Covering Pontoon at the dock

[dls322]

Re: Covering Pontoon at the dock

Just so everyone knows, the Vortex 3-in-1 covers are NOT waterproof. I don't believe they are even water resistant. If you build a structure to raise the center and pitch to the side rails, most of the water will roll off....but that would happen if you used a bed sheet too.

Not sure what experience you had or what product you used but the Vortex cover i have is absolutely water resistant...you don't want a 100% water proof cover, you need it to be able to breathe. My cover i would say it 95% water proof...even the other day when i didn't set up my support correctly there was about 2 gallons of water sitting on a section of the cover...so obviously it holds back the water...maybe they deteriorate over time, but for now it works great for me

 

[newcomlr]

Re: Covering Pontoon at the dock

Newcomer,
Did you ever try spraying it with 303?

No I haven't. I was thinking about it but decided to get a playpen cover and just use the Vortex for winter storage (hopefully indoor next year).

 

[newcomlr]

Re: Covering Pontoon at the dock

Not sure what experience you had or what product you used but the Vortex cover i have is absolutely water resistant...you don't want a 100% water proof cover, you need it to be able to breathe. My cover i would say it 95% water proof...even the other day when i didn't set up my support correctly there was about 2 gallons of water sitting on a section of the cover...so obviously it holds back the water...maybe they deteriorate over time, but for now it works great for me

My Vortex cover is less than a year old. Like yours, mine will pool water and give the initial appearance that it is "holding back" water...but if you look underneath you will find water comes thru and soaks whatever is beneath it.

Last Thursday, I was about to put the toon on the lake and a surprise thunderstorm popped up while I was pulling up to ramp waiting area. The skies opened up while I quickly pulled the Vortex cover over the boat. Since it was a pop-up storm, I didn't have time to put any supports up before I pulled the cover on. Then I crawled under the cover to put up the supports. Water was coming through the Vortex cover at every point water was gathering on top. Not drips...spouts of water like there were holes in the cover.

As I said in my previous post, fully supported and with full tight pitch everywhere in the cover, you can divert nearly all the water off the boat with the Vortex. But anywhere water gathers, its coming through. Just wanted everyone to be aware of what these covers can and can't do.

As for covers breathing, that's why my new water proof fabric playpen cover is coming with vents.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Covering Pontoon at the dock

What he said

Yep. Plus two. A snap on cover will cost anywhere from $600 to a grand for your size boat, but it will last ten years or more and will be the easiest thing by far to put on and take off. Easier to put on and take off means more likely to put on and take off every time which means better protected boat which means money saved on upholstery jobs. When you consider all that the cost is very reasonable.

 

[dls322]

Re: Covering Pontoon at the dock

Hope mine doesn't start doing that....will keep an eye on it then :rain:

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Covering Pontoon at the dock

I tend to keep the camper on, both when moored, and when parked in the driveway (when there isn't a foot of snow on it!)

View attachment 190745

Was the camper top more expensive than the mooring cover? I would think the Uv will eat that campertop as fast as it will the mooring cover.

Bottom line is any cover gets to be a PITA, and especially the front of toon covers if it comes down to the deck in the front. In reality it takes only about 5 minutes to put one on. Other solution I've hear is to have a zipper sewn into the center of the mooring cover so the last thing you're snapping is the bow cover at the deck.

 

[newcomlr]

Re: Covering Pontoon at the dock

Yep. Plus two. A snap on cover will cost anywhere from $600 to a grand for your size boat, but it will last ten years or more and will be the easiest thing by far to put on and take off. Easier to put on and take off means more likely to put on and take off every time which means better protected boat which means money saved on upholstery jobs. When you consider all that the cost is very reasonable.

+3. Can't wait for my new snap-on cover to arrive. On a related note, I can't believe the boat owners who leave their new, expensive pontoon boats sit out in the sun and rain at the dock all summer. I can almost hear the vinyl deteriorating...and the cost of repairs adding up.

 

[newcomlr]

Re: Covering Pontoon at the dock

Just an update FYI...got my playpen cover in a while back and have had it on for a while and LOVE it. It was made for my boat, yet was mail order. Fits perfect! Had choice of fabric and went with Aqualon which water proof (not just resistant) with vents. Almost half the price I was quoted for a custom cover locally. Of course, always shop iBoats first, but if you can't find what you need PM me for my source.