To Cover Or Not To Cover

[Phlorida]

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.

I use cheap lip balm that you find in the 5 packs at Wmart and the pharmacies. The head fits over the snap and is fast to apply. I do it several times a year and never have to fight the snaps.

To the original poster....cover! The cover for my boat with three poles takes less than ten minutes to install. My vinyl looks like new and I don't have to clean the boat before I go out. In my boat it also allows me to leave the cabin door open which allows the cabin to breathe. I wouldn't have a boat without a cover.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Something to also help making snaping on/off easier... Snap lubricant is readily available and works well, but the problem is that it is greasy and collects dirt. A better solution is beeswax. I bought a 1lb brick about 10-15 years ago at a craft store for $5. Still have about 2/3 of it remaining and I've given some to friends and family, too. Cut a 1" square off and go around and rub it on each male snap. After the snaps are put on and off a few times, it will have worked it's way around and the snaps will be MUCH easier to put on and remove. Once or twice a season is usually about all you need to do. Plus, once you have put the covers on/off a few times, it really only takes about 3 or 4 minutes.

 

[CliffA]

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.

on the butt end of the tool there is a 'U' shaped hook that allows you to hook it around the top of a snap and pull the snap into position....once the snap halves are aligned you simply press the tool down to snap the two halves together.....as you have seen the other end of the tool with the extended hook works well to disengage the snaps....the attached pic shows how the tool is used to pull the snap halves into position....

 

[Mystic Dreamer]

My neighbor left his Sea Doo jet boat uncovered for one summer here in St. Petersburg and the sun trashed the dashboard, vinyl, guages, switches, etc. Definetly cover it.

 

[fwebster]

Look at the center consoles up close and you quickly see that those in Florida are fishing boats and the owners don't care if they are shiney, sun-faded, oxidized, look like crap or not......as long as they catch fish, they don't care.

Sun takes a toll on canvas, upholstery and gelcoat. Be sensible with the mooring cover......if the forcast is for rain, cover the boat. If you get the usual Florida forecast, i.e. partly cloudy, chances of an afternoon thunder shower 30% or less, then I wouldn't worry about it unless you know you are not going out the next day.

The other factor it might help to know is that Sea Ray builds these boats to be used. There is very little than a rain shower is going to damage on one unless it just gets soaked for hours. I've been a part time boater in Florida for 25 years and one thing I do and a lot of my friends on the Gulf Coast do is to have a good canvas shop make a snap-on water proof, but breathable cover for the dash panel so your controls, switches, instruments, and electronics stay dry. If you leave the boat uncovered a lot of the time, remember to keep a good protective wax on the gelcoat..........

ENjoy boating in paradise and don't make it harder than it needs to be.

 

[Lidokey]

Frank

I like your idea of having a cover made to cover the dash panel. That could be used occasionally to cheat for a day or two and not install the entire canvas set. I'll check that out.
FYI, thanks to all those who responded to my newbie question, I bought a couple of tubes of PFTE lubricant and applying that has made removing and installing the canvas MUCH easier. Cliff, who suggested the "snap on-snap off" tool also had a big impact. I now do the canvas "round trip" in about a third of the time. Great feedback from everyone. Thanks.

 

[randmhall]

We use a mooring cover on ours, mail ordered it as an exact fit cover from Overtons.

The cover came with straps to tie it to the trailer, but I got some canvas and made 7 pound sandbags to hook on instead. You dont even have to take the sandbags off, we just use two people to roll it up, and then put it on the dock when we are out. Takes less than 5 minutes to cover or uncover.

The cover has a drawstring to snug it under the rubrail, and it hasnt come off yet, even with some pretty strong thunderstorms and wind.

 

[OldSkool]

I've noticed that when I cover OldSkool and shes damp there is a lot of mold that appears. Seems the heat and moister are breeding grounds for mold. My canvas is rubber reinforced so little ventilation happens even when using spacer blocks between the canvas and hull. Is there a breathable canvas that still repels water?

 

[GJarrett]

Another thing I do to protect the seats is spray some 303 Aerospace Protectant on them - it has an SPF factor of 40. Keep the boat covered and use that stuff, and your seats will stay in new condition forever.

 

[Phlorida]

I've noticed that when I cover OldSkool and shes damp there is a lot of mold that appears. Seems the heat and moister are breeding grounds for mold. My canvas is rubber reinforced so little ventilation happens even when using spacer blocks between the canvas and hull. Is there a breathable canvas that still repels water?

Sunbrella fabric is designed to breath. My cover is made of it and I have no moisture issues.

 

[Lidokey]

GJarrett
That is a great suggestion. I used the 303 product on pool deck furniture sunbrella cushions 2 years ago and they are still waterproof today. The rain literally rolls off of them. I've had great luck with the product. With an SPF 40, it sounds like a great way to preserve vinyl cushions on boats. I will give it a try. Might be worth spraying it on my bimini tops as well. Thanks.

Lidokey

 

[Bama Boater]

I am on Lake Guntersville/TN river and even though its hot I cover everytime. I can tell the covers are starting to fade. I have had to replace bungee cords and snaps. Velcro will be next ...but I figure it's a lot cheaper than seats, carpets, etc. My interior looks new.

 

[Lidokey]

FRANK

Probably you won't every see this response, but as a "newbee" boater, now 6 months along, I have to say that your response now makes the most sense to me. I did what you suggested and your advice has been great. Thanks!

 

[Quint4]

I say we rename the site "Club Frank".

 

[kaz911]

As I have just about zero rain ... I'm looking for an ULTRA lightweight UW protective material to keep the sun off. Sunbrella is heavy - so does any of you have a recommendation?