Boat Cover Recommendation 2010 185 Sport (w/Tower)

[Shawn]

Done a lot of reading on this and still not sure of a good reputable place to get one. Finding a place on the net that has exactly my boat listed can be challenging too I did find one that "appears" to be a good one at boatcoversoutlet (anyone have experience with them?) for a Carver Custom cover. I have come to the conclusion I need these things:

#1. Trailerable
#2. Sunbrella
#3. Can be done on the water as well (Suction cups, etc..) which is sometimes just a matter of ordering accessories.
#4. Do not want a generic loose fit so that leaves out a lot of possibilities.

Mostly the boat will be either garaged or at least under cover. I will be doing camping trips where I can put moor the boat at a dock so a little bit of theft safety overnight by being covered (I know not much but better than wide open). My house is 8' above street level which means I have a driveway with about a 12% grade lol impossible to put the boat in the garage so I have it at a friends house (girl) which also means that is not the most stable situation so I want a cover for that just in case feeling that I may need to store at a local storage unit at least under cover for cheaper than a full unit big enough for the boat (and be able to get it in).

I really do not want to spend thousands and most local dealers are way out of line price wise. The one I have found with everything is well under a grand and that seems to be the average for net prices. I have been quoted well above a thousand locally and that irritates me.

Anyone have any suggestions or experience with the place above?

 

[Dave 205]

I bought the custom Sharkskin cover from Overton's. It's okay, it will trailer, but you have to be careful about installation or even minor wind flapping anywhere, tie down's included, will scuff the boat.

I have the snap on Sunbrella covers as well. They are nice, but heavy. And, seem to need periodic water proofing. I'm not sure I'd want Sunbrella for a full trailer / storage cover.

Blaster, a frequent poster here, ponied up for a Sea Ray cover from his dealer. A bit more than mine, but probably worth it. Maybe he has an update.

 

[tcason]

I always admired these covers for storage, they cover way lower than most covers.

http://www.fishercanvas.com

 

[Golfnit]

I also picked up the sharkskin from Overtons. It's 2 seasons old and it will need a good scrubbing and 303 applied this spring for it to last and protect. I don't trailer the boat with the cover on, as it will scratch the side of the boat. There are very few covers i would trailer, and all of those are custom made. For the money its a good cover. Sunbrella is the gold standard afaik, and if you have the money, it's great. My bimini and bow cover are made from it.

 

[blaster]

Shawn, I don't think any one cover will do all the things you want. While on the water the cockpit cover and tonneau cover will be the easiest to install. They also trailer well but will require seasonal maintenance and cleaning especially if kept in the weather. The Sea Ray mooring cover will offer the most protection for the boat and it is the only mooring type cover that's trailerable damage free. It is lighter weight than Sunbrella material but very water resistant and it breaths well from the vent cutouts. Both options are expensive but you get what you pay for. I would pony up the cash for the Sea Ray cover because it's the most custom fit you will get and you can't beat the quality. If you don't care for the price at your local dealer try some others and see if they will drop ship to you. My dealer wanted to keep the sale and met the lower price I was offered by Marine Max.

 

[WazzuCMGrad]

I got a Sunbrella cover from Overtons (approx. $650). Put microfiber around the tie straps for trailering, and that seemed to make a huge difference.

Otherwise, it's a very heavyweight, waterproof storage cover with reinforcement in all the right places.
Good luck!

 

[Dave 205]

It is lighter weight than Sunbrella material but very water resistant and it breaths well from the vent cutouts. Both options are expensive but you get what you pay for.

Very good point here - my Sharkskin cover will not breathe, and is not vented. Rain will get in, or if your boat has some dampness from use (my kids track a lot of water in), I get the terrarium effect. At best, my cover keeps the major weather out, then I have to open it up and dry it out.

From the posts I've seen here, mainly from Dennis and Blaster, the Sea Ray cover may be a new product and well worth the money.

 

[Dave 205]

the cockpit cover and tonneau cover will be the easiest to install. They also trailer well

Mine seem to take a beating when trailering. These have been my go to covers. My "home lake" is about 45 minutes away, and I prefer to have a cover on - that way I can have stuff in the boat without worrying that it will fly out on the highway. My Sunbrella covers were new last year, and in particular, they are wearing at the support pole points. A lot of snapping and unsnapping has also pulled a few snaps out of the boat - my mates are pretty young and still learning.

I use my Sharkskin for longer trips where I have to store the boat out of the water overnight. A little false sense of security never hurts when you are trying to sleep! And, it does keep the bulk of any rain out, provided the supports don't blow down and let pools form.

 

[blaster]

Any cover will wear more when trailered especially when going faster than 45 mph. Do you have the old tent poles that poke through the top or do you have the ones with the snap? Do you ever wax your snaps? They work easier when lubricated. Covers can require quite a bit of upkeep.

 

[Dave 205]

Any cover will wear more when trailered especially when going faster than 45 mph. Do you have the old tent poles that poke through the top or do you have the ones with the snap? Do you ever wax your snaps? They work easier when lubricated. Covers can require quite a bit of upkeep.

I have the poles with the snaps. The poles are hard on the cockpit cover and tonneau covers, too little surface area. I'm looking at doing a modification to the poles where there is a frisbee sized surface to rest the cover on.

The poles stay in place okay when trailering. But, when under the cockpit cover and tonneau - with the Sharkskin mooring cover, storm winds can provide enough lift to cause the poles to move out of place, and I get pools - which if over a seam, will cause a lot of water to get in.

Good tip on the wax. Will give it a try.