While boat covers are available in several colors, black is usually the most preferred. This is because mold and mildew are less likely to develop under a black cover.
Just placing the cover over the boat might not be sufficient enough to protect it. Boat cover fasteners play an important role as they ensure that it fits snugly to the vessel.
Any random cover won’t work for your boat. In fact, it’s the costliest mistake that you can make. The right boat cover should fit snugly, and be made for the exact year, model, and manufacturer of your boat.
Buying a tight fit boat cover doesn’t mean it should be too tight. According to the experts, while a boat cover should fit snugly to keep out water and debris, it is crucial to allow some room for airflow.
“Thoughts will change and shift just like the wind and the water when you're on the boat; thoughts are no different than anything else.” - Jeff Bridges
Do not let water, snow, or debris sit on the boat cover for a long time. The use of a y-strap support system or support poles will help prevent this and allow water to drain off the cover.
You don't have to settle for a mass-produced boat cover. You can get an affordable customized cover which is fitted to the specifications of your boat.
Why should you cover your boat? Waterproof boat covers give you peace of mind by protecting your costly investment. They give you an assurance that your boat is safe from water damage while it’s in storage.
What is the role of ventilation ports on boat covers? These vents allow air to flow through them, thereby preventing moisture build-up. While some vents are sewn directly into the fabric, others mount directly to the pole of tented boat covers.
It’s recommended to buy a boat cover within 1-3 days of purchasing your boat. Never allow more than a week to pass without a cover as mold and mildew can grow quickly.
“Being on a boat that's moving through the water, it's so clear. Everything falls into place in terms of what's important and what's not.” - James Taylor
Leaves falling into a boat are a pain to clean out, and when they rot, they encourage the growth and spread of mold and mildew. A boat cover is a perfect remedy for this.
How long do boat covers last? If the boat cover fits snugly and you are cleaning it regularly, it can last up to 5 years.
What can happen if your boat cover doesn’t fit right? If your boat cover doesn’t ft snugly, water and debris will get inside your vessel and damage it.
How often should you clean your boat cover? A boat cover should be cleaned every 8-10 months or as required using a solution of mild soap and lukewarm water. Rinse the cover thoroughly and allow it to air dry.
The electrical wiring and cables in your boat are a perfect treat for rodents, and these creatures can severely damage your vessel. A boat cover that fits well can help keep them out.
If your boat is going into storage for a while and you don’t have an appropriate cover for it, something you can opt for is shrink wrap. However, going this route does carry a disadvantage as you cannot access the interior of the craft without destroying the covering.
Your boat is a major investment so you’re going to want to protect it from unnecessary wear. One of the best ways to do this would be to invest in a synthetic, UV-resistant cover that’s tailored to fit the craft precisely.
If you park your boat outdoors during the off-season, it’s very important that you keep it securely covered. As such, you’re going to want to have a custom cover that’s made to follow every contour of your craft precisely.
If you haul your trailered boat at highway speeds, you’re going to want a boat cover that has high tensile strength and abrasion resistance. When secured properly, such a cover will provide your craft with a great deal of protection should debris fly into it.
If your boat has special features or has a non-standard design, you may have a hard time finding an off-the-shelf cover for it. Therefore, you will probably need to have a custom cover made to ensure that a precise fit is achieved.
To protect your day cruiser’s expensive electronics gear, it would be wise to keep it covered when the boat is parked. Not only will a cover provide protection from the elements, it will also protect the craft from prying eyes that may take interest in your equipment.
If you’d rather keep UV away from your boat’s interior while you’re using it, you may want to consider a UV resistant bimini top. This type of cover doesn’t only shield your upholstery and instrumentation; it also provides effective shade for the occupants of the craft.
While a boat cover should be water-repellent, it should also be breathable enough to let any moisture trapped in the craft escape. Using a cover that doesn’t allow for this isn’t advisable as mildew might start to propagate throughout the boat’s interior.
When it’s time to get your boat in the water again, it would be a good idea to take the cover and give it a good cleaning. This is particularly true if the craft has been kept outdoors as there will most likely be a lot of dirt, dust, and bird droppings on its surface.
While a boat cover should never fit too snugly, it should also never be too loose. A too-tight cover will be very hard to put on and secure and will be prone to damage. A loose cover, on the other hand, will flap in the wind and will allow water to pool.
The sun can do quite a number on your boat’s exposed surfaces so it’s important to keep it protected whenever you can. A UV-resistant boat cover, in particular, will go a long way in preventing needless wear so it is something that’s worth investing in.
One important consideration when choosing a boat cover is the number of tie-downs built-in. Ideally, there should be enough to keep the cover securely fastened to the boat especially if you tow it at highway speeds.
If you’re going with a dyed acrylic fabric for your boat cover, you’re going to want to choose a color that’s pretty dark. Apparently, the darker the shade of the fabric, the more UV protection it affords so this is something to keep in mind when you make your selection.
While your boat is in storage, it would be a good idea to give the cover a cleaning every now and then. A light brushing, in particular, will help a lot as any dust, debris, and organic material that may have built up on the cover’s surface will be eliminated.
If you’ve had special features installed or built into your boat, a universal boat cover may no longer fit as well as you’d like. As such, you will need to have a bespoke cover tailored to ensure that it will fit correctly and thus provide adequate protection.
Before you start towing your boat home, it’s very important to ensure that its cover is fastened securely. Should it come loose while you’re barreling down the highway, it could quite possibly fly off the boat, wrap around someone’s vehicle, and cause a serious accident.
When shopping for a boat cover, it’s important to choose one made with synthetic fabrics. Typically, coated synthetics are the best choice for such applications as they’re tough, water-repellent, breathable, and offer effective UV protection.
When choosing a boat cover, it’s important to know your boat’s precise measurements. Overall length (end to end), beam (width at widest point), and deck structures (e.g. windshields, consoles), in particular, should be taken into account as these will help determine the cover’s dimensions.
Aside from fitting correctly, your boat cover should also be able to withstand the elements. As such, the correct fabric must be used to ensure that your craft gets the proper protection UV, weather, and moisture protection that it needs.
Your watercraft represents a serious expense so you will need to ensure that it lasts. Some ways to do this would be to keep up with any required maintenance and to obtain the necessary protective equipment that will minimize its exposure to the elements.
If your boat’s cover is a little too snug, you may want to replace it with something more appropriate. Forcing the issue can be a bad thing as the fasteners attached to your boat may suffer damage from excessive tension.
If your boat is parked outdoors, one thing that you will need to do is to keep it securely covered. Doing this will not only keep the craft’s interior clean, it will also protect the finish from the elements and keep prying eyes away.
If your boat is tied up at the pier, it would be good to consider even partial protection for it. A console cover, in particular, will be very useful as it will keep the sensitive instruments in the deck helm station protected from UV and salt exposure.
If you don’t have a boat cover and are in hurry to put your craft in storage, the best thing to do would be to get a universal one. However, such a cover may not fit as precisely as you’d like so you should ensure that it is tied down as securely as possible.
If you can’t have a boat cover custom made, your next best option would be to buy something off the shelf. However, before you do so, you’ll need to take careful measurements first so that the dealer can find you the closest fit.
Before you put your boat away for winter, it’s very important to clean it as thoroughly as you can. You should also give it a few hours under the sun to ensure that no moisture gets trapped when you put the cover on.
