Custom Boat Covers Buyer's Guide

Custom Boat Covers

Patterned and tailored for the specific make, model, and year of the boat.

The best-fitting covers available.

Sewn-in reinforcements at critical wear points.

More fabric options available for custom covers.

Designed for storing, mooring, and trailering.

When purchasing a custom boat cover, you will need to know the exact Make, Model and Year of your boat.

Note: Any after-market accessory that has been installed on your boat may influence the way the cover fits. Please check the cover title & description to ensure the custom cover will work for your boat. Refer to "Will the Cover Fit If...?" for additional information.

Semi-Custom Boat Cover Buyer's Guide

Semi-Custom Boat Covers

Designed to fit a certain style of boat - bass boat, deck boat, tournament ski boat, etc.

Good fit at a lower price point.

Designed for storage and mooring.

Most fabrics and styles also designed for trailering.

Note: Any after-market accessory that has been installed on your boat may influence the way the cover fits. Refer to "Will the Cover Fit If...?" for additional information.

Boat Cover Fabric Guide

Covers are made in a wide range of fabrics such as cotton, mixed blends, polyester, and acrylic.

When deciding upon the type of fabric for your cover, choose the fabric that is best suited for the weather it will face.

For humid climates, choose a fabric that breathes well and has a high mildew resistance rating.

For climates with snow or heavy rain, choose a fabric that has a high water repellency rating.

For dry or hot climates, choose a fabric with a high UV protection rating.

How To Care For Your Boat Cover

Avoid letting water, snow or other materials like leaves and sticks to stand on covers. Using support poles, straps, or bows is a great way to help with this.

Always tie boat covers down securely.

Add padding to windshields, trolling motors, depth finders, etc. before installing to avoid tears and rips.

Always allow the cover to dry thoroughly before folding for storage.

Clean at least once a year with warm water and mild soap (do not dry clean or place cover in a washing machine or dryer).

Apply a water repellency and UV protection solution once a year.

Marine Engines & Boat Covers

Outboard vs. Sterndrive vs. Inboard - Does it matter?

Outboard (O/B) - Removable engine mounted to the transom of the boat.

Sterndrive or Inboard/Outdrive (I/O) - Permanent engine mounted on stern of boat with portion of engine (the outdrive) in the water.

Inboard (I/B) - Permanent engine mounted in the center / stern of boat with only the propeller shaft exposed to water.

Choose the right cover for your engine!

The cover for an outboard motor (O/B) will typically not fit a boat with a sterndrive (I/O) engine.

Depending on the style of your boat, you will likely be given an option to select a cover made for either an outboard motor (O/B) or for a sterndrive (I/O) engine.

The sterndrive cover should be used for both sterndrive (I/O) boats and (I/B) boats.

How To Measure Your Centerline Length

Centerline Length Quick Tips:

To measure the centerline length, stand inside the boat and run a measuring tape from "tip to tip" (tip of the bow to tip of the transom) through the center of the boat. Note: Do not measure up and around the windshield - measure straight through the center of the boat.

Add the length of any installed accessories that should be covered by the boat cover (such as bow pulpits, jack plates, and extended swim platforms) to the centerline length.

Example - A boat has a centerline length of 22 feet. A bow pulpit that measures 3 feet in length is installed on the boat. For the cover to fit properly, the correct centerline length for the boat would now be 25 feet (original centerline length + length of bow pulpit).

You can also look-up your boat’s centerline length by using our Boat Manufacturer Reference Guide.

How to measure your boat's beam

Boat Beam Quick Tips

The beam of your boat is the width at the widest part of the boat.

To measure the beam, stand inside the boat and run a measuring tape from the port (left) side to the starboard (right) side at the widest section of your boat.

You can also look up your boat's beam by using our Boat Manufacturer Reference Guide.

Dealing with Cover Fit Details

Will the cover fit if...?

Any after-market accessory that has been installed on your boat, may influence the way the cover fits. Below are the most common add-ons:

Wakeboard or Ski Towers

Custom covers are available for many model years with factory towers. Please check the cover name to ensure the custom cover will work for your tower. To find a custom boat cover, click here and select your boat manufacturer.

If a custom-fit is not available for your boat or you have an after-market tower, find Semi-Custom Wakeboard and Ski Tower Boat Covers.

T-Tops

iboats.com offers two different styles of T-Top Boat Covers.

ENDURACover T-Top Covers cover the boat and the T-Top completely.

Taylor Made T-Top Covers cover the boat and secure up and underneath the T-Top to protect the center console.

Bimini Tops

Our boat covers will accommodate most bimini tops that can collapse and lay flat against the boat. We do not offer covers with cutouts for non-collapsible bimini tops.

Bow Pulpit/Anchor Davit

Custom covers are available for many model years with factory bow pulpits and anchor davits. Please check the cover name to ensure the custom cover will accommodate these accessories. To find a custom boat cover, click here and select your boat manufacturer.

If a custom-fit is not available for your boat or you have an after-market bow pulpit or anchor davit, try a semi-custom cover. To find the best fit, add the length of the bow pulpit or anchor davit to the centerline length when selecting the boat length.

Example: A boat has a centerline length of 22 feet. A bow pulpit that measures 3 feet in length is installed on the boat. For the cover to fit properly, the correct centerline length for the boat would now be 25 feet.

Extended Swim Platform

Custom covers are available for many model years with factory swim platforms. Please check the cover name to ensure the custom cover will accommodate the swim platform. To find a custom boat cover, click here and select your boat manufacturer.

If a custom-fit is not available for your boat or you have an after-market swim platform, try a semi-custom cover. To find the best fit, add the length of the swim platform to the centerline length when selecting the boat length.

Example: A boat has a centerline length of 22 feet. A swim platform that measures 3 feet in length is installed on the boat. For the cover to fit properly, the correct centerline length for the boat would now be 25 feet.

Jack Plate

Custom covers are available for many model years with factory jack plates. Please check the cover name to ensure the custom cover will accommodate the jack plate. To find a custom boat cover, click here and select your boat manufacturer.

If a custom-fit is not available for your boat or you have an after-market jack plate, try a semi-custom cover. To find the best fit, add the length of the jack plate to the centerline length when selecting the boat length.

Example: A boat has a centerline length of 22 feet. A jack plate that measures 6 inches in length is installed on the boat. For the cover to fit properly, the correct centerline length for the boat would now be 22 feet 6 inches.

Kicker Motor (Secondary Motor)

Our boat covers are not made to cover kicker motors. However, the cover will likely fit over the kicker motor. If not, you will need to remove the kicker motor while the cover is on.

Electric Trolling Motor

Most of our boat covers will accommodate electric trolling motors as long as the motor is in the stored position with the shaft running parallel to the transom.

Non-Standard Equipment

Some boat manufacturers offer non-standard equipment such as extra high bow rails, windscreens or extra tall center consoles. Please read the "Cover Details" on the particular cover you are viewing to ensure the cover pattern will accommodate these features.

Boat Cover Tie Down Kits

The Simple Way to Secure Your Boat Cover

Tie-down kits (strap kits) are used to secure the cover to a trailer or lift.

Many new covers come with the tie-down kits included!

Please check the cover description to see if straps are included or if a tie-down kit will need to be purchased separately.

Note: Each cover brand offers their own tie-down kits to work with their specific covers and can not be used interchangeably.

Boat Cover Support Poles

Extend the life of your boat cover!

Support poles are a great way to keep rain and snow from collecting on your cover. In general, it is recommended to purchase 2 poles to support the cover - typically 1 pole in the front of the boat and 1 pole in the back.

Note: Most cover manufacturer's warranties require the boat cover to be supported by 1 or more poles.

Vented Support Poles

Support pole with a vent.

Increase air-flow into the boat preventing the potential for mold build-up.

Recommended specifically for cover fabrics that contain polyester.

Non-Vented Support Poles

Support pole without a vent.

Recommended for cover fabrics that contain cotton.

Boat Cover Cincher

The Quick Way to Tighten Your Boat Cover

Use a cincher to tighten and secure the draw rope, preventing it from coming loose.

Note: Each cover brand offers their own cincher to work with their specific covers.

Boat Cover Reinforcement Kits

Protect Your Boat Cover

Reinforcement kits can be used to add extra padding to the underside of the cover to protect it from stress points.

Stress Points Include:

windshields

cleats

electronic brackets

trolling motors

etc...