Boat Cover

[Quarry Man]

Looking at getting a cabala's boat cover. I want to use it when traveling and when i am on trips and can't keep the boat in my garage. This is for my 14' Vhull with a bow mounted 52" power drive v2. 

 

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Denier-Universal-Fit-Boat-Covers/737269.uts#tabsCollection

 

looking at the one above, but willing to look at others too. Also, what is the advantage of 600 and 300 denier? I assume higher number means more waterproof. thanks

[slonezp]

The Cabelas 600 denier universal boat covers are a very good quality, but they are "universal". My factory cover ripped for the second time in 6 months after 5 years and I purchased a Cabelas universal cover to get me by until I could have a custom cover made. Fortunately they were on sale for 40% off and I got the 20-22ft v hull cover for $100. It came with 2 different sizes of straps, and plenty of them. Also a bungee type cord sewn into the perimeter of the cover to help keep the fit snug. It's a bit tedious to get the cover on the boat. I bought some 1-1/2" pvc to make some tent poles to keep the center elevated so water wouldn't pool up on the cover. I did not do any towing with the cover only for storage. 

[Quarry Man]

43 minutes ago, slonezp said:

The Cabelas 600 denier universal boat covers are a very good quality, but they are "universal". My factory cover ripped for the second time in 6 months after 5 years and I purchased a Cabelas universal cover to get me by until I could have a custom cover made. Fortunately they were on sale for 40% off and I got the 20-22ft v hull cover for $100. It came with 2 different sizes of straps, and plenty of them. Also a bungee type cord sewn into the perimeter of the cover to help keep the fit snug. It's a bit tedious to get the cover on the boat. I bought some 1-1/2" pvc to make some tent poles to keep the center elevated so water wouldn't pool up on the cover. I did not do any towing with the cover only for storage. 

 

I know you said you've never done it, but how do you think it would hold up? will be taking it over 500 miles

[Way2slow]

I've never towed with the boat cover on either, but the critical thing is going to be having it tight.  You don't want any pockets that can catch air and no part of it being able to flap.  It will destroy itself in no time if there is any loose areas that flap.

[Jig Man]

I have towed thousands of miles with a boat cover.  Like stated the cover needs to fit snugly.  An important fact that will help with vibration and wear of the cover and straps is to give them 1/2 turn on the way to the trailer and another 1/2 turn on the way back up to the connection.  That way they will brake up the air flow and not start flopping in the wind.

 

We pulled my old Champion from MO to south TX and MS many times and when I sold it my 14 year old cover looked almost as good as new and never had had a repair.

[slonezp]

9 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

 

I know you said you've never done it, but how do you think it would hold up? will be taking it over 500 miles

It's a well made cover. Properly installed as the 2 guys below state is going to be key. If boat covers aren't tight, In addition to damaging the cover, you run the risk of getting boat rash from the cover rubbing up and down the boats finish.  

 

1 hour ago, Way2slow said:

I've never towed with the boat cover on either, but the critical thing is going to be having it tight.  You don't want any pockets that can catch air and no part of it being able to flap.  It will destroy itself in no time if there is any loose areas that flap.

I've towed thousands of miles with custom covers designed for towing. Agreed they need to fit snugly ss

1 hour ago, Jig Man said:

I have towed thousands of miles with a boat cover.  Like stated the cover needs to fit snugly.  An important fact that will help with vibration and wear of the cover and straps is to give them 1/2 turn on the way to the trailer and another 1/2 turn on the way back up to the connection.  That way they will brake up the air flow and not start flopping in the wind.

 

We pulled my old Champion from MO to south TX and MS many times and when I sold it my 14 year old cover looked almost as good as new and never had had a repair.

The cover he is thinking of purchasing has adjustable ties similar to those on a PFD which wrap around the trailer frame. The bungee cord sewed in the perimeter should prevent it from flapping but I'd still be concerned about boat rash. Back to what I stated in my original post, It's a universal cover. It's going to fit as good as it fits. Nothing more. Nothing less

[Quarry Man]

36 minutes ago, slonezp said:

It's a well made cover. Properly installed as the 2 guys below state is going to be key. If boat covers aren't tight, In addition to damaging the cover, you run the risk of getting boat rash from the cover rubbing up and down the boats finish.  

 

I've towed thousands of miles with custom covers designed for towing. Agreed they need to fit snugly ss

The cover he is thinking of purchasing has adjustable ties similar to those on a PFD which wrap around the trailer frame. The bungee cord sewed in the perimeter should prevent it from flapping but I'd still be concerned about boat rash. Back to what I stated in my original post, It's a universal cover. It's going to fit as good as it fits. Nothing more. Nothing less

 

I am using it for my 14' boat, it has paint on the outside of it, although i would like it to look nice, I'm not to concerned with the boat rash, i need the storage in side so i can fit my rods. 

 

Should i go 600 or 300?

 

thanks

[S Hovanec]

IMO, a universal cover won't fare too well being towed.  It just doesn't fit well enough. I've seen many flapping down the highway, beating the hell out of the boat.

 

Almost all of my towing is done with my cover on, but it's a tight fitting custom.

[slonezp]

10 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

 

I am using it for my 14' boat, it has paint on the outside of it, although i would like it to look nice, I'm not to concerned with the boat rash, i need the storage in side so i can fit my rods. 

 

Should i go 600 or 300?

 

thanks

That's up to you. I don't know if you are buying online or in the store. If you can go in the store and take a look at the difference between the 300 and the 600 material that would be the best bet. I will say this. The first night I had the 600 cover on it had rained pretty good. I did not have the pvc "tent poles" to push up the cover. The next morning I had about 20 gallons of water puddled in the cover at the bow. None of it leaked thru.

[Quarry Man]

3 hours ago, slonezp said:

That's up to you. I don't know if you are buying online or in the store. If you can go in the store and take a look at the difference between the 300 and the 600 material that would be the best bet. I will say this. The first night I had the 600 cover on it had rained pretty good. I did not have the pvc "tent poles" to push up the cover. The next morning I had about 20 gallons of water puddled in the cover at the bow. None of it leaked thru.

 

Well, I bought the 600 Denier Cabbalas cover. I went in store. I am confused on how the straps go on. Can you advise me on how to fasten them? there are about 30 

[slonezp]

Mind you, I got the cover for the V hull, not the jon. Not sure which one you bought. I only figured out the straps with the loops in them. Wrap them around the trailer frame and then bring the part with the buckle thru the loop. Then you can slide the loop forward or back to line up with the buckles on the cover.. I have no clue what the purpose of the other straps are and I'm guessing yours came without instructions just as mine did. I bought some 1-1/2" pvc pipe and 2 pvc caps. Made a base to put them in with some scrap plywood I had laying around. I cut the plywood in 16" squares and sandwiched them together with some deck screws. Used a holesaw to cut a hole in the center to put the pipe into. 

[Quarry Man]

9 hours ago, slonezp said:

Mind you, I got the cover for the V hull, not the jon. Not sure which one you bought. I only figured out the straps with the loops in them. Wrap them around the trailer frame and then bring the part with the buckle thru the loop. Then you can slide the loop forward or back to line up with the buckles on the cover.. I have no clue what the purpose of the other straps are and I'm guessing yours came without instructions just as mine did. I bought some 1-1/2" pvc pipe and 2 pvc caps. Made a base to put them in with some scrap plywood I had laying around. I cut the plywood in 16" squares and sandwiched them together with some deck screws. Used a holesaw to cut a hole in the center to put the pipe into. 

 

thanks for the help!