$25 tarp vs $500 cover

[ricohman]

I still can't help but feel I wasted $500 on a cover that won't keep rain out of my new boat. I tried to treat it with Nikwax which was expensive (and not very effective) but in the end this is what I am doing.

This cheap $25 dollar tarp and $10 worth of cheap bungies is covering my cover and keeps 100% of the rain out. All the cover does is keep the tarp from scuffing the paint.
The tarp doesn't breath and I can remove it when its not raining but this isn't a concern as the boat is being used on the nice days.
Any reason I can't use a poly/cotton blankets to cover the hard points and keep using the $25 tarps?
I may even spring for the $40 deluxe tarp and $30 for the heavy duty flat adjustable bungies. That would make it $70 total which is still $430 less than the cover!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

I'd at least add some vents to the tarp unless you are planning on taking the tarp off every day, you are going to get moisture in there and create a terarrium. But you paid $$$$$$ for the boat, why cheap out on a proper cover?

Also - do you ever have to leave it in the water over night? If so then your tarp isn't going to work for that.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

What kind of cover did you get that didn't keep out the rain? I bought a nice WestLand Sharkskin Supreme SD cover and it keeps every bit of rain out of the boat. Paid around $400 on iBoats on sale

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

When I used to store outside in the winter months I would use two of the cheap tarps and not stress out my sunbrella boat cover (and I used to pitch a steep roof using the tarps). Hey if a $25 tarp helps save the boat and you do have a cover it is added protection.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

When I used to store outside in the winter months I would use two of the cheap tarps and not stress out my sunbrella boat cover (and I used to pitch a steep roof using the tarps). Hey if a $25 tarp helps save the boat and you do have a cover it is added protection.

When you did that was air able to flow between the cover and the tarp, so that it was effectively vented? Around here you get a lot of rotten, moldy, stinky boats from people tarping up a boat solidly and then sticking it outside all winter.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

Buy one of those temporary garages made of PVC pipe.

 

[ricohman]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

I'd at least add some vents to the tarp unless you are planning on taking the tarp off every day, you are going to get moisture in there and create a terarrium. But you paid $$$$$$ for the boat, why cheap out on a proper cover?

Also - do you ever have to leave it in the water over night? If so then your tarp isn't going to work for that.

The boat is never in the water overnight. And If I do an over night trip the boat has a full fishermans top that I keep on board.
I know a proper cover is going to cost at least 1K. But there are no companies near me that make them.

 

[ricohman]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

What kind of cover did you get that didn't keep out the rain? I bought a nice WestLand Sharkskin Supreme SD cover and it keeps every bit of rain out of the boat. Paid around $400 on iBoats on sale

This is an iboats Aqua Shield which is made by Carver. I don't know if there was a sharkskin for my boat but either way this boat is high and over 22ft long so the cover gets expensive.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

$25 tarp is probably the worst thing you can do for your boat in the long run. If you don't like your boat much then the $25 cover is fine.

I make boat covers using Sunbrella and have made many covers over the years for others as well. Personally, I believe sharkskin is not a great choice in material because it doesn't breather well enough.

The cover on my boat that I made is 10 years old and still looks like new. It doesn't wear the fiberglass out where it rubs against it like a tarp cover does. It lets the inside breathe. Lets no rain water in either and the cover is fitted tight so wind does not affect it at all. If you get a custom cover made for your boat, this is what you get.

Ricohman, do your self a huge favor and store your sterndrive in the down position.

 

[dmoriarty51]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

This is an iboats Aqua Shield which is made by Carver. I don't know if there was a sharkskin for my boat but either way this boat is high and over 22ft long so the cover gets expensive.

was it a custom fit? if so how well does it fit?

 

[ricohman]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

$25 tarp is probably the worst thing you can do for your boat in the long run. If you don't like your boat much then the $25 cover is fine.

I make boat covers using Sunbrella and have made many covers over the years for others as well. Personally, I believe sharkskin is not a great choice in material because it doesn't breather well enough.

The cover on my boat that I made is 10 years old and still looks like new. It doesn't wear the fiberglass out where it rubs against it like a tarp cover does. It lets the inside breathe. Lets no rain water in either and the cover is fitted tight so wind does not affect it at all. If you get a custom cover made for your boat, this is what you get.

Ricohman, do your self a huge favor and store your sterndrive in the down position.

That is a nice cover. Just as a thought....what would a custom Sunbrella cover cost for a 22.5 ft high profile boat with bow rails? You can pm me if you want.
I know I have to lower the outdrive a few inches but the drive is steep so it can't be let down all the way. Maybe 40%.

 

[ricohman]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

was it a custom fit? if so how well does it fit?

Its not a custom fit but it fits well and is well supported.

 

[tswiczko]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

I'm with Bob_VT.
You can build a frame from pvc or out of wood that will raise the tarp off of the boat allowing for air flow, and still keep the rain out and prevent sun damage..and will also prevent situations like this

But you'll probably only get a year or two out of the tarp

 

[bruceb58]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

Its not a custom fit but it fits well and is well supported.

That looks like a pretty nice cover. If it gets dips in it due to rain, it would be simple to have extra tied downs added to it to help you out. You can also have reinforcements added to any sharp points too.

Your boat is WAY to nice to be going the tarp route. Maybe if you had some 20 year old boat that wasn't worth much anyway. Plus your neighbors are going to hate you if you go with a tarp.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

That is a nice cover. Just as a thought....what would a custom Sunbrella cover cost for a 22.5 ft high profile boat with bow rails? You can pm me if you want.
I know I have to lower the outdrive a few inches but the drive is steep so it can't be let down all the way. Maybe 40%.

If you take whatever is under the tongue jack and wind the jack down you should have enough room to get the drive all the way down. Down will really give your bellows a longer life.

 

[ricohman]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

If you take whatever is under the tongue jack and wind the jack down you should have enough room to get the drive all the way down. Down will really give your bellows a longer life.

The boat should be stored slightly nose up in order for the water to drain out. And without the tarp over the cover there is a lot of water draining after it rains.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

I've been using the tarps for the past 12 yrs. I bought a real nice custom fit cover for my boat when it bought new, $300 worth of custom cover. It only lasted 2 years in the hot Alabama sun, so I started buying the tarps. I use 2 at a time, one over the other.

I only have 8 bungees on this tarp right now and it cinches down this tight. I don't have to worry about a thunderstorm blowing it off... and if I put 8 more bungees on it it'll take a 4" snow load, but we haven't had 4" of snow in the past 10 yrs.

One $20 tarp lasts 6 mo. in the 'Bama sun and that's a lot cheaper than $300 in 2 yrs. It may not be the prettiest thing in the world, but my 14 yr. old floatation foam is bone dry.

 

[cr2k]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

One word CATS. Won't get in with a custom made.
If you go with a tarp cover the deck with Kitty Litter. It will not only keep your boat dry but it will, also, be easier to clean up after the cat.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

I'm a tarp fan!

 

[oldjeep]

Re: $25 tarp vs $500 cover

One word CATS. Won't get in with a custom made.
If you go with a tarp cover the deck with Kitty Litter. It will not only keep your boat dry but it will, also, be easier to clean up after the cat.

Seriously? If I were having a problem with roaming cats getting into/on my boat I think I'd come up with a more permanent solution than giving them a comfortable place to take a leak.