buying a full mooring cover from online seller: Q's

[waterwurld]

1994 SeaRay bowrider I/O -Signature Edition, kept on a lift in upstate NY with a full cover strapped down to the lift -no trailering.
Original bimini top and bow cover are Sunbrella and EC, Royal Blue color.
Looking at two online cover sellers: boatcoversdirect.com and covercraft.com.
Q's:
At Boatcoversdirect, the Carver SunDURA cover is approx $450 less than the Sunbrella/Outdura cover. Sunbrella is #1 -but is it worth +$450?
Sunbrella vs. Outdura: A "covid-related supply issues" note says the fabric will be Sunbrella OR Outdura. I prefer Sunbrella b/c that's what I have -should I care which fabric is used?

covercraft.com sells a Sunbrella/Outdura cover Styled-To-Fit virtually every style of boat that appears to be same quality at 1/3 the price of boatcoversdirect's Custom Sunbrella/Outdura. Is the only difference between these covers Custom fit vs Generic fit?
Do poles and tie-down straps normally address any adjustment needed for generic covers? The "Styled-To-Fit" Sunbrella/Outdura cover seems to be the best deal IF the same quality as the custom cover and can be expected to fit OK.

I'd pay the Carver Custom cover $$$ -IF good reason to.
Hope to make a decision then shop for a Black Friday deal.
Interested in any experience/comments/perspective -
Thanks for your time!

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would contact the local canvas/upholstery shop and have them quote it.

 

[waterwurld]

I would contact the local canvas/upholstery shop and have them quote it.

Scott, thanks for your reply-
I assume that a local shop needs the boat to form/fit the cover(?)
Boat is >2hr away, in winter storage at a marina (and no shops near there).
Also, tow vehicle is OK for the couple miles to launch/haul out, but not for a long haul.

 

[JimS123]

I have bought several covers from Carver. A custom cover for the specific boat model would be my choice over the styled-to-fit version.

I have some canvas in Sunbrella, but IMHO that SunDURA is hard to beat.

If Carver carried the model I need, I would buy it in a heartbeat. If not, then I would go to a local canvas shop.

 

[waterwurld]

I have bought several covers from Carver. A custom cover for the specific boat model would be my choice over the styled-to-fit version.

I have some canvas in Sunbrella, but IMHO that SunDURA is hard to beat.

If Carver carried the model I need, I would buy it in a heartbeat. If not, then I would go to a local canvas shop.

Jim, thanks for your reply-
You think SunDURA is hard to beat -is this based on the price/value vs Sunbrella? Can you please elaborate on this?
Based on everything I've seen, Sunbrella is the best fabric.

boatcoversdirect.com sells SunDURA and Sunbrella Carver custom covers.

 

[JimS123]

Jim, thanks for your reply-
You think SunDURA is hard to beat -is this based on the price/value vs Sunbrella? Can you please elaborate on this?
Based on everything I've seen, Sunbrella is the best fabric.

boatcoversdirect.com sells SunDURA and Sunbrella Carver custom covers.

I have both sunbrella and sundura. They are quite similar in appearance and in my applications I see no difference in performance. On that basis I see no reason to upgrade.

Also, Carver is the best online supplier of covers. They are far superior to Taylormade. Probably comparable to Westland. The only better covers were the ones my Dad made in the 1950's. He was a sailmaker in the Navy.

And of course, this is just my opinion.

 

[waterwurld]

I have both sunbrella and sundura. They are quite similar in appearance and in my applications I see no difference in performance. On that basis I see no reason to upgrade.

Also, Carver is the best online supplier of covers. They are far superior to Taylormade. Probably comparable to Westland. The only better covers were the ones my Dad made in the 1950's. He was a sailmaker in the Navy.

And of course, this is just my opinion.

Thanks -I appreciate you sharing your opinion.

 

[mike_i]

I don't know if my experience will help or not. I had a local canvas guy make a custom two piece cover for my boat almost 20 years ago. It's light brown sunbrella and other than dirty it's still doing it's job and looking good in the So. Cal sunshine.

 

[waterwurld]

I don't know if my experience will help or not. I had a local canvas guy make a custom two piece cover for my boat almost 20 years ago. It's light brown sunbrella and other than dirty it's still doing it's job and looking good in the So. Cal sunshine.

Sure, that helps! Your experience supports what I've been led to believe: Sunbrella covers are the most expensive for a reason.
Jim's perspective that SunDURA and Sunbrella are equal/interchangeable is new to me, therefore I'd need to hear multiple similar responses before abandoning my understanding that Sunbrella is the superior cover material.

 

[JimS123]

Sure, that helps! Your experience supports what I've been led to believe: Sunbrella covers are the most expensive for a reason.
Jim's perspective that SunDURA and Sunbrella are equal/interchangeable is new to me, therefore I'd need to hear multiple similar responses before abandoning my understanding that Sunbrella is the superior cover material.

I never said they were equal. What I said was that the SunDURA worked just as well as the other in MY application.

If you intended us is Arizona sun or North Dakota cold then maybe you should go all the way. $450 isn't worth worrying about it.

 

[waterwurld]

I never said they were equal. What I said was that the SunDURA worked just as well as the other in MY application.

If you intended us is Arizona sun or North Dakota cold then maybe you should go all the way. $450 isn't worth worrying about it.

Jim, sorry that I apparently misunderstood your post.
You said They are quite similar in appearance and in my applications I see no difference in performance. On that basis I see no reason to upgrade.
Apparently your applications have minimal sun/weather exposure(?) If yes, I can see where the cover's quality would be less critical.