Correct rigging of mooring cover?

[Arminius]

One of the mooring cover buckles cut up the gel coat after a few hundred miles of driving. I had routed them with care but now think I should eliminate the metal buckles. I'd like your advice as I studied this project somewhat but will be seeing the boat body shop. The cover is taut as I tent it over a rope run from bow to stern.

 

[Lazy Daze]

All full cover set ups I have ever seen have plastic buckles. And, they are simply looped through the full cover's tie-down loop so the buckle can be put anywhere. And another... the buckle is typically put on the outside of the tie-down "loop" so there's a strap near the hull, not the buckle.

Consider a cover support system - works much better than a simple rope that can stretch.

 

[Espos4]

follow when you have 2

 

[Espos4]

problem.

 

[scoflaw]

Taping the straps to the hull fixed my problem on the return trip

 

[Arminius]

All full cover set ups I have ever seen have plastic buckles. And, they are simply looped through the full cover's tie-down loop so the buckle can be put anywhere. And another... the buckle is typically put on the outside of the tie-down "loop" so there's a strap near the hull, not the buckle.

Consider a cover support system - works much better than a simple rope that can stretch.

2 items extend from gunnel, metal buckle to fasten female side of latch so you can cinch against it and strap to route down around trailer frame with male section of latch back up into female. I had it worked it out but forgot about the chaffing danger this time. I was thinking about cutting the metal buckle off but wondered what users had "actually done." Your old refrain.

 

[Lazy Daze]

If you just lengthen the distance that the male side of the latch is from the gunwale, it will end up being plenty far enough away from the boat. A couple twists over the length of the strap also helps to keep it from buzzing around.

 

[JHornsby3]

It's a mooring cover. Take it off when traveling and put it back on when you need at destination. I see so many torn up or sitting along the roads here. They might be able to handle a 60 mile per hour wind but not so much when doing 70 down the road.

 

[Arminius]

Somehow I don't clean interiors like I should. Can't pressure wash them. Mooring cover is pretty generic and keeps the road dust out, especially in construction zones. Frankly, they are disposable. Freud had a term for people who can't part with their garbage and want to roll it into little balls for the future. Recyclers?

 

[JHornsby3]

Then continue tearing your chit up. Or learn to get off your butt and hose your investment off once in a while. Like stated above, they are called Mooring cover. Not a travel cover. So if you rub holes in the gel coat, it's because your too lazy to clean the inside. And nobody here can help you with that.

 

[Arminius]

Then continue tearing your chit up. Or learn to get off your butt and hose your investment off once in a while. Like stated above, they are called Mooring cover. Not a travel cover. So if you rub holes in the gel coat, it's because your too lazy to clean the inside. And nobody here can help you with that.

Anal retentives.

 

[JHornsby3]

Anal retentives.

Absolutely! Yes I am. And I have it on two t shirts and a jacket.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Absolutely! Yes I am. And I have it on two t shirts and a jacket.

But that's what made your 'ol 6.5TD such a good rig!

 

[JHornsby3]

But that's what made your 'ol 6.5TD such a good rig!

Yes it did. And it was great up until it wasn't. LOL Even with trash chinese parts, it pulled over 11k just fine. Can't say that about the 350 of the mid 90's.

 

[GypsmJim]

I won't travel WITHOUT a mooring (or trailerable) cover. Ain't gonna happen. I do several mods and have never had a cover tear or a boat get marred.

Windshield edges, cleats and other protruding parts under the cover are covered with canvas, held with Velcro. Buckles and other strap parts are covered with fluffy cloth (don't know what else to call it). Looks like fun fur. Works like a charm. I also use this fabric to cover the transom tie down buckles on my woodie. Ain't a gonna take a chance scratching the 9 coats of varnish on my classic's mahogany transom....

 

[Arminius]

Empire/Aqua Armor/has "1200 Denier Polyester" covers for $200 which sounds fishy. What's a good option? https://www.empirecovers.com/pla/24...I_TIANdezxAv3YwOZiBLD8ZS5w_NvSA8aAhBREALw_wcB

 

[GypsmJim]

What's a good option?

Boat Covers Direct.

Westland if you want sunbrella. That's what my factory cover is on my 2019 SeaRay. Pricey, but maybe the best. BCD price is the same as what I paid thru SR.

Carver Sun Dura if you want to save money. I have 2 of these covers. Both were "custom", meaning that they were form fitted to the specific boat model. I can't say anything bad about them. They are certainly comparable to sunbrella. My Carver Whaler cover is now 4 years old and has been on the highway each year with no signs of damage to the cover or the boat.

Because I sent them a pic of the finished product for their gallery, they even sent me a $25 rebate.

 

[Arminius]

Thank you. Also, I will call Westland directly about the rigging on Monday. I was just lazy.
Called Westland and they e-mailed me current instructions. There is no 2nd metal buckle as in my 2003 product so I better just cut it off. Nice lady suggested inspecting after a few miles. Also pads are available 12 for $40:

https://westlandcovers.com/strap-pad-set-of-12.html

 

[Arminius]

Westland says I should have inserted the adjustable metal buckle into the sewn-on plastic buckle, locking the two together and creating a jury rigged anchor point for the strap. The metal buckle would bare on the plastic buckle which would bare on the hull. This is crazy, clearly an old battlefield. The attached instructions look like a whacky effort to dodge liability. Could of been a prior class action, or not. They ignored my request to pay for repairs. Westland:
"Start by placing the bow end of the cover over the front end of the boat. Unroll the cover working towards the rear of the boat
while unfolding out to the sides.
Attach strap to cover by sliding the buckle of strap through the loop sewn on cover as shown in figure
NOTE: Strap Kits are included for EXACT FIT and TRAILERABLE SELECT FIT covers only. Strap installation instructions do not
apply to NON-TRAILERABLE SELECT FIT covers.
A (make sure to slide it
through from the back so the buckle does not rub against the boat). Loop the strap down around the trailer frame and back
up to the plastic side-release buckle. Thread strap through the top of the buckle and then through the bottom as shown in figure
B. Cinch the strap down tight enough so when straps are installed on both sides of the boat, the cover is held taut. Any portion of
the strap which is left loose to flap around during trailering will whip against the hull and potentially cause damage. To insure that
this does not happen, check the tautness of the straps periodically during hauling cycle. There are twelve straps included in
each box. However, the loop placement doesn’t always allow for straps to be used in some areas of your trailer (like
wheel wells for example). It is acceptable to leave certain loops without a strap to attach to the trailer. If you feel
additional straps are needed please order through our customer service department at 1-800-835-7992 or visit
www.westlandcovers.com."