Hello from "New pontoon owner"

[Kokopelli2014]

My wife and I just bought into a 2013 Sunchaser DS24 with a Mercury 150. We are new to this world and look forward to learning a lot here and getting cool and interesting ideas from the more seasoned visitors to this site!
My first question is that we'd like to have it covered while hauling it around. I saw what looks like a nose cone cover somewhere and another told me the mooring cover can be left on if drilled out bases in 4x4 blocks were made for the tent poles. Any advice?

 

[OK Toon]

Re: Hello from "New pontoon owner"

Most mooring covers are not rated for use while towing. You will have to get a custom cover that has straps to hold the cover tight to the boat. Otherwise, the flapping of the cover will rub and cause marks on the boat. I got a quote from a local awning place that also does custom boat covers -- $2000 for my 22' pontoon.

 

[philmay75]

Re: Hello from "New pontoon owner"

Welcome!

+1 from OK Toon. I did some calling around, and most of the dealers us a local canvas shop for bimini/boat covers. we had front and back biminis, boots, and a custom cover (all sunbrella) made from the dealer recommended shop for around 2k on our 26' toon. It's towable, and looks great. Sunbrella is the way to go, IMHO.

Good luck!

 

[MinUph]

Re: Hello from "New pontoon owner"

I see toon with covers being towed and it never made sense to me. Maybe cover the front if you think it may get hit with gravel or something. I always tow with an empty boat and no canvas up. Well secured in the down position.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Hello from "New pontoon owner"

Pontoons already have very poor aerodynamics and the addition of any cover will make it even less aerodynamic.

With OEM mooring covers costing $1,500, the risk of losing one to a big gust of wind is simply not worth it.

The best thing you can do is keep the front of your boat waxed well in case you run into any love bugs and tow it naked anywhere you want.

And if you have any seats that are held in with velcro or not connected, lash them down or put them in your vehicle. We hear often of boat seats "flying" and replacing any such seat cushions are very, very expensive.

 

[WoodenPontoon]

Re: Hello from "New pontoon owner"

Welcome Aboard!!!!

I can vouch for replacement cushions being expensive! The wind against your towed boat is almost to the level of a hurricane!!!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Hello from "New pontoon owner"

I very rarely tow with my cover on, I had it made so it can be and if I need to tow when its raining I use it but other wise its off when I tow.

 

[TurboM700]

Re: Hello from "New pontoon owner"

Wow there is some wrong advice in here.

First off I have pulled my pontoon just last yr alone 2500 miles down interstate with the cover on. I could never imagine pulling it with the cover off. All that wind drag catching seats and helm is hard on the seats and cause alot of wind drag. The few times I pulled mine last yr with out the cover(wasnt made yet) I noticed a 2mpg less with the cover off. This is on a 1ton diesel mind you.

A good cover will not cost you 2k I bought mine last yr once I finished up on the boat. It was custom made with a 10yr warranty for a little less then a grand. Thats on a 24' pontoon.

Here is a picture of my boat attached to the to rig. I keep the center poles tight so I dont get in flapping and she pulls like a dream.