Bass Boat Cover for Winter Storage

[crankbank]

Hi Everyone,

 

 

I have had my boat wrapped in the past but am planning on buying a cover for storage this winter. I have a Nitro Z6 (17'4 is the length I think) and looking at some reviews online I think my best bet may be to get the StormPro cover for 17'-19'L boats (versus one that is a little cheaper for boats 16'-18.5'L).

  

I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with these covers? Are there better values out there? It will primarily be used for winter storage in the Northeast, and not so much for traveling. Also, is it worth it to buy a cover for the outboard motor too?

  

Any info is much appreciated! 

[slonezp]

My .02 Don't have experience with that particular brand. I did buy a Cabelas brand cover earlier this year for a temporary cover after my stock cover tore and I was having a custom cover made. Universal covers are just universal. They really don't fit well. The elastic edging makes it a bit tedious to install the cover on the boat and a bear to fold up. The universal cover does not breathe. No vents or openings to allow a wet boat to dry. You risk mold/mildew forming. So, if it's just for winter storage, maybe not a horrible option. If its for year round storage while boat is being used, you'd be better off dropping some coin and getting a factory or custom cover. As far as covering the motor. I've never done it in 20+ years of boat ownership and my boats have all been stored outside year round.  

[crankbank]

12 hours ago, slonezp said:

My .02 Don't have experience with that particular brand. I did buy a Cabelas brand cover earlier this year for a temporary cover after my stock cover tore and I was having a custom cover made. Universal covers are just universal. They really don't fit well. The elastic edging makes it a bit tedious to install the cover on the boat and a bear to fold up. The universal cover does not breathe. No vents or openings to allow a wet boat to dry. You risk mold/mildew forming. So, if it's just for winter storage, maybe not a horrible option. If its for year round storage while boat is being used, you'd be better off dropping some coin and getting a factory or custom cover. As far as covering the motor. I've never done it in 20+ years of boat ownership and my boats have all been stored outside year round.  

I appreciate the input! Thank you.

[Joseph B.]

I can relate to Crank bait's comments

 I have owned three boats, first one with a universal cover, and two with custom fit covers. The universal covers are junk for the most part and ditto to Crank bait's comment about hard to fold up.y current boat cover is almost 20 years old, same age as boat and has no holes or tears, separated seams, etc I like the design as it has reinforced sections where the cover meets the WT windshields, front point of bow and corners of the stern. It also does not fit all the way back allowing for ventilation. Have motor cover just to keep it clean.

[A-Jay]

Went the factory route with boat cover and an after market company for the motor & Talons covers.

https://www.tuffskinz.net/

 Having the proper fit everywhere allows the flexibility to use it for both storage & travel.  

A-Jay

 

 

[slonezp]

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Went the factory route with boat cover and an after market company for the motor & Talons covers.

https://www.tuffskinz.net/

 Having the proper fit everywhere allows the flexibility to use it for both storage & travel.  

A-Jay

 

 

I hope yours lasts longer than mine did. 4-1/2 years in my eyes is too short a time. My Mirrocraft had a custom cover from day 1 and aside from a few patches over the years and having to spray it with Camp Dry periodically, it was still strong and pliable when I sold the boat 9 years later. The Lund cover was still water proof after 4-1/2 years but dry rotted from the sun. My new custom cover has a 7 year material warranty against the elements.

[A-Jay]

5 hours ago, slonezp said:

I hope yours lasts longer than mine did. 4-1/2 years in my eyes is too short a time. My Mirrocraft had a custom cover from day 1 and aside from a few patches over the years and having to spray it with Camp Dry periodically, it was still strong and pliable when I sold the boat 9 years later. The Lund cover was still water proof after 4-1/2 years but dry rotted from the sun. My new custom cover has a 7 year material warranty against the elements.

I am fortunate in that I am able to store the Lund indoors.

So the only time the boat or the cover see the elements is to & from and on the water.  

This cover is really quite stout and although anything can happen I am expecting this one to last the life of the vessel or at least as long as I am the owner / operator.

The after market covers seem to be the same high quality.

 

A-Jay

[Further North]

On 12/2/2017 at 10:21 AM, A-Jay said:

I am fortunate in that I am able to store the Lund indoors.

So the only time the boat or the cover see the elements is to & from and on the water.  

This cover is really quite stout and although anything can happen I am expecting this one to last the life of the vessel or at least as long as I am the owner / operator.

The after market covers seem to be the same high quality.

 

A-Jay

That's where I am with mine, also a custom cover from the boat mfr.  I keep the boat indoors, so the cover is only on for long trips.

 

My boat is an 2005, cover still in great shape...but a couple of caveats:

 

1. Boat was bought new and stored indoors until 2013 when I bought it, virtually unused.
2. Cover was still sealed in the bag when I bought the boat...so it's really only got four seasons of long trips on it.

That said...if our circumstances changed today, I'd still cough up the cash for the custom cover.  I've had the generic ones in the past and there's no comparison.  Fits like a glove, goes on (and comes off) in minutes, reinforced where it needs to be, specific to my boat, fits around the splash well in the back so that can catch rain and drain...

 

Yeah...they're expensive.  But so's the boat it's protecting.