Trouble with bow cover while trailering.

[jryan15]

Hello all, I've got a 2004 sea ray 220 select bow rider. I bought the boat used last year and have always trailered with the covers on. I'm now noticing that bow cover fabric is harshly rubbing on both sides of the open bow. I've tested with and without the center support pole and both result in fabric fibers peppered all over the one region.

I was curious if anyone has any recommendations. I considered trailering without the covers, but none of my seat cushions have locking straps to keep them from blowing out, and I would prefer not to have to stow it all in the car.

Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[earlandamys180]

Not for sure what to do about the cover rubbing and the layout of your bow, but I have a 1998 180 Bowrider and my bow cushions do not have locking straps either and I trailer mine down the highway at 70mph without my cover and they have never moved at all.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I'm not understanding you completely about what's going on, but, if the cover is tight it won't rub or come apart. When the cover is loose, it flaps in the wind. Other than that, maybe the cover material has outlived it's usefulness?

 

[avguy]

Other than that, maybe the cover material has outlived it's usefulness?

Our cover does that now......it's deteriorating. It gets covered with the fibers just sitting in the driveway. Get out your billfold :smt009

 

[uraldyx]

I trailered my '99 210 for the first time with the covers on last week and found fibers as well, though mine are the original covers. I only left the covers on because I was picking the boat up and heading to the lake instead of preparing it at home. I prefer to trailer without the covers just to keep wear and tear to a minimum. We took a week long trip the last 2 summers and trailered the boat 500 miles round trip each time with the covers off and never had the bow cushions or the back bench seat move at all. I drive between 70 and 75 mph most of the way. They do not snap down in any way but do fit tight.

 

[wish2fish]

I have a 2003 220 and don't have the problem you describe. My covers are in very good shape and I tow with the front cover only.

You can tow with no covers but be sure to close windsheild and door that separates the bow from the cockpit. That rear seat cushion wll blow out if you let the wind run through the boat.

 

[avguy]

That rear seat cushion wll blow out if you let the wind run through the boat.

Lost one of our rear cushions just last weekend. I didn't even know it was gone when a good samaritan pulled up next to us & said he just dodged a cushion in the road that looked like it might belong to us. Went back & picked it up & other than a little road rash on the bottom side was in good shape. First time I've ever had an issue like that with this boat.

 

[chuck1]

The only time I do not have the covers on when towing is when I just going down to the local lake running about 45mph. I've towed all over the place at hwy speeds with the covers on and never had a problem.