Who uses a Boat Cover?

[A-Jay]

1 minute ago, 12poundbass said:

Hauling a boat in northern Michigan during the may fly hatch requires a boat cover. 

 

I remember as a kid walleye fishing Black lake, we'd always be up there when the may flies hatched (not by choice) and our boat would be one big may fly by the time we got back to the campground after a day of fishing. 

 

YUP.

A-Jay

[Firefish Alumacraft]

My boats stored in my garage so I don't cover it, thinking of buying one for traveling long distances. thinking Id get better MPG with a shell. The windshield of the boat is like a giant wind dam and then a void area of low pressure causing a vacuum.  Plus also keeps out the dirt and rain.

[Further North]

22 hours ago, tcbass said:

When you buy the matching boat cover for your boat from the manufacturer, they aren't cheap. 

 

Who uses one and do you always use the cover?

If I were buy a boat new, I would absolutely buy the cover.  It's cheap at twice the cost...and I store my boat in a garage.

 

I use my cover on any trip other than short local runs to stop the boat from getting soaked and/or filthy.

 

I made the mistake of not using a cover twice...call me a slow learner.  I won't do it again.

[Fishing Rhino]

21 hours ago, nocluefisher said:

My boat is only a couple months old, but if it is going to rain I cover mine. If not than no cover goes on it.  My boat came with the cover.

 

Interesting.  I'd be more concerned about the damage caused by sunlight than I would be about rain.

 

The CD that came with my boat's cover, and the message inside the pocket for the cable ratchet advise against using the cover for long hauls.  All that road grime, dust, grit, bugs, etc can get trapped between the cover and the hull.  When the cover flutters during travel, it becomes an abrasive that can damage a hull's finish.  

 

I do take the cover when I travel with the boat.  It goes on the boat at night to keep the inside of the boat and everything in there such as the seats, carpet and consoles dry.  If it rains during the day, but is not supposed to rain that night, the cover stays off which allows at least some of the moisture to evaporate.

 

I'm fortunate.  My boat stays in the garage, uncovered, with all hatches open to provide good air circulation.  My opinion is that the tow vehicle takes the brunt of the impact from bugs and other airborne debris, acting like a deflector to most things that could potentially impact the boat.

[Further North]

19 hours ago, A-Jay said:

The manufactures cover is a LUND and it uses snaps on the stern only. 

All the sides utilize the Lund Protrak system.  It's an integral groove extending around the edge of the boat which receives adjustable anchored fasteners to hold the boat cover which attach to the fasteners.  

A-Jay

How similar is the Protrack system to the Crestliner system?  Sounds very close and I love the Crestliner cover I have.  Goes on fast and snug.

[A-Jay]

4 minutes ago, Further North said:

How similar is the Protrack system to the Crestliner system?  Sounds very close and I love the Crestliner cover I have.  Goes on fast and snug.

 

Not familiar with that one but can tell you if they are the same at this point - I'd never use anything else.

A-Jay

[tcbass]

11 minutes ago, Fishing Rhino said:

 

Interesting.  I'd be more concerned about the damage caused by sunlight than I would be about rain.

 

The CD that came with my boat's cover, and the message inside the pocket for the cable ratchet advise against using the cover for long hauls.  All that road grime, dust, grit, bugs, etc can get trapped between the cover and the hull.  When the cover flutters during travel, it becomes an abrasive that can damage a hull's finish.  

 

I do take the cover when I travel with the boat.  It goes on the boat at night to keep the inside of the boat and everything in there such as the seats, carpet and consoles dry.  If it rains during the day, but is not supposed to rain that night, the cover stays off which allows at least some of the moisture to evaporate.

 

I'm fortunate.  My boat stays in the garage, uncovered, with all hatches open to provide good air circulation.  My opinion is that the tow vehicle takes the brunt of the impact from bugs and other airborne debris, acting like a deflector to most things that could potentially impact the boat.

 

 

Interesting....good point that the cover can trap abrasive materials between it and the hull.....shoot, I'm going on a long trip and was considering putting the cover on for the trip, to protect the boat, and to keep people from attempting to steal stuff from my boat. 

[Further North]

2 minutes ago, tcbass said:

I'm going on a long trip and was considering putting the cover on for the trip, to protect the boat, and to keep people from attempting to steal stuff from my boat. 

Do it.

 

With a custom cover, very little if any debris will trapped between the cover and the hull - look at the picture of AJ's covered boat.

 

...and the amount of crap that will wind up in your boat on a long trip will take you hours to clean out.  Lots of stuff gets past the tow vehicle, and a bunch more gets kicked by the tow vehicle.

[Fishing Rhino]

1 minute ago, Further North said:

Do it.

 

With a custom cover, very little if any debris will trapped between the cover and the hull - look at the picture of AJ's covered boat.

 

...and the amount of crap that will wind up in your boat on a long trip will take you hours to clean out.  Lots of stuff gets past the tow vehicle, and a bunch more gets kicked by the tow vehicle.

 

I've hauled my boat over 10,000 miles from Lake Champlain to southern Georgia and points in between, and have yet to find a grubby boat from any of my travels.  I get more grime on the area of the hull at the waterlines from the gunk that floats on the surface of the water than I've gotten from all my travels combined.

 

To each his own.

[A-Jay]

6 minutes ago, Further North said:

Do it.

 

With a custom cover, very little if any debris will trapped between the cover and the hull - look at the picture of AJ's covered boat.

 

...and the amount of crap that will wind up in your boat on a long trip will take you hours to clean out.  Lots of stuff gets past the tow vehicle, and a bunch more gets kicked by the tow vehicle.

 

And speaking of stuff that gets past the tow vehicle - may be a good idea to consider what is thrown up & back BY the tow vehicle.

If there is routinely travel on gravel roads for any distance or at a speed more than 5 or 10 mph, Rock Tamers or something similar, are a decent investment.  Customizable to fit most any application and a reasonably simple & straight forward DIY install.

Nothing's fool proof but these do absorb a good bit of what my truck spit's out.

A-Jay

 

[S Hovanec]

Covers also keep cigarettes out of the boat.  Noone has ever smoked in my boat, yet I have a cigarette burn in the carpet on the rear deck.  I can only assume someone tossed it in at a stoplight.

[tcbass]

39 minutes ago, S Hovanec said:

Covers also keep cigarettes out of the boat.  Noone has ever smoked in my boat, yet I have a cigarette burn in the carpet on the rear deck.  I can only assume someone tossed it in at a stoplight.

 

 

That sucks. I'd be ticked. 

[S Hovanec]

45 minutes ago, tcbass said:

 

 

That sucks. I'd be ticked. 

 

Yea.  That was 5 years ago and my a$s is still chapped about it.

[Sam]

On ‎8‎/‎18‎/‎2017 at 3:13 PM, tcbass said:

When you buy the matching boat cover for your boat from the manufacturer, they aren't cheap. 

 

Who uses one and do you always use the cover?

 

Yes and yes.

[tcbass]

10 minutes ago, Sam said:

 

Yes and yes.

 

 

So, if you're just making a 15 min run to a lake you use the boat cover?

[OCdockskipper]

My little Pond Prowler stays on the water all year long, I have always covered it.  The first cover was an inexpensive "one size fits all" from BPS, it ended up blowing away in a windstorm.  So I had a quality cover custom built by a local guy who makes them for various saltwater vessels in the area.  It takes all of the sun, weather, bird poop and other crud and keeps the boat looking really nice.

 

I also used it a few weeks ago when we hauled the Pond Prowler to a small lake we were vacationing on.  Worked well for the travel, allowed us to put all the gear inside the boat without worry of it getting damaged.

[Sam]

10 hours ago, tcbass said:

 

 

So, if you're just making a 15 min run to a lake you use the boat cover?

 

No. Interperted the question as to storage.

 

 

[BigAngus752]

We have a factory Ranger cover.  Seems as good (or better) than many custom covers I've seen. Our boat doesn't fit in the garage so the cover stays on anytime it's parked.  The Mercury outboard didn't come with a cover but it has one now.  

 

Local lakes (an hour or two drive) the cover is off.  Our upcoming 9hr drive out of state the cover will be on.  

 

The key to this cover being a great travel cover is that it has two pull straps that run from front to back under each side of the hem so you can not only cinch it tight around the bottom, but you can also use straps or Boat Buckles to crank the straps tight and keep them tight.  No possible way for the hem to flap around and ghost your paint when on the highway at 70mph.  When this cover wears out I will buy the exact same cover from Ranger again.  

 

Like @Fishing Rhino My preference would be to keep the boat indoors with the hatches open when not in use.  Maybe someday.  

[boostr]

I have no choice, my boat doesn't fit in the garage. I bought mine from Covers Direct. I bought the SunDura cover with integrated motor cover and  matching Talon cover. It's also trailerable. 7 year warranty isn't to shabby either.

[Blacktail 8541]

I use a cover to protect from the suns UV. Also helps with the dust. My Ranger has two covers, 1 the shipping cover and 2 the factory cover. I use the shipping cover during the summer  and the factory cover  during the winter.

[Bulletman20XD]

Mines stays covered even in storage to keep the dust/dirt out. It's an Carver cover, Bullet sells the same thing that's supposed to be custom. It's really semi-custom and doesn't fit well enough for me to drive down the road with it. It's a nice cover and works well just doesn't fit well.

 

I say strorage cause my HOA doesn't allow them to be parked here unless it's inside the garage--Yeah right my wife's car has to be parked sideways to get it in there!

[TOXIC]

I couldn't get my boat in my garage (2 1/2 car by the way) even if there was nary a car in it.  Soooooo....the rig gets parked outside.  Just as a note, I don't like it, I have never liked it but I have no choice.  Although I have 4 acres, my house is built on a cliff and I cannot expand the garage.  It sucks, so I expanded the driveway enough for it to have it's own "pad" where I can put both the boat and truck.  That being said, I am SUPER picky about my boats finish and I cover it well.  After 5 years, there is -0- sun damage and the gel is oxidation free.  Yes, I have to wax and seal it more often and yes, in the event we get snow (rarely) I have to go out and clear the cover but it can be done.  I never tow with a cover on.  I just got back from a 2 day up and 2 day back pull to Wisconsin and I only covered it at night while in the hotel(s).  

 

 

[WRB]

Glass boats and engine cowling can get severely wind damaged by poor fitting/padded covers when trailering the rig at highway speeds. If it's outdoor storage it should be covered. My boat fortunately is garaged and only a short drive to the lake, so my cover is stored unless it's outside over night or long haul trips for all the reasons A-Jay listed. I have had road kill critters get flipped into the boat, owls at night, you name it the uncovered trailed boat tends to collect it.

Tom

[tcbass]

26 minutes ago, WRB said:

Glass boats and engine cowling can get severely wind damaged by poor fitting/padded covers when trailering the rig at highway speeds. If it's outdoor storage it should be covered. My boat fortunately is garaged and only a short drive to the lake, so my cover is stored unless it's outside over night or long haul trips for all the reasons A-Jay listed. I have had road kill critters get flipped into the boat, owls at night, you name it the uncovered trailed boat tends to collect it.

Tom

 

 

I have a custom cover from the previous owner, but not sure if it's custom enough for traveling without scratching the boat......bummer. I wonder if there is anyway to tell if it's good enough to travel at highway speeds with?

[WRB]

Check the cover for extra padding at the wear points like stern corners and bow tie downs or any loose cover areas that can flap in the wind. The straps can also be a problem, padded back pack pads can sometimes be used on the tie down straps where they contact the hull.

Tom