With a full cover, do you use the poles??

[jwfoster4]

I am looking at getting a full boat cover and was wondering how it will fit. Do you put it on over the cockpit cover using the two telescoping poles to hold it up? Also, how do you deal with the bow pulpit w/ anchor? Is it normally covered too? BTW, I keep it on a trailer. Thanks.

 

[Sundancer]

The cover depends on what you buy or have made. We have a mooring cover that is on when we get home. It's used Monday - Thursday but not used for towing. The cover starts at the bottom of the windshield and covers the cockpit with a telescoping pole to keep the rain from creating a lake. The gentlemen who made it asked if we wanted it cut out so we could leave the bimini up, I said "no" since towing with the bimini rolled up and in it's jacket can still get destroyed at highway speeds. I've seen covers that cover the fiberglass out on the bow and are cut out and snap around the stanchions. That way it lays flat on the fiberglass instead of creating a huge bathtub. At the same time with the rails down the front they help let air get underneath so it stays dry without having a telescoping pole on the front. The front usually drains fairly easy. The boat we saw with the bow cover had the snaps below the gunwhale to keep water out. How the bow pulpit is constructed is totally up to you. I'd suggest covering it with either a separate piece or one that pulls on and that will hold the front down while you secure the rest of the cover.

I wouldn't suggest covering up your existing cover because it may trap more water which will create problems. It's best just to have one layer so it can repell the water and breathe.

 

[Hampton]

DEFINATELY use the poles. The cover may seem tight without them, but when it rains, it gets loose, droops, collects water, stretches, collects more water, then rips and lets all of that dirty water into the cockpit.

 

[jwfoster4]

Thanks for the responses. I would like it to be a full bow to stern cover, that bungies to the trailer for towing. I already have the windshield to stern cockpit cover, but I want a full cover to go down over the gunwales.

Anyone have any experience with the semi-custom websites like Boatcoversdirect, Coverquest, etc.?

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

I have a full cover and have to use lumber to prevent the bow area from filling up with water. I plan to fix that by buying a used weather ballon (really)... I will fill it to buldge the bow area. I think that will work better than the wood I have been using. Using the wood, I found I have to cover the ends with foam padding to prevent sharp wood edges from cutting into the fabric, especially when it gets water laying in it..

 

[wkearney99]

I'd wonder how well (if at all) something inflated would handle being rubbed against the non-skid areas of the decking. There are various methods of securing the frame that supports the cover. One I've seen is a bit of carpet glued inside cut halves of PVC. Tee fittings usually. Just position the fittings such that the frame prevents sliding. Either bungees or duct tape, presumably with another scrap of carpet underneath to prevent the adhesive from getting on the rails.