Boat Covers

[colbysmith]

[multimediasmith]

Do you use a cover for towing on the highway?
Was wondering if stone chips or canvas flapping would be worse...

[hardee]

I use a cover on the front windshield. Sunbrella, 2 layers made into a pocket and then corrugated plastic sign sheets in the pockets.



Harvey
SleepyC

[daninPA]

[thataway]

[colbysmith]

[ssobol]

[multimediasmith]

The 25 sits really high on the trailer... above most random stones?
Sounds good to me, one less thing to have to deal with...
Thanks for the input everyone...

[Wood Zeppelin]

I posted a version of this in the towing section, but this might be a better place..

I did a dumb thing. I had the cockpit cover snapped onto my cruiser while towing. I figured (a) it keeps everything inside (b) keep the rain, wind and dirt out (c) theft deterrent and (d) better aerodynamics..

That worked fine for the first day.

Then it got hot the next day. Heat = looser and more flappy in the wind. Somewhere I lost it! I noticed later that two of the snaps tore loose from the fiberglass.

So far, for storage in winters, I've been putting on the slant-back cockpit cover and then throwing a tarp over the rest of the boat.

So would a full cover be better for both towing and storage purposes?

Also, if I want to get a new slant-back, is it possible to get one that fit the existing snap locations without having the old one as a pattern anymore?

And I abandon the slant back, should I remove the snaps and plug the holes?

So I am wondering, would it be better to just get a whole-boat cover and not worry about the little cockpit cover?

[Wood Zeppelin]

I posted a version of this in the towing section, but this might be a better place..

I did a dumb thing. I had the cockpit cover snapped onto my cruiser while towing. I figured (a) it keeps everything inside (b) keep the rain, wind and dirt out (c) theft deterrent and (d) better aerodynamics..

That worked fine for the first day.

Then it got hot the next day. Heat = looser and more flappy in the wind. Somewhere I lost it! I noticed later that two of the snaps tore loose from the fiberglass.

So far, for storage in winters, I've been putting on the slant-back cockpit cover and then throwing a tarp over the rest of the boat.

So would a full cover be better for both towing and storage purposes?

Also, if I want to get a new slant-back, is it possible to get one that fit the existing snap locations without having the old one as a pattern anymore?

And I abandon the slant back, should I remove the snaps and plug the holes?

So I am wondering, would it be better to just get a whole-boat cover and not worry about the little cockpit cover?

[thataway]

See my comments in your other post. Similar to my post above on this page.

[KU]

My first sunbrella cover was from Angola. ~$960+ ~6 yrs ago. They were the only ones that allegedly had all the measurements for a 22' Angler, Their 22' Cruiser pattern is the product/template most people are giving positive reviews for. I only have a radar dome, not other non-stock mods. Mine was well made, but they forgot the side access zipper I asked for, BUT didn't charge me for it, so I lived with it for a year. It is too loose for use on the boat in a slip. I had to run a line side to side under the hull in the middle to tie it down, or it would peel up in any good wind. I kept the cover as it would be 100% fine for use on a trailer-ed boat during storage/overnight when traveling, but not on the boat when towing. I had a custom one made of sunbrella with all possible rub points reinforced with synthetic leather [~$1300+]. It has been on the boat every winter/rainy season for 6+ yrs and is only beginning to wear. It fits tight and barely moves. Its bottom edge cord tightens under the rub-rail. I have my two side fenders through the bottom gaps in both side zippers to help it not shift upward [see myphoto page]. I couldn't find any vendor other than Angola with a 22' CD Angler template. This vendor now has one, Monterey Bay Canvas - Phone: (831) 277-6094 - Address: 695 Hamilton Ave, Seaside, CA 93955

[Wood Zeppelin]

I've had my boat parked in Utah for a year, and the blue trim on the edge of the cabin roof that was facing the sun got very faded. What kind of cover should I get if my primary concern is UV protection? (rain & breathability are not a big deal).

BTW - The cockpit was covered with a small tarp and there is now an abrupt difference in the blue color from what was covered under the tarp (color intact) to what was not covered (very faded)! I thought tarps didn't block enough UV, but it this case it seemed to make a big difference. Could a tarp be all I need, or will the UV eventually get through a tarp?

[thataway]

I have always used Sunbrella--it is a premium, but lasts easily over 12 years, especially if sewn with UV resistant thread such as Gortex Tenara, Tenara is more expensive and slightly harder to work with, but for me worth the cost.

Sun-Dura is similar to Sunbrella, but lighter at 7.6 oz, and not as durable. Then there are some other polypropylene/Tyvec covers, or on the other end totally occlusive materials, such as SeaMark, and ShelterRite. These are too heavy to be a practical full boat cover in my opinion. But some people use them. The Shelter-Rite can be sewn or glued with HL66.

[ssobol]