Boat Cover Recommendations wanted

[Gringo Pescador]

I want to get a cover for my sled. Any recommendations?

[Bodofish]

Eastside Tent and awning. They'll make a cover to fit your exact needs. In most cases cheaper than you can buy an off the shelf. Mine is going on 7 years now. I never go anywhere without it. Cover it all the way down to and around the chine. Everything will be clean when you get there.

[kodacachers]

I have a carver cover that I bought for Savvy Boater. It was made to fit my boat model. I bought the mid-priced material, a step down from sunbrella. Its a tough cover and came reinforced in all the rub spots (windshield, etc.). My only complaint is that it doesn't breathe very well--a hard ask in our environment.

[ridgeratt]

When I bought my Hewes it was without a top. Did some checking and found Weathermax. Built for the Military. Great stuff.

http://www.safetycomponents.com/WeatherMax/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gringo Pescador]

Thanks for the input guys, yeah it is a custom size and I haven't been able to find any standard covers that will work. I have no way to park it out of the elements right now so I want something that I can use to keep rain, leaves and crap out. It will also need to be able to breathe, as more times than not I'm fishing in the rain so the breathability is key.

I will check out Eastside Tent and Awning and see what they can do for me.

With the Weathermax, does that outfit just sell the materiel or do they make the covers?

[ResQ]

On my big crownline I used a guy from the crownline forum called Bald Mike. He has the best prices and the best material of your choice. I believe his website is baldmikes.com . On my new Lowe (16 foot ) I got the cabelas ratchet cover and it is fantastic as well! Giant motor cover and the ratchets in the rear really cinch the whole cover.

[kodacachers]

Supposedly the SunBrella fabric is the best combination of waterproof and breath-ability. I don't know from personal experience though. If I was buying again I'd spend the extra dough (and its a lot) for SunBrella--that's of course a brand name. I don't know if the same fabric properties are available under other brands.

[Bodofish]

My cover is Sunbrella and it's worked very well, only thing is you really need to wash and water proof treat it, each year. Especially if you use it for a tow cover, road grime is nasty. Not a big deal, just spread it out on a clean driveway and hit it with the soap and water and a hose. Hang it up to dry and hit it with the 303. The guys at Eastside will make the cover any way you want. For your application I would really suggest some stays so the top bows up a bit so the water runs off. They will also add really heavy material in the wear spots where ever you deem fit. Straps to hold it down to the trailer and have them run the straps all the way over the top for strength. I had just had them go a bit up each side to disperse the load but next time all the way. The most important thing is I would have the cover go all the way past the chine. And remember it's custom to it can be any way you want it. Of course you're always welcome to come over and check mine out if you want some ideas.

[ridgeratt]

I checked out both Sunbrella and Weathermax 80.

Here's what sold me on WeatherMax:

Now you can have protection from the elements and a quality, long lasting
appearance all in one. WeatherMax is designed to be water tight and breathable.
Our exclusive HydroMax™ finish delivers unsurpassed water repellency and mildew
resistance maintaining the fabric's natural breathability. Engineered for long-term color
and strength retention, WeatherMax® outperforms and outlasts other marine fabrics -
including acrylics and solution-dyed polyesters. This lightweight, easy-to-handle fabric is
unmatched in appearance and provides superior performance.


What Do You Mean, WeatherMax Is Guaranteed To 1500 Hours UV? How Long Will This Last?
1500 hours of UV refers to the number of hours WeatherMax is tested in an accelerated Weathering System exposed to all spectrum UV, in addition to water, and changes in temperature and humidity. 300 hours of exposure in one of these machines is the industry standard or equivalent of one year outdoors.
WeatherMax 80 comes with a limited warranty of 5 years (1500 hours).
WeatherMax LT comes with a limited warranty of 3 years (1000 hours).


What Does Solution Dyed Yarn Mean and How Does It Make An Outdoor Fabric Better?
A solution dyed yarn is a yarn where the color has been added into the polymer before it is extruded into a yarn form. Since the color is part of the polymer, the fade resistance of a solution dyed yarn is far superior to the fade resistance of package dyed yarn and piece dyed fabric. The solution dyed polymers in WeatherMax have been specially chosen for their unique ability to resist fading and retain fabric strength.

What Is the HydroMax™ Finish?
The HydroMax finish is a highly water repellent finish that gives WeatherMax the ability to protect against heavy rain while keeping its breathability and dimensional stability. The HydroMax finish is extremely durable, providing many positive benefits, such as breathability, resistance to mildew and dirt, and its ability to maintain a cooler temperature.

If your interested in it. A shop in Spokane sells it. I bought mine from a place in Texas along with the Heavy Vinyl for the windows.

[fishinChristian]

Been through several, and the custom ones are better and usually less expensive. We had our 20' boat covered (cat-proof) for a little over $250, and it's lasted 3x as long as the Cabelas one we had, with no sign of giving up. Plus they sculpted around the electric motor where the others you had to adapt as best you could.

[Fishman_Kuzan]

Been through several, and the custom ones are better and usually less expensive. We had our 20' boat covered (cat-proof) for a little over $250, and it's lasted 3x as long as the Cabelas one we had, with no sign of giving up. Plus they sculpted around the electric motor where the others you had to adapt as best you could.

Where did you have this done fishin? I have a Carver cover that covers my boat but I haven't been very satisfied with it for the price, it cost me around $250. It isn't custom like the other Carver mentioned and the material is very thin... it has been ripped and stretched in windy conditions on the corners and protruding parts of my boat (anchor guides, wind shield, bow mount, etc.). Weathermax sounds like the way to go, but I am curious about this custom job...

[Bodofish]

Been through several, and the custom ones are better and usually less expensive. We had our 20' boat covered (cat-proof) for a little over $250, and it's lasted 3x as long as the Cabelas one we had, with no sign of giving up. Plus they sculpted around the electric motor where the others you had to adapt as best you could.

Where did you have this done fishin? I have a Carver cover that covers my boat but I haven't been very satisfied with it for the price, it cost me around $250. It isn't custom like the other Carver mentioned and the material is very thin... it has been ripped and stretched in windy conditions on the corners and protruding parts of my boat (anchor guides, wind shield, bow mount, etc.). Weathermax sounds like the way to go, but I am curious about this custom job...

These guys do a lot of Jetboat covers and tops. I haven't had them do anything for me but they seem to be pretty popular with the river running guys.
http://coversyou.com/thecovershop/

[Gringo Pescador]

Got a quote from Eastside and talking to some outfits at the Portland Sportsman Show it is looking like they are right in line price wise. Because of the configuration on mine they are saying I am probably better off with a non-trailerable cover. The only thing I am not sure of is they can't show me any pics of a sled they have done like mine or give me any references.
Since I am waiting for my bonus I have only been communicating with them via email, once I have $$ in hand I will run down there and see if I can get a better feel for em.

[Bodofish]

Got a quote from Eastside and talking to some outfits at the Portland Sportsman Show it is looking like they are right in line price wise. Because of the configuration on mine they are saying I am probably better off with a non-trailerable cover. The only thing I am not sure of is they can't show me any pics of a sled they have done like mine or give me any references.
Since I am waiting for my bonus I have only been communicating with them via email, once I have $$ in hand I will run down there and see if I can get a better feel for em.

You can come by and check mine out anytime. It's seven years old and still going strong. I don't think you'd have any trouble trailering, especially if you had some stays put in so the top bows out/up a bit. Mine fills with air on the front and it goes out the back.

[fishinChristian]

Sorry. It was a few years back. Just now drove by to remember what it was called. http://www.chrisrecoveryshop.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They did a good job.

[Gringo Pescador]

Here is the end result, I am very happy with the work done at Eastside Tent & Awning! Thanks to all for your input!
I do have another question now. Since it is tight enough to be towed, should I keep a small fan or hang a worklight inside it? Something to keep the air moving or a little heat to keep moisture at bay?

[FishingFool]

That's a nice looking cover. If you don't mind me asking, how much? Do you have problems with water pooling in it yet?

I had a Cabelas cover on my boat. It lasted 2 yrs. Then I went and bought a cheapie off ebay. It's barely lasted a yr. The birds are destroying it. :(

[MarkFromSea]

Looks Good!

[ResQ]

Are there any vents in it? I'd say as long as you keep the front up and keep it somewhat supported so snow and rain just roll off you'd be just fine! I also would like to know the cost. Is it completely custom? My sharkskin from bald mikes on my 26' Crownline ran me 450$ and everywhere else is 900+! Just crazy. Looks sharp!

[Gringo Pescador]

He quoted me $1,100 and it was just over $1,300.00 (I ok'ed some over run on the price).

Because of the size of the boat it took 20 yards of Sunbrella to cover it. It is completely custom. I droppped the boat off at his shop last Saturday and picked it up this Saurday. When I dropped it off we spent easily an hour just discussing what I want and what he could do for me. Originally I was ok with non Trailerable covers on the motors, he was able to secure them to be trailerable. Also originally there was not going to be a cover on the anchor. They had enough extra fabric he went ahead and did it also. When I picked it up, again no hurry, we spent a good hour again just going over it.

There are three fiberglass slats (2"wide x 1/4" thick) with little mounts on each side that they set into. For the front where we couldn't put the mounts there is a single spring loaded tent pole with a snap on top that snaps to the cover so no slippage. There is an extra layer of reinforcement at every rub point and corner (including along both sides). there is also a sewn in gutter system at the back so all of the water doesn't just roll off into the motors but gets directed to the sides.
The motor covers are separate pieces as well as the anchor cover so if I don't want em on, not a problem. There is also a sinch rope sewn into the edge of the entire cover, so once you have it on and strapped, you pull the sinch tight and tie it off and it's not going anywhere which also helps with any part of it flapping in the wind.

Because the front is still fairly flat he suggested I raise the front a little which I do anyway so that is not a big deal. With all of the rain we have been having there is no pooling whatsoever, even the little sleet/snow we had over the weekend slid right off. He said the fabric will stretch a little the 1st time it gets wet and I went out Sunday and did sinch each strap about 1/2 - 1". The water beads up as if it were wax, it's pretty cool to see, like these dime size crystals rolling off the boat. He said after awhile (a year or so) the water will stop beading, but will still not leak, once that happens they have some treatment that you spray on that re-proofs the cover (so about $30 a year).

There are no "vents" so to speak there are gaps around the engine though, that is why I am thinking a shoplight or a fan (or both) just to keep the air moving inside.

He said if I treat it when the water stops beading, he thinks it should last 10-12 years.