New boat cover-boat very wet inside!!

rothfm · #1 April 7th, 2009, 12:55 AM

Any Cover pros out there? sorry for the book, my wife says I talk too much!

I finally purchased Boat cover...My last post was for help "shopping" for one...But sad to say I need to inquire again about the new one LEAKING

Its been on the boat one day, went on dry now its pouring today.

Its a tie down trailer type on my open Dual Console 21'. Ok, Now that I've crawled in to see exactly what is going on with my new cover.....Its not just leaking at seams or stress points as I thought it might be. The entire underside of "ALL" areas of the fabric is wet. It then beads on the underside, then drips.....Just about all over.

Is this normal for what I thought was a decent cover? Its a Brand-New ProBass Shop "STEARNS" brand "stormpro" 600 Dernier poly cover. No Pooling and good fit. Its pretty taught, and I have the Trailer tongue raised very high, There is no pooling at all. Today it poured and I watched the cover carefully. At first it beaded up really well. But over time, in areas, I could tell the material "darkened" with moisture and didnt appear to be beading.

I know these are not high dollar custom covers, but Geeze! $200--Brand new and my entire boat inside is drenched? Will some water proofer applied truely help? Or should I take it back and try some other brand or material? I'm a long time boater but this is my first top. Take that Back--I Made one awhile back for my smaller boat, and that fabric was very waterproof. But I dont want to spend a month at the sewing machine again.

Anyone cover experienced have any thoughts?..Apply Waterproofer, or try another cover?

I just spend hours reading waterproofer posts, and looking at mfg websites. I'm leaning on trying one of them. I really like the fit, and look of this cover on my boat...Bummer.

Most appreciated.

Mark

zach103 · #2 April 7th, 2009, 01:03 AM

take it back.. get your money back

rentprop1 · #3 April 7th, 2009, 01:04 AM

maybe you have it on wrong side out ?? and the repellent is on the underside ??

bhammer · #4 April 7th, 2009, 01:23 AM

I went through the same issues with my last boat. Bought a cover for it from Bass Pro Shops, put it on and the next rain, it did the same thing. When I talked to the BPS folks, they said that is because it breaths and water can eventually seep through. Bought some water repel in a spray bottle. That helped but would need reapplied every couple of months to keep it dry.

With my new boat, i bought a Westland sharkskin cover with a vent support. Of course, it was a lot more expensive than the BPS cover but it doesn't leak. I sprayed it with my hose for 30 minutes, then left the garden sprinkler on it for another hour. Completely dry inside. I have to say that I am impressed with Westland too. When I installed the cover, I noticed that there wasn't any reinforcements for the bow cleats. I emailed them and they are sending me the stuff to have it added. They even said that I could ship them the cover and they would sew them in for me. I will take to a canvas shop and have it done while keeping my warranty.

bhile · #5 April 7th, 2009, 01:47 AM

If you read the fine print a lot of those covers say "water repellent" and not "water proof". I went thru that to and wound up paying a lot more for one that was water proof.

cr2k · #6 April 7th, 2009, 03:36 AM

Most boats now days are shipped in shrink wrap. Check with your local boat dealer he may save them. Some do and some dont. You would then use your tight fabric cover as support for the shrink cover. You can put grommets in the plastic cover or use the poly tarp fasteners (kinda like a garter and stocking clip). Then you have both a shade, sun, dust cover and a rain cover. I do wonder if the moisture is from water wicking thru the fabric or condensation form moisture in the boat. You might a try a vent. As you said it was wet all over the bottom I am suspecting condensation.

krakatoa · #7 April 7th, 2009, 09:48 AM

Cmon guys!, a boat cover is to maintain water and dirt OUT! My friend, send your cover and ask for a refund....

Silvertip · #8 April 7th, 2009, 09:55 AM

I also agree that some of the problem is due to condensation. $200 is not alot to pay for a cover. Some materials serve more as a sun shade than to repel water. Spraying the cover with a silicone tent water proofer will help, especially the seams.

rrhodes · #9 April 7th, 2009, 10:03 AM

Take it back.... Spend a little more money on a good cover. It is a small price to pay to protect your investment.

cranksbait · #10 April 7th, 2009, 10:11 AM

Take it back for sure. I bought a Hurricane cover from Canadian Tire for less than $200.00. I left my boat out in the torrential downpour for three days and my boat was bone dry. Until I slipped and dumped the pooled water into the boat. I've had this cover for over a year and it has never failed me. I even left my boat out exposed all last winter with just this on it.

Wassachu · #11 April 7th, 2009, 10:21 AM

I had the same problem years ago. I tried spraying water repellent it but that slowed the leaks down but didn't stop it. After awhile green things started growing inside the boat. It stayed wet too long. No air circulation. Take it back before you have bigger problems. I went to a cheap tarp to cover the boat. This gave me protection from the sun and debris but some moisture still got through. There was enough air circulation that the boat dried out quickly after the rains stopped. As long as I kept the tounge high and plug out, water didn't fill the boat. The cover had to be replaced after two seasons.

Mark42 · #12 April 7th, 2009, 04:19 PM

A good tarp is considerably less than the custom fit boat covers, and do not leak. A tarp, a few tarp clips, and a set of bungie cords and a PVC pipe frame will keep the boat dry.

Expidia · #13 April 7th, 2009, 04:28 PM

Take it back. Most online shops are now carrying a lot of crap from China yet under brand names.

A cheap tarp from Harbor freight will do a better job then the one you have.

Buy a decent cover (check iboats) and if it does not come with the two poles and vents put them in yourself. These are cheap and easy to install in any cover. They circulate the air and prevent mildew and mold.

Biggems · #14 April 7th, 2009, 04:44 PM

I recently bought a cheapo boat cover from Walmart for $60 and it's held up great. After our last big rain, I went out to check on the boat and the frame I had rigged under the cover had collapsed, so there were two huge pools of water. I emptied the water then took the cover off and checked the boat. It was bone dry!

You can get a good cover without getting your wallet raped. I used a tarp before the cover and it worked well but I couldn't get one that was the right size to make it taught all the way around.

If there is alot of humidity where you are, condesation would be the best explanation besides that cover sucks.

graydawg · #15 April 7th, 2009, 04:52 PM

I had a shoremaster on my yarcraft and it held up great during the 3 years I had the boat. Bought another when I traded boats and I thought the price was reasonable.

rothfm · #16 April 8th, 2009, 09:51 AM

Thanks everyone for the input. Its definetly just seeping through the material. I"m going to take it back to PBS today and order either the SharkSkin by Westland or the Endura by Carver off the iboats site and they that.