Boat Cover ... Cotton or Polyester?

[VanillaGorilla]

Just bought a boat ... now I am looking at covers. Some are cotton, some polyester, some cotton/poly mix. Any opinions on which material is best for durability/life and best bang for buck? Thanks!

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Boat Cover ... Cotton or Polyester?

Depends on how you're gonna use it. Storage only, trailering, outdoors un-/protected, hostile environment etc.<br /><br />I got a 'Silver Poly' universal fit that is lose enough to wave a little in the wind and help ventilation - which may otherwise be a problem with poly covers.<br /><br />Some covers have ventilation openings or they can be purchased extra. Ventilaton is very important!

 

[airman]

Re: Boat Cover ... Cotton or Polyester?

Sunbrella's good stuff - acrylic. My wife has repaired lots of Sunbrella that is over 10 years old. For storage only, Zues is very good, and a bit cheaper. The US Navy uses it. Get a good cover, they easily pay for themselves.

 

[dkwalker]

Re: Boat Cover ... Cotton or Polyester?

I had a cover that was cotton duck (aka:canvas). It was very heavy, and therefore a bear to deal with. I won't be having another one of those.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Boat Cover ... Cotton or Polyester?

Cotton Duck good for two years if you store it out in the rain and sun then it ripes to peices.<br />Sunbrella Cost more but has a 5 year Warranty and Last 8 to 10 years out in the sun and rain.<br />If you get Sunbrella make sure they do not sew it with cotton thread or after two years you will have to sow it again. On my second Sunbrella cover I paid $5 more for a thread that is to last the life of the cover or they re do for Free. So far alter 6 years still fine.

 

[NCOffSeason]

Re: Boat Cover ... Cotton or Polyester?

I bought a Sharkskin custom cover from here @ iBoats and I could not be happier. The cover fits like a glove, is light and easy to install and looks fantastic. It is also very waterproof. I think $250 for a cover is expensive, but to protect your boating investment, it's cheap. I am glad I have it.

 

[MFG197]

Re: Boat Cover ... Cotton or Polyester?

I had a sunbrella cover on my first boat 19'BR and kept it in the water. The sunbrella seemed to be a different size every day. I always had to adjust the poles and mess with it. I then replaced it with a Top Gun (vinyl like cover) and I couldn't have been happier.<br /><br />Held up very well.<br /><br />On my next boat I had a TopGun cover made right off the bat. Can't say enough good about it. I always goes on easy no matter the weather or temp.<br /><br />I spent over $500 on each cover, so $250 seems cheap. I think it's worth it, unless you keep it indoors all the time. When your boat is moored, you need a dependable cover. When you keep your boat on a trailer, maybe you can get away with one of those covers that comes in a box.<br /><br />also venting is very important, I have vents over each pole, which also holds the pole in place and keeps water out.

 

[BillP]

Re: Boat Cover ... Cotton or Polyester?

Cottom breaths the most which helps prevent condensation/mildew. Even when treated it will not stay 100% waterproof (rain) after a few months of exposure. If it stays wet it will rot just like wood. If it stays dry it will last forever...sunlight will not bother it. Use it where you can keep it dry most of the time. Heavy "truckers" weight cotton is THE best material for towing because it won't flutter and damage the finish. <br /><br />Sunbrella (acrylic) is not 100% waterproof but close if you keep it stretched tight. It breaths but won't wick moisture out like cotton. It won't rot from mildew or fungus. Ultraviolet rays eat it but like already posted you can get 6-8 yrs in direct sunlight (as in Florida sun)with no problem...I've seen plenty last 10+ yrs. Dacron thread is common but will not swell when wet and you can have seam leakage at the thread holes. The way around this is to use cotton cored dac thread. Dacron gives strength and the cotton core swells to seal the needle punchure holes. This practice is common in the marine canvas trade but not known by the avg consumer. Depending on the quality of work and thread size you should get a minimum of 5 yrs on any dacron thread before it starts to degrade. Best thread size is 138 but V92 (smaller)is quite acceptable. If the canvas maker uses anything less he is lazy, cheap or has the wrong sewing machine for commercial work. There is a "lifetime" thread available but is overkill for most applications in my humble opinion...it is pricey and you won't find it in the avg canvas shop. Restitching is no big deal and any canvas shop can restitch a 25' full boat cover in an hr or so. <br /><br />The other plastic or coated types are the best for water proofing but don't breath easy and condensation/mildew can be a problem. Proper venting helps. These get stiff or just degrade from sunlight. Weblon is the one of the best and lasts 5 yrs in direct light before it gets "crackable". These waterproof types are generally used for bimini tops and small accessory covers.<br /><br />Best construction practices on any are doubled/trippled seams and stitching, spur grommets and boltropes.