Trailerable Boat cover

[Fishslayer2]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum and a proud new owner of a 2012 pro guide 175V combo with a Merc 115 four stroke.
Anyway, it came with a custom cover and the previous owner told me I can tow the boat with the boat cover on. I've heard from other people that it is not a good idea to tow with the boat cover on because it can either damage the cover and/or wear the paint off the boat due to the wind causing the cover to rub on the boat.

Do any of you more experienced boat owners have an opinion on this? Any tips and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also, can anybody tell me where to find some rod holders for the versa track system? Seems like they are hard to find.

Thanks in advance.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Trailerable Boat cover

...Do any of you more experienced boat owners have an opinion on this? ...

One thing that folks here have, is an OPINION on this subject.
You are going to hear Opinions ranging from, "It never works, and damages the the Boat" to, "I tow 1,000 miles a week and have never had a problem" to, "You are going to need a $3000 custom cover made and then it still might not be enough!"

Opinions there are plenty of; What you will not get is a consensus!

For what it's worth...
I have a Tow rated cover. I tow for under an hour. On paved roads all the way.
I only tow on sunny days. The cover is a pain to remove and re-install at the launch ramp.
It stays home!

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: Trailerable Boat cover

Anyway, it came with a custom cover and the previous owner told me I can tow the boat with the boat cover on. I've heard from other people that it is not a good idea to tow with the boat cover on because it can either damage the cover and/or wear the paint off the boat due to the wind causing the cover to rub on the boat.

As long as its a custom fit snap fastener kind and it fits tightly it should be alright. Its when you're a guy like me with a universal strap on storage cover that you should not do so. I found that out the hard way. What can I say? The package was wrong :frusty:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Trailerable Boat cover

why take the chance? tow it uncovered. Then the boat can dry out on the way home.

 

[jkust]

Re: Trailerable Boat cover

It depends on the style of cover. The pros tow 10's of thousands of miles yearly without covers. I prefer a cover since I carry so much stuff in the boat. I just use my two piece mooring cover consisting of a bow cover and a cover that covers the rest of the boat including the windshield and snaps to the outsides sides of the gunnels. It very specifically isn't meant for towing and so I am a rule breaker. I use the snap in prop rods to make the cover taught and so it doesn't move with the wind. I'd say after this many years of towing with the cover some of the snaps don't snap on as tight as they used to. As to the towing without a cover for it to dry out...invariably I end up towing hours through rain storms it seems ever trip and so appreciate the cover. I have gel coat and not paint on my boat and so don't have the issue your friends mentioned.

 

[Fishslayer2]

Re: Trailerable Boat cover

Thanks a lot for all the tips. I think I will tow uncovered. Thanks again!

 

[mrmamiller]

Re: Trailerable Boat cover

I have a boat cover which was made for my 18' dual console boat in 1987 by a local canvas shop. Paid $300 for it back then, oh how times have changed. It has snaps and is beefed up at stress points. I have trailered it over 25,000 miles at interstate highway speeds (60-70 MPH). Knock on wood, it is still in great shape. I do NOT leave the boat outside except on rare occasions, so maybe that is why it has held up. It usually only sees wet weather when trailering. One point to note, I discovered recently that there is much more stress on the cover when towing with my truck as opposed to when I towed with an SUV (wind turbulence).