what kind of cover?

[Surfshoptom]

just bought a boat today. 97 Regal 202 Runabout. No cover. what would you buy - a cheap cover from a local dealer? a 7 yr warranty cover? a custom snap on? I don't want it to set in the Colorado sun too long.
Thanks.

 

[Cincyrunner]

Re: what kind of cover?

Check out the covers here on iBoat. Sunbrella makes the best, but I don't have any personal experience with them. I currently have bow and cockpit canvas, but I'm thinking of purchasing a nice Sunbrella for myself, something that'll protect it from the weather.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: what kind of cover?

Depends on what you want it for. If it's for mooring, your best bet is a snap on custom fit. If it's for trailering and sitting, I'd go with a good quality one from here on iBoats, or Cabelas. Other places have them too, but I'm most familiar with these two. Remember, you get what you pay for - the good ones will run a few hundred dollars.

 

[Surfshoptom]

Re: what kind of cover?

Thanks guys. The local dealer has covers for about $250 plus straps. He thought the warranty was maybe 3 yrs. I like the idea of the 7 yr warranty I've seen. I'm going to check with a local shop that does custom snap-on stuff for prices. I could cover it with a tarp while I'm waiting for something. Depending on the price of a snap-on, I may order one of those and get a cheap strap cover and have both. I guess the strap-ons don't really go down the road well even tho they say trailerable.
For out-of-the-box, is Sunbrella a brand or the material?
thanks again....

 

[AZSenza]

Re: what kind of cover?

What ever cover you get, if it has straps, treat them with fabric protector with a UV block. My Brand new 200$ cover has rotted straps from the sun. Bass Pro said to bring it in, if it looks less than 5 years old (Thats the warranty) they will replace it. The cover looks GREAT (% months old) the fit is...Ok.

 

[AZSenza]

Re: what kind of cover?

As a side note, it also has a Sunbrella Snap-In Moring cover thats almost as old as the boat (14 years) its in fair shape. That material is worth its weight and cost.

 

[Lindzi iboats]

Re: what kind of cover?

Sunbrella is a brand of fabric, it is 100% acrylic. Sunbrella is considered a top marine fabric because it's acrylic material is very breathable which prevents mildew build up on your seats and the cover itself. However, its UV/Fade Resistance is probably its best feature. It holds its color really well and isn't suppose to fade like most fabrics do sitting out in the sun.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: what kind of cover?

I bought mine off of ebay after doing some investigation. It was a custom cut Sharkskin II fabric, five yr warranty I believe. I paid about $500.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: what kind of cover?

I have had them all. Cheap, lets say under $100, will fall apart on you in less than a year. I had a nice $300 cover on my last boat. As mentioned, if you go this route treat the straps. Also get good clasps. All my plastic ones broke and I ended up just using bungie cords. The store bought ones are cumbersome and hard to put on by yourself. They collect water when it rains. I even bought poles to keep it up, but it still collected water. It did the trick by keeping the inside from sun and rain, but it was a real pain to use.

On my "new to me" 08 Monterey I have a snap style cover and would never go back. It is easy for 1 person to install, keeps the weather out, and doesnt accumulate water. There is also no straps or clasps to break. It has Taylor Made labels all over it, so I dont know what the material is. It is origional to the boat and still looks brand new. It is black as well and absolutely no sun fading or anything.

 

[Surfshoptom]

Re: what kind of cover?

I spoke to a local company that makes snap on covers. they said the bow cover is less than $200 and the cockpit cover that covers the windshield is less than $600. more money. more money. it's in the shop now to the tune of $750 and I haven't even had it on the water as MY boat yet. welcome to boating.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: what kind of cover?

I spoke to a local company that makes snap on covers. they said the bow cover is less than $200 and the cockpit cover that covers the windshield is less than $600. more money. more money. it's in the shop now to the tune of $750 and I haven't even had it on the water as MY boat yet. welcome to boating.

Ha! I was in the same boat!! OOPS did I really just say that?? Well anyway, with my other boat I was in the same situation. I was low on cash and bought the first cover for $50. It lasted about a year. Then I bought the more expensive universal cover. It lasted 4 years and was still going strong aside from the straps and plastic clips. It served me well, but I hated it. The boat I have now had the snap covers, and had I known how easy it was, I would have bought one for my other boat, no matter how much it cost. LOL.

 

[Surfshoptom]

Re: what kind of cover?

yeah - pretty sure I'm going to order a custom snap on cover. I'll probably buy something tomorrow from the local shop and then have the custom cover done after the season. I won't mind having a backup. I have a warehouse, but I suspect the boat will spend most of the summers in my driveway.

 

[Boatist]

Re: what kind of cover?

I have had several covers. First one cotton canvas from the dealer and it tore up after about one year.
Last one is custom made Sunbrella and it is a seven years old trailering cover. Trailering cover will have vinal inside to protect from cletes and the window corners while going down the road. Cost just over $500.

Two important things to know.

1: Make sure they use the special thread that holds up as well as sunbrella. Some types thread will only last a year or two.

2: Sunbrella shrinks. On my 21 foot boat it has shrunk about 6 inches in seven years. Now very hard to get on and can not pull the corners all the way down.

Sunbrella Marine material now has a 10 year warranty, but when I got my last cover it only had a 5 year warranty but still going strong at seven years.

 

[Surfshoptom]

Re: what kind of cover?

I bought a cover here. It's the heaviest one available and heavily discounted because Forest Green is the only color they have left. My boat is blue, but the deal was too good. The cheapest cover was $260 and lesser covers were $350. This was $301 with free shipping. I'll have them make a snap on after the season.