Re: First Timer
Here's a lesson from my experience: Yes, custom made snap-down covers are expensive but you get what you pay for. A custom fitted cover will always work better than an off-the-shelf generic that has to be strapped or lashed down to make tight.
This is a generic 'semi-custom' cover. Water would pond if not strapped and it couldn't be used when towing:
Custom-made cockpit cover on the same boat. That cover was 10 years old when I sold the boat and still worked great.