Trailering boat cover

[Arminius]

I want to cover my 20' (+2) Select 200 with the Westland/Sunbrella cover that came with it for 200 miles on road. Advice will be appreciated. The current plan is to skip the center poles that fit under the alternative snap cover. My straps have built in extra buckles which I am using to permanently attach individually cut straps to the cover. Straps are routed under, around and back up through the plastic buckles. Knot is tied in end of one foot dangling end with remainder trimmed. The dangling end is to grab and tighten when I pull over at rest area. Do I need a half hitch after each buckle? Last year I used the snap-on cover but there was wear and tear. Please tell me how you do it. Did a trial on Interstate and all looked good from cab with canvas covering bow seating area dipping down, not billowing (door is closed).

 

[Lazy Daze]

You'll want some type of support to hold the cover up. The cockpit part of the mooring cover will likely billow. Put a support under the bow, as well. If this is a general fit cover, you may have a lot of work to do to get it to fit snugly. If it's made for this boat, that helps. The whole idea is for the canvas to be taught - loose will cause wear to both the cover and the boat.

Bow and cockpit covers on that boat should work very well. What changed that they didn't?

You shouldn't need a knot in the "dangling" end to pull it tight - just grab the strap and pull. Put a half hitch right after the buckle for good measure (although it should stay without it), then secure the rest of the excess so it doesn't flap against the hull.

 

[Arminius]

I'll throw a strong rope into the back of the SUV to crisscross over the cover if billowing is an issue.

Bow and cockpit worked generally well with door closed and latched. They have reinforced holes for the support poles too. Hard to get all the snaps along windshield and I suspect my assistant gave up on one but I have never raised that issue. A snap at the back had to be replaced but this was probably another issue. I received both covers with the purchase of this boat and wanted to try the straps. Nothing has changed but the straps may be a more positive way to secure the cover while keeping my feet on the ground. Last year had me climbing into the boat alongside the road while Susan and the orchardist's wife had a pleasant conversation. Another year has passed but I am not complaining.

 

[Stingrayaxe]

You'll want some type of support to hold the cover up. The cockpit part of the mooring cover will likely billow. Put a support under the bow, as well. If this is a general fit cover, you may have a lot of work to do to get it to fit snugly. If it's made for this boat, that helps. The whole idea is for the canvas to be taught - loose will cause wear to both the cover and the boat.

Bow and cockpit covers on that boat should work very well. What changed that they didn't?

You shouldn't need a knot in the "dangling" end to pull it tight - just grab the strap and pull. Put a half hitch right after the buckle for good measure (although it should stay without it), then secure the rest of the excess so it doesn't flap against the hull.

I agree that you will want to use the support poles to keep the cover taught. I highly recommend the plastic vents that can be installed where the pole holds up the cover. Not the screw together style but the sewn in variety. They keep the pole from wearing though the cover. I took both my Carver semi-custom cover and my OEM Great Lakes two piece cover to my local canvas shop. They added two sewn in vents into each cover. $40 per cover or $20 a vent installed.
great support for trailing plus they do a nice job venting the cover.

 

[JohnnyAlpha]

I have the Westland Sunbrella cover for my 270 Sundeck. This spring I trailed it total over 1000 miles with just the straps pulled tight. I haven’t installed the vented support pole yet and didn’t experience any billowing or flapping of the cover. If you put a twist in the straps it should keep them from buzzing at highway speed.

 

[Arminius]

I have the Westland Sunbrella cover for my 270 Sundeck. This spring I trailed it total over 1000 miles with just the straps pulled tight. I haven’t installed the vented support pole yet and didn’t experience any billowing or flapping of the cover. If you put a twist in the straps it should keep them from buzzing at highway speed.

Thank you, that's my plan.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I have the Westland Sunbrella cover for my 270 Sundeck. This spring I trailed it total over 1000 miles with just the straps pulled tight. I haven’t installed the vented support pole yet and didn’t experience any billowing or flapping of the cover. If you put a twist in the straps it should keep them from buzzing at highway speed.

Are you able to see the backside of the cover while you trailer? I have seen many, MANY unsupported covers billowing. There are some covers specifically designed for use with no poles, but those are special covers with special vents sewn-in in key places to create negative air pressure under the cover. It doesn't sound like your cover, or the OP's, are that type.

Arminius, hands down, supporting the cover is the better solution. This is not a "feeling" - this is fact. When it is SUCH an easy thing to do, why would you want to go against the recommendations of more experienced boaters who are trying to help you do things right?

 

[JohnnyAlpha]

Are you able to see the backside of the cover while you trailer? I have seen many, MANY unsupported covers billowing. There are some covers specifically designed for use with no poles, but those are special covers with special vents sewn-in in key places to create negative air pressure under the cover. It doesn't sound like your cover, or the OP's, are that type.

Arminius, hands down, supporting the cover is the better solution. This is not a "feeling" - this is fact. When it is SUCH an easy thing to do, why would you want to go against the recommendations of more experienced boaters who are trying to help you do things right?

Yes, I’ve been followed by a friend with no reported problems. My Westland Sunbrella cover has two sewn in vents just aft of the windshield.

 

[Arminius]

OK, I'll get hitched up and follow the rig in Susan's car before I set out. Bowrider has two distinct areas. Strapdown Sunbrella did not come with poles and is very taut with all straps tight. My cure for billowing would be ropes across the cover anyway.
Last year I used the two-piece snap on cover with grommets and adjustable poles. The key to getting it to stay on was to keep the door to the bow seating closed and latched. I'll do that with the strap down too.
I will report back if I have a billowing problem and appreciate your advice.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Ropse across the cover can exacerbate wear.

Just out of curiosity, if the best solution (this is widely known throughout the industry - and has been for decades and decades) is to use a support system... and it's so simple to do so... why not just do it?

Johnny, that's good it wasn't billowing - but don't assume it will always do so - or that the fabric won't wear against some of the upholstery, either. The vents that Westland uses are designed for moisture control, although they may be helping in creating that negative pressure.

 

[Woody]

I just put on the factory canvas, snap all snaps, adjust the support poles up tight, and no problems.

 

[JohnnyAlpha]

Ropse across the cover can exacerbate wear.

Just out of curiosity, if the best solution (this is widely known throughout the industry - and has been for decades and decades) is to use a support system... and it's so simple to do so... why not just do it?

Johnny, that's good it wasn't billowing - but don't assume it will always do so - or that the fabric won't wear against some of the upholstery, either. The vents that Westland uses are designed for moisture control, although they may be helping in creating that negative pressure.

yes I understand that the primary reason the vents are there are for moisture but they are rearward facing scoop vents nonetheless. They will allow any pressure differential to transfer and like you mentioned their design may potentially pull a vacuum inside the cover. Like Arminius my cover is new and it fits tight Because of this I have no movement of the material at highway speed‘s. Undoubtably as the cover ages it will stretch out and potentially require support. Getting a look at the cover while it’s being towed is the best plan of attack if the cover isn’t moving it’s not wearing anything out. if you identify a problem try using a Support pole and verify that it isn’t inducing any movement. There’s no reason to over complicate this if the cover is riding fine the way you have it’s set up then there’s nothing to worry about.