Trailering

joelife

Member
Aug 15, 2017
48
Boat Info
240 Sea Ray Sundancer 2008
Engines
5.0 mag w/Bravo 111 drives
Hi All, I have a full cover on my 240SD from bow to stern when in the storage yard. I was told to not trailer it long distances with the cover on. I am planing a long trip this spring/summer to the Delta and San Juan islands from San Diego. I do have a cockpit cover as well.
Should I keep the cover on over these long hauls?
Thanks
Joe
 
FYI - SD = Sundeck. DA = Sundancer. I assume, from your picture, you are referring to a Sundancer?

Whether someone trails with a cover or not depends on how tightly it fits. There is no way to make a blanket statement like "don't trailer with a full cover". The original cockpit cover, with poles extended to make it tight, will be fine for trailering, though. "Sometimes" they start to lift a little in front of the center windshield on DA's - but not on every one. A piece of hull preservation tape will solve that, though. You'll get various opinions on what people "prefer" to do, but that's the general idea. Personally, I have always used the original covers for trailering with all of my Sea Ray's. I would have no hesitation to use a good full cover, though - as long as it was tight.
 
FYI - SD = Sundeck. DA = Sundancer. I assume, from your picture, you are referring to a Sundancer?

Whether someone trails with a cover or not depends on how tightly it fits. There is no way to make a blanket statement like "don't trailer with a full cover". The original cockpit cover, with poles extended to make it tight, will be fine for trailering, though. "Sometimes" they start to lift a little in front of the center windshield on DA's - but not on every one. A piece of hull preservation tape will solve that, though. You'll get various opinions on what people "prefer" to do, but that's the general idea. Personally, I have always used the original covers for trailering with all of my Sea Ray's. I would have no hesitation to use a good full cover, though - as long as it was tight.
Yes Sundancer sorry. Thanks for the response.
 
I trailered our 260DA and after Dennis said it was ok to trailer with the cockpit cover on it, I never pulled it without it.

Worked well and the interior stayed perfectly clean.

Bennett
 
Once I pulled my cuddy with the cockpit cover on. It came loose, but I think that was because it snapped to the top, not the bottom of the windshield. Fortunately, enough snaps held that I didn't lose it.

My current cover snaps to the bottom, but bow-riders are different. They can become massive air scoops. The wind broke the latch on my pass-through door. My covers fit tightly, but they were expensive to buy and represent countless hours of my labor to install snaps. I haven't found the nerve to reach highway speeds with them in-place.
 
Thanks Guys,Roller Coaster I have a full cover from Bow to stern I was asking if I should trailer it long distance with the full cover on. I think Dennis answered the question. I will use the cockpit cover only.
 
Yes the cockpit cover does cover the windshield
 
If the weather forecast is clear, I remove my carpet and trailer without the cover. Bottom line trailering with any cover on hads more wear and tear to cover.
 
If the weather forecast is clear, I remove my carpet and trailer without the cover. Bottom line trailering with any cover on hads more wear and tear to cover.
I agree with the wear and tear... also you'll constantly be looking back to make sure it's not coming off. Don't need that distraction when towing IMO.
 
I towed my 200BR and 270SD using the factory front tonneau and cockpit covers. I also tow my 280DA with it's factory cockpit cover on. All have seen at least 75mph on the highway without even one problem, no accelerated wear or damage to them either. Make sure all snaps can snap and hold, keep the support poles adjusted properly/up snuggly.

i never towed without them on, I wanted the protection from dust, bug swarms, tar spots, and unexpected rains. Highway rain is filthy stuff. Another benefit was not having to unload everything from inside the boat. My .02 of course.
 
Thanks Woody I want the protection from all of what you said as well. I had a cover made from Cover Anything to cover my boat from the Bow Roller to the stern so when its in storage yard it stays clean.Its not that tight but I can make it tighter. I have the Factory Cockpit cover that snaps in over and covers the windshield.I am not concerned about wear and tear on the cover's.
 
I wouldn't take the chance of damaging it if it did what will this cost?
We have a little Boston Whaler with custom helm and bucket seat covers and I take those off. Cost me 700.00 for the three and I don't need to loose them going down the highway.
Just a thought and you will only make that mistake once.

Tom
 

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