To Cover Or Not To Cover

[Lidokey]

New to boating, a new 2012 Sundeck 260 owner. The boat is on a lift in south Florida with no cover over the dock allowed. I've been pretty religious about snapping on the cover every night but wonder how big an issue it would be to leave the cover off for a week at a time regardless of rain showers, particularly in the PM in summer. We are seasonal down here, coming for a week to 2 weeks from time to time and so we take the boat out almost every day when we're here. Fastening and unfastening that cover is a major pain. Is it OK to expose the interior to rain on a regular basis or is it best to button it up every day? The boat has a Garmin chartplotter with a cover which can be easily removed, or at least more easily removed than snapping on the cover!
Apologies in advance for such a basic question.

 

[tdschafer]

I would cover it. Rain can be damaging but the sun is worse. All of the sun beating down on the vinyl will age it prematurely.

Todd


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[Lidokey]

Damn, I was afraid you'd say that! Makes sense, though. Costs more to replace all the vinyl than it does the chart plotter which would be a more advanced version anyway and therefore more value. Thanks.

 

[Quint4]

Kinda like always leaving your car windows down in my opinion.

 

[Lidokey]

You're right, only difference is that the car windows close with the touch of a button and the boat takes 15 minutes and two sore thumbs to close up. But to your point, it is common sense, I guess, to close it up. Guess I was hoping for a groundswell of opinion that says its no big deal to leave the boat unprotected. Gotta have a dream, right?

 

[Big Island Lifer]

If you weren't in FL I might agree with you. If you look at center consoles around you I bet they have slip covers for seats and consoles. The sun down there is powerful. You made a size able investment in a cool boat. Keep it looking good for as long as possible.




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[Quint4]

You're right, only difference is that the car windows close with the touch of a button and the boat takes 15 minutes and two sore thumbs to close up. But to your point, it is common sense, I guess, to close it up. Guess I was hoping for a groundswell of opinion that says its no big deal to leave the boat unprotected. Gotta have a dream, right?

I hear ya man!

The rain and sun on your electronics, switches, carpet, and interior will cost you money and headaches though.

 

[mwph]

For what it is worth, I am under a fully covered slip and always will be. In summer months I still install the cover every time I leave the boat. In winter months the full camper canvas stays up. I have seen the effects that exposure to southern elements bring. It is not pretty.

 

[kaz911]

Just don't cover the boat while wet - I got the pink stains on my seats from covering the boat after washing it down. It was worst the places where the seat was in contact with the cover. When I need to have my covers redone - I'll make new ones that won't touch the seat covers at all - even if I have to make a SS "support" for the cover.

My summers here are about 30% hotter and more humid than FL (Middle East)

But I would love if Sunbrella made a lightweight "hot weather" UV cover - I don't need the heavy fabric - just something to shield the harsh UV and the 3 times pr year rain showers.

 

[Lidokey]

My 260 Sundeck came with a couple of adjustable rods that snap onto the interior of the cover in two locations which then elevate the cover above the seats avoiding the stains that you experienced. I've been religious about using them for exactly the reason you mention. Do you not have supports like that?

 

[CliffA]

You're right, only difference is that the car windows close with the touch of a button and the boat takes 15 minutes and two sore thumbs to close up. But to your point, it is common sense, I guess, to close it up. Guess I was hoping for a groundswell of opinion that says its no big deal to leave the boat unprotected. Gotta have a dream, right?

i use this tool....makes snapping the cover on and off much easier and no sore thumbs.....

cliff

 

[Lidokey]

Worth a try, just ordered one. Thanks!

 

[kaz911]

My 260 Sundeck came with a couple of adjustable rods that snap onto the interior of the cover in two locations which then elevate the cover above the seats avoiding the stains that you experienced. I've been religious about using them for exactly the reason you mention. Do you not have supports like that?

My 210 did not have them - and my 310 have them - but it does not stop the cover from "leaning" on the back rest on the rear seats. On the 210 it had a "bigish" sunpad - so no pole in the world with get the cover not to touch. And that was where the mold stains came.

 

[Lidokey]

Cliff

Took your advice and bought a Top-Snapper. Makes the whole cover off/cover on process much easier. Thanks!

 

[Lidokey]

Quint4 You convinced me, I now cover pretty religiously. One thing I have noticed is that it seems rare for the center console fishing guys to ever cover. At least where we are the majority don't even cover the console. I see you're a tech contributor so you might know this. Are center consoles designed and built to be more resistant to weather?

 

[CliffA]

Cliff

Took your advice and bought a Top-Snapper. Makes the whole cover off/cover on process much easier. Thanks!

glad it is working for you....i like mine a lot also....

cliff

 

[Big Island Lifer]

Center console guys don't have much exposed vinyl and e everything on their deck is usually self bailing. Most of them are designed to be sitting out on the elements. You'll see some bow to stern cc covers on the boats with a lot more seating or from guys who really baby their gel coats.


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[blaster]

Quint4 You convinced me, I now cover pretty religiously. One thing I have noticed is that it seems rare for the center console fishing guys to ever cover. At least where we are the majority don't even cover the console. I see you're a tech contributor so you might know this. Are center consoles designed and built to be more resistant to weather?

A CC doesn't have all the nice upholstery like a runabout. But a CC will oxidize and fade just like any other boat. I know plenty who take time to cover their fishing boat, but sun bleaching and oxidation won't impact the resale value on a CC compared to a luxury runabout.

 

[Polaris]

Cliff,
Looking at that interesting tool, I can see how it would certainly help with snapping OFF. But not sure how it helps with what I think is harder, snapping ON.

 

[rcmafgny]

Cover!
Sun is Brutal on on the vinyl and will fade everything...........