Trailering/storage covers for jon boats

[Ilira]

Hi-- I'm in the process of buying a leftover Lund jon boat and have been looking for a trailering/storage cover with no luck. I called Lund and they don't make covers for their jon boats. They referred me to Dowco who tells me they don't make covers for ANY Lund boats. I tried the iboats cover finder and my model (U1756VSE) isn't there though there's a U1752VCD. I'm in the process of trying to contact iboat's supplier (they closed early today) about that but this difficulty in finding something raises the question of what others do. Do you jon boat owners not cover your boats? Or do you simply buy generic covers based on, what, centerline length and max width (and anything sticking up like a console windshield)? Or do you find it better to have a custom cover made at a local shop?

[Silvertip]

The real creative ones make their own covers -- whether Jon boat or not. Any canvas shop can make a custom for you as well.

[tashasdaddy]

walmart blue tarp, makes the best. allows air circulation. couple of pieces of 3/4 pvc, make a tent frame

[Ilira]

Thanks for the replies, especially the photo! I called a local boat canvas shop and the quote for a custom one is $480 - $520. I like the PVC frame and blue-tarp idea for storage and will keep looking for a semi-custom travel cover for trips (I travel 15-20K miles per year).

[Silvertip]

At the distances you travel, you would be well advised to have a custom cover made. Ensure the maker knows about the distances so they can reinforce areas that are stressed. A poorly fitted cover is its own worst enemy at highway speeds as it will simply flap itself to shreds. Spend the money -- you won't be sorry.

[bruceb58]

Silvertip made a nice cover for his boat. I make my own covers too. He and I do disagree on the material type to use.

I like Sunbrella. It will last over 10 years if kept clean. Dirt is an enemy of woven fabrics because it acts like sand paper when it is in within the fibers.

I have seen too many boats get ruined when they use the blue tarp method. It is not the tarp per se but the fact that they deteriorate so fast that if they aren't caught in time, water gets in and sits causeing rot and mold.

Regarding price of covers, a good portion of the price is labor. Going with a better fabric will increase the cost but usually well worth it. If you buy the prefit covers, the labor cost will be lower becasue most are made overseas but they won't last as long because of the fabric quality.

[tashasdaddy]

my blue traps last usually 2 years, the gray/silver last 6 months. of course i don't have snow load. just pull tight and the rain runs right off.