Boat covers and Towing

Wood Zeppelin · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2023 1:45 pm Post subject: Boat covers and Towing

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, is it recommended to not tow with one of these on? Or did I just have faulty snaps and/or bad luck?

Also, would it be better to just get a whole-boat cover and not worry about the little cockpit cover? Do people tow with whole boat covers on?

thataway · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2023 2:43 pm Post subject:

I have used my slant back cockpit cover on occasion. But normally not. The full boat cover only if it is designed for towing. That means it has straps which go under the boat in multiple places and can be pulled tight. I do have a windshield cover which snaps on tight. It also depends on the tow vehicle. When towing being a large RV, then there is a buffer, and although a certain amount of turbulence, there will be less stress on the cockpit cover.

Your snaps were probably fine, but the loose cover was the culprit.

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2023 2:04 pm Post subject:

I've towed short distances constantly checking the rear view mirror. Generally not worth it. Best to modify any snaps onboard with twist lock fasteners. The single screw fasteners are fairly simple to replace a male single screw snap (which I have learned to hate on boats). Since you have had single screw snaps pull out, replacing with the double screw twist locks is the way to go. And if you are doing more than about 20 fasteners, the fabric hole cutter is worth it.

https://www.sailrite.com/Common-Sense-Fastener-Cloth-to-Surface-Complete-5-8-Screw?quantity=1&custcol_qty_in_pack=4&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_LSGkIGPgQMVqQytBh0gNQvGEAQYBCABEgIeX_D_BwE
https://www.sailrite.com/Common-Sense-Cloth-to-Surface-Complete-With-2-Screw-Stud?quantity=1&custcol_qty_in_pack=3&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_LSGkIGPgQMVqQytBh0gNQvGEAQYBSABEgJQ-fD_BwE
https://www.sailrite.com/Common-Sense-Eyelet-Hole-Cutter