Arminius
Well-Known Member
- Oct 30, 2019
- 1,068
- Boat Info
- Bowrider 200 Select, 2003
- Engines
- 5.0L MPI, 260 hp w/Alpha 1 Drive
Last edited:
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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.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.
Thank you, that's my plan.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.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?
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.