Need new Tender Cover (preferences, styles, colors, issues) please share

[rlynch03]

Internal debate… need new Tender Cover

We have had several types, colors and materials. Still debating, Lol

See pictures below for our recent styles. Pluses and minuses with all I think.

Main questions.?.

1) Gray, White or Color of Canvas/Trim on the big boat?
2) Draw string or clips?
3) Lessons learned?

Please share picture of your tender on the boat with covers on.

 

[ttmott]

Blue because I had blue material.

 

[Stee6043]

I own both a cover that clips to the rub rail and also one that goes all the way around the tubes w/drawstrings. The cover that clips to the rub rail is 1,358% easier to install and as such my other cover never gets used.

I vote gray (though that is the color of my canvas) since it's a nice happy medium when it comes to showing dirt and grime.

 

[rlynch03]

I own both a cover that clips to the rub rail and also one that goes all the way around the tubes w/drawstrings. The cover that clips to the rub rail is 1,358% easier to install and as such my other cover never gets used.

I vote gray (though that is the color of my canvas) since it's a nice happy medium when it comes to showing dirt and grime.

Thank you for the reply. This is great and why i wanted to debate this a bit...

Interesting you say that the clips to the rubrail is far easier. Please explain? Maybe I was using mine wrong but when I had the clip version i had to get into the dingy each time and clip to the rubrail. Which looks more sleek but with the draw string i am able to throw the entire cover over the dingy and then go to the back without ever getting into the dingy to draw the cover tight.

Thanks and again...

 

[Stee6043]

Thank you for the reply. This is great and why i wanted to debate this a bit...

Interesting you say that the clips to the rubrail is far easier. Please explain? Maybe I was using mine wrong but when I had the clip version i had to get into the dingy each time and clip to the rubrail. Which looks more sleek but with the draw string i am able to throw the entire cover over the dingy and then go to the back without ever getting into the dingy to draw the cover tight.

Thanks and again...

Mine might be a bit on the "too tight" side of things. It's nice and tight when it's on and cinched, but getting it over the tubes is quite difficult. Perhaps a fit issue. Though I do get into my dinghy for either cover, so all other things being equal the rub rail clip rig is an easier process.

 

[400 EC Michigan]

I also have clips on the rub rail which I find easy to use and are very secure. As far as cover material, I have white stamoid which helps keep the dingy protected and cool. The opening on the cover was from the previous owner who had the dingy loaded with the engine on the starboard side.

 

[Blueone]

This is what I did 2 years ago. Very happy with it. I just use two straps. One under the outboard and one under the bow. Very simple. There is an elastic sewn in so no draw string. Click on the link below for price and distributor

Dinghy Cover Support

Looking to see what everyone does to support their dinghy covers, so rain water runs off. A friend told me his sticks his dock pole on the top of his outboard cowling and the other end on the bow of the inflatable and it works for him. I tried it and granted the cover is a bit large, but it...

clubsearay.com

 

[Brent Nutting]

Just finished our 8th season with this cover. Still holding up pretty good and it has the draw string attachment method.

 

[ttmott]

Thank you for the reply. This is great and why i wanted to debate this a bit...

Interesting you say that the clips to the rubrail is far easier. Please explain? Maybe I was using mine wrong but when I had the clip version i had to get into the dingy each time and clip to the rubrail. Which looks more sleek but with the draw string i am able to throw the entire cover over the dingy and then go to the back without ever getting into the dingy to draw the cover tight.

Thanks and again...

Clips on the rubrail also as well as a draw string on a skirt around it. I got the clips, actually everything I needed from Sailrite. It makes it pretty painless to get the cover on and off.

 

[Jaybeaux]

This is my set up. West Marine 350 Rib, 15 hp outboard. Previous owner had a custom cover made. We load it with the engine to the starboard side as to not interfere with the boarding door on the port side. Mine is a drawstring....but it's a bit diffenent (or I'm not very familiar with other set ups). The drawstring is actually bungee like rope. At the stern, the ends "hook together" with a J-Hook coming off of each side. There is no drawstring to mess with at the bow. When you get the cover put on the bow correctly, it is very easy to work the cover down the tubes and over the engine and tube ends. Believe me when I say if you don't have it positioned correctly, it lets you know. My cover has an "eye-brow" opening on the starboard side which I find very convenient as it makes it easy to utilize storage space in the dinghy. There are two "pop up poles" that create a tent between the bow and the stern. Mine is black which matches the canvas. I utilize two stainless ratchet straps in the stern, and a single strap at the bow.

Jaybeaux

 

[Jaybeaux]

@400 EC Michigan Not to highjack the thread, but I'm curious was to why you load the dinghy on your platform with the outboard on the same side as your entry door?