New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

[ricohman]

Had our first good rain last night and today so I though I would take a look inside my new cover.
Water dripping from every seam. Water dripping all over the seats and instruments. Water everywhere.
This is a new Carver Aqua Shield that I bought here on iboats. It is supposed to have excellent water repellency but obviously it is anything but waterproof. My new boat is going to have rotten floors if this keeps up.
So, should I be covering the cover with a large tarp? I know a $50 tarp won't leak. This cover was over $500 for my application.
Or would the tarp trap moisture? It would only be on when it rains.
Or are some boat covers actually waterproof?
I have tents that cost under $300 that are waterproof, so I know the material is available.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

I am sure their several types that are, I know mine is , its made from sumbrella. And in your case I would take it back to get a refund if it was sold to you as water proff.

 

[ricohman]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

Its been on the boat for over a week so I don't think they will take it back. But at $500 its an expensive dust cover.
Maybe the cheap tarp over top would do it but maybe I can spray it with something?
I will have to contact Carver.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

You can spray it down with 3M Scotchguard and it will be waterproof. If it is sold as waterproof and leaks the warranty should cover it for at least a year.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

If it's only leaking from the seams, google "seam sealer". Something like that might be all you need. We had the same problem with our tent leaking, the fabric was waterproof but the water would come in thru the thread holes at the seams. Some sort of support so that the water doesn't pool on the cover will also help.

 

[ricohman]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

If it's only leaking from the seams, google "seam sealer". Something like that might be all you need. We had the same problem with our tent leaking, the fabric was waterproof but the water would come in thru the thread holes at the seams. Some sort of support so that the water doesn't pool on the cover will also help.

The cover is well supported, but it seems to be leaking everywhere. I soaked up 5 or 6 beach towels worth of water on the floor. And its to much to be condensation. I am worried about all the water sitting on top of the large flat dash. I am going to have to buy a large tarp and cover this. Its way to big to spray.

 

[JoLin]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

The cover is well supported, but it seems to be leaking everywhere.

Then it's defective. Contact iboats customer service and take it up with them. If what you say is accurate, there's no reason to 'eat' $500.

 

[ricohman]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

Then it's defective. Contact iboats customer service and take it up with them. If what you say is accurate, there's no reason to 'eat' $500.

I sent them an email yesterday afternoon. But in the mean time I bought a $25 poly tarp and draped that over the cover. It looks horrible, but its dry inside now. And it rained all day again.
What about the wetskins? Maybe I should not be buying from the name. I figured Aqua Shield meant water proof but I was wrong.
Maybe I need to spring for a custom canvas cover. But that's at least twice the price of this cover.

 

[Carver Customer Care]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

Good Morning!

My name is April and I am with Carver Industries.
I see that you recently purchased one of our covers and although it is properly supported it leaks.

The cover should not leak.

From reading your post, I believe the material did not get properly treated at the finishing plant.

All the covers we manufacture have a water repellent finish. Only coated fabrics are water proof. We use the water repellent finish so that the cover will "breath" and allow moisture to evaporate from the boat.

I would like to replace your cover with a new one. You could continue to use the one you have until the replacement comes. When you get the new cover I would like to get the old one back to submit for testing.

I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
April

 

[ricohman]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

Thought I would follow up on this. Because Carver initially told me that I needed to send my cover in I ended up treating it with Nikwax in a 50 gallon drum before whomever made the above post. Since this is the only cover I have I can't be without it. The Nikwax was not cheap (over $100 to treat the cover) but when I sprayed the cover with a hose, water seemed to bead and roll off.
Today we have had lots of rain so I left the poly tarp off. I guess I had more faith in the treatment than I should have as the boat is soaked inside again. So the tarp is back in place.
So I am back to square one. I have been thinking that these cheap poly tarps do a much better job that the cover at keeping rain out but they won't breathe much. What about the thick canvas tarps?
I am thinking about building another 36ft garage with a high door to hold this Islander and some of my off road toys and tractors but in the meantime I may try one of the canvas tarps. At 1/4 the price of a cover I can't go wrong trying it.

 

[Carver Customer Care]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

Thought I would follow up on this. Because Carver initially told me that I needed to send my cover in I ended up treating it with Nikwax in a 50 gallon drum before whomever made the above post. Since this is the only cover I have I can't be without it. The Nikwax was not cheap (over $100 to treat the cover) but when I sprayed the cover with a hose, water seemed to bead and roll off.
Today we have had lots of rain so I left the poly tarp off. I guess I had more faith in the treatment than I should have as the boat is soaked inside again. So the tarp is back in place.
So I am back to square one. I have been thinking that these cheap poly tarps do a much better job that the cover at keeping rain out but they won't breathe much. What about the thick canvas tarps?
I am thinking about building another 36ft garage with a high door to hold this Islander and some of my off road toys and tractors but in the meantime I may try one of the canvas tarps. At 1/4 the price of a cover I can't go wrong trying it.

Hi Ricohman,

My name is Carrie w/Carver Industries. I just wanted to follow up with you and let you know that our offer still stands for a replacement cover that was offered by April at Carver Industries June of last year. We can ship you a new cover before getting this one back. Please PM me and we'll help you out.

 

[64osby]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

Sounds like an offer you can't refuse.

Much cheaper than building a 36' garage, but that would be nice too.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

Sounds like pretty good customer service... Ricohman, please let us know how this turns out. I bought a Carver bimini, so I'm very interested in how they stand behind their products.

Best,
Jim

 

[ricohman]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

Just saw this post.
They will ship me a new cover as the fabric in this one was not properly treated. They don't want the old one back so I don't have to go through the hassle of returning this leaky cover. Good news.
I will update this post and I am hoping the replacment will keep my new boat dry.
And yes, it seems that they are standing behind the product.

 

[ricohman]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

I opted for the Sunbrella Supreme cover and they sent me a support pole which I am going to try. My support PVC poles seem a bit easier to use and offer more support. I will know after a good rain.
The cover has a soft lining which is nice. I live in a low humidity environment so I think this cover will be a good choice. It fits well and its nearly twice as heavy as the aqua shield cover.
Carver stood behind their product and sent me this without having me pack the other to send it back. No more cheap tarp over my cover.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

I am sure that one wont leak.

 

[ricohman]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

I am sure that one wont leak.

It rained last night and the boat is dry.
No more constantly drying the boat out. But I have to say the cheap tarp was 100% waterproof. But using the tarp alone would kill the paint work on a boat.
This is the tarp over the cover last summer.

 

[ricohman]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

Can't go boating as the 70 kmh wind and rain are making a mess of things but I did crawl under the cover after 3 days of rain.
The boat is completely dry inside. This Sunbrella cover simply does not leak.
If you need a waterproof cover this material is just that. The water also beads and rolls off. No leaks at the seams.
I don't live in the south where it gets really hot but should I think about venting this black cover? I'm not concerned about moisture but I was wondering about heat.

 

[tinkerguy70]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

Can't go boating as the 70 kmh wind and rain are making a mess of things but I did crawl under the cover after 3 days of rain.
The boat is completely dry inside. This Sunbrella cover simply does not leak.
If you need a waterproof cover this material is just that. The water also beads and rolls off. No leaks at the seams.
I don't live in the south where it gets really hot but should I think about venting this black cover? I'm not concerned about moisture but I was wondering about heat.

I guess the question that remains on everybody's mind is: Are you satisfied with the replacement cover and has Carver Industries redeemed themselves?

IMHO, from what I have read here, they have done an outstanding job at taking care of the customer.

 

[ricohman]

Re: New Aqua Shield (Carver) cover is anything but waterproof. Tarp over cover?

I guess the question that remains on everybody's mind is: Are you satisfied with the replacement cover and has Carver Industries redeemed themselves?

IMHO, from what I have read here, they have done an outstanding job at taking care of the customer.

As I mentioned above, Carver stood behind their product and shipped this cover out at no cost to me. And I was not required to send the defective cover back.
Outstanding customer service!