plan on keeping this boat for a loooonnngg time, and I want to keep it looking as good as I possibly can.

 

[Philster]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

Mooring cover during season and between uses. Off season, she gets a full bow to stern cover.

 

[JoLin]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

I have a mooring cover that I snap on any time the boat is docked. I wish the previous owner had been as conscientious about it. The interior is in reasonable shape, but would be better if it had been kept covered. UV is hard on boats...

 

[haley]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

• Uncovered in garage.
• Covered in driveway
• Depends on weather while towing. I prefer not having the straps flapping but if is a long trip or going to rain I cover it.
• I had it in a slip for a week this summer. Used trailer cover on it at night ( that sure looked special ) but ended up taking it off for at the two stormiest evenings - cover was catching to much wind. Have to invest in cockpit cover.

 

[blifsey]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

Keep mine under an open sided carport. Even though I don't put a cover on it every time it is always covered

 

[badkins50]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

she always gets a bath and covered up when we get home from the lake. winter time she will get shrink wrapped.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

The only time the cover is off is when I'm on the deck, and occasionally overnight if the weather is good. It gets framed and tented through the winter. Here's hoping it will last a long, long time.

 

[kmarine]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

I cover mine when not in use, I do as a marine upholstry shop owner appreciate all the extra work from people who bring me seats that are trashed from the uv sun damage after three years. dont forget any possible resale value for your boat if you have cracked seats. A cover will only protect your boat if it is properly fitted and vented.

 

[mcgyver210]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

Always Covered where I keep mine at Marina.

 

[woosterken]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

she always gets a bath and covered up when we get home from the lake. winter time she will get shrink wrapped.

if you love it (that may be a bit strong for a boat) but if you plan on keeping it for a long while , its not work!!
its part of having a nice boat that turns heads
my girl is a '74 but she looks better than some new ones ive seen.

woosterken

 

[25thmustang]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

When regularly using the boat during a string of good weather I may leave the camper back off, but the bimini over the console stays up almost 100% of time. Most of the time the bimini and camper are up but not the sides. If I'm not going to be there more than a week, or rains in the forcast I put up the entire enclosure.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

Since mine lives in the garage, I wasn't covering it at all for the first year or so. Then a few months ago we had an unfortunate incident - a screech owl got locked in the garage for two days. I spent the next couple days cleaning owl scat and little mouse bits out of the boat. Now it sits covered in the garage! Yes, the owl made out just fine and we still see her and her babies quite often.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

Since mine lives in the garage, I wasn't covering it at all for the first year or so. Then a few months ago we had an unfortunate incident - a screech owl got locked in the garage for two days. I spent the next couple days cleaning owl scat and little mouse bits out of the boat. Now it sits covered in the garage! Yes, the owl made out just fine and we still see her and her babies quite often.


View attachment 107167 View attachment 107168

I used to do this, but found that at least a dust cover is required even in the garage. I would often end up with dead bugs all over the interior from the light in the garage. Plus the dust and dirt that gets in there.

 

[Susquehanna Squid]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

Mine is garage kept. When it is not in the garage it is covered.

 

[taurus72]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

The only time the cover is off is when I'm on the deck, and occasionally overnight if the weather is good. It gets framed and tented through the winter. Here's hoping it will last a long, long time.

Jeep, do you have a picture of this? How do you frame it and tent? This sounds interesting.

thanks

Richard

 

[gstrom11]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

I only cover when storing outside or going on trips (more less to keep the crap we pack in there from blowing away), usually she lives in the garage when not in use.

 

[tejastoolman]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

What kind of boat do you have? Do you have carpet? If your boat does not have a fiberglass/gel floor that drains on its own (with the plug in), you might want to keep it covered. Even if your deck is waterproof and drains on its own, the sun will do a number on your interior. Spend a little time in the restore forum to see what rain and sun can do to a boat.

I cover mine whenever I am not using it.

after buying a boat that sat out for 6 years in the Tx weather thinking I got a great deal...... I have been replacing this an that in the interior for the last 2 years lil by lil..... but if it was left out uncovered/uncared for, hmmm then sadly so was everything else.......


I've learned the fun way......

I'm very thankful for the repair forums

 

[coinman1947]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

I try to keep in covered when i'm not using it, I just believe it will look better and last longer. I hope !! I just finished what i call my BOAT-PORT, i just put it on one end of the shop.(easier to back it in there) Still got to put up some lights and a power outlet for battery charger and such. It's just been so darn hot in AR this july and august,I'm surprized i got it finished this far, Hottest wheather on record around these parts. Here's some pics-

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-As always this is one of many ( WORKS ) in progress.

 

[gtochris]

Re: When do you cover your boat - everytime you use it?

Because I have carpet and a small cuddy after a days use I leave the cover off to get the inside dried out.

This

As long as a hard storm isnt coming, I'll leave it open to ensure it dries out before covering.