Mooring Cover Material - Sunbrella vs. Aqualon vs. Dockside

R

Rob & Karen

New member
I am shopping for a full mooring cover for a CD22. I have seen a few different materials (other than canvas) available for the cover....Sunbrella, Aqualon and Dockside.

Can anyone provide a comparison of the options and/or a recommendation on which material to use. I am looking for a cover for the entire boat, including motor, down to about 6 inches below the rub rail.

Any information or words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks.

Rob
 
Even though the Sunbrella is more expensive, I believe in the long run it will pay off. Our experience is that Sunbrella, properly made and stitched with gortex UV resistant thread (Tendra) will last 10 to 11 years. Some of the cheaper fabrics only seem to last a year or so. Sunbrella plus has a urethane under coating and is truely water proof. I have had excellent success with plain Sunbrella. I have not to my knowlege used either of the other two products--but I have had problems with those which have coatings--they only lasted a year or two. These products may be better than those I have used.

Aqualon has pigmented vinyl resin on the top side. Center a two ply polyester of 9 oz. The underside is coated with a water resistant finish. My experience is similar products eventually the vinly resin begins to separate. The material does not breath as well as Sunbrella.

I belive that Dockside is also polyester coated on the top with a Polymer.
 
Sunbrella is an excellent product and will not let you down. Do use the Tendra thread, there are several manufactures of this type of product. Also studies have shown that darker colors last longer.

If there is a problem with Sunbrella it is that on large boats it can get heavy and difficult to manage.

With respect to how far down you go, I suggest that you consider covering try to cover the colored gelcoat with the Sunbrella, it will reduce fading which is a problem at Lake Powell. It may not be a problem where you keep your boat.

We generally do not water proof the cover because of the chance of mildew.

If you want to review various types of materials to the Sailrite website and they will describe the various products available.
 
Rob

Like others I have had good luck with the Sunbrella on previous boat covers and I just had one made for our 22' angler.
A couple of ideas to go with this.
I had the motor cover made separate from the main tarp. It makes it easier and cleaner to finish around the motor well and gives you good drainage into the well. Also the motor cover can be custom fit to look good.
The Sunbrella is good but it is better if reinforced at any wear or contact location. Mine has backing at the anchor, roof, back corners and at all tie down locations. They used for backing the type of material used for truck tarps. It is really tough.
If you store the Sunbrella tarp it is important to make sure it is really dry or you can have unwanted mildew damage.
Like others stated, the full boat cover made of Sunbrella with some backing is a heavy load. I would rather have building to store it in but that is not practical for me

hope this helps a little

Ed
 
Well I finally did it, got a custom mooring cover (sunbrella) for my boat. Previously I used lighter materials for ease of taking on and off, but got tired of replacing them every 1-2 years. I had them make the cover 2 pieces that zip together at the back of the cabin roof to keep the handling weight down. They also installed 2 vents over the cockpit area. There are also 'cat flaps' (no offense Wild Blue) on either side and in between the outboards.

Van Nuys Awning, where I had the cover made, has been in this business for 89 years, didn't know that, but their work shows it. Now my Dora~Jean has a proper covering to match her 'inner quality'!

Cover_3_07.sized.jpg

Cover_3_07a.sized.jpg
 
Thanks all, and I was delighted to see the cover come out way better than expected! I was worried about the dark green color being too dark (heat in the SW), but no, it's just fine. I was able to put this cover on by myself in about 10 minutes with tie downs, which are a nice touch of sturdy adjustable straps that loop around the trailer frame, plus a rope threaded around the entire perimeter. I had them extend it down to cover the gunnel strip, one of the purposes of this cover. They added material to cover the O/B's which I hadn't planned, plus seal under and around to keep the critters out -- another very nice touch. Good people for sure.

It cost $1200 + tax, no extras. I don't think they have a pattern, but I can ask. They said they sit down for a couple of hours going over the whole boat and decide their approach and plan from there. I'd imagine each boat is different with accessories and all which would drive different patterns. They said they could have sold a dozen of these boats with all the passerbys and customers asking about it and drooling over it. Makes you feel good, but glad they said NO WAY to selling this one!

About the only 'snow' we get around here are ashes from wildfires in the fall...here's hoping for fewer of them in the future.
 
Yes, you could tow with it on if it's tight enough. In the pictures I only have a couple of tie downs secured, with all it is quite tight. However, I wouldn't recommend towing long distances on the freeway and all, too hard on the cover and possible abrasion to boat surfaces.

I put this cover on in one piece just to see if it could be done, not much of a problem once you get it 'thrown' into the cockpit from the ground. After that you're only handling parts of it at a time.
 
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