Boat Cover Weights??????

[Tea Bag]

I bought a nice boat cover from Overtons. Anyway its for a 25' cabin cruiser. Right now the boat is sitting in my drivway on a trailer, so covering it using the straps provided is not a prob. I am going to be keeping it in a wet slip starting in May. I want to use the cover so whats the best way to hold it down? I have heard of 2 ways. One is using weights in a bag and hang them from the cover. <----Question do they make weight "bags" with a lanyard with a male clip on them that slides into the pre-exisiting female clip? I have also heard of suction cup things that hook onto the cover somewhere and then suction to the side of the boat. I have never had nor believe too much in suction cups beacuse my experience with them is sooner or later they lose suction and fall off. Please elaborate on these as to what you use, seen, where to get, or any different ideas. Also the suction cup devices would need to have that male clip on the other end so they can attatch to the cover. Any help or comments are appreciated.

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat Cover Weights??????

you really need a mooring cover.

 

[UnregisteredUser]

Re: Boat Cover Weights??????

+1 on the mooring cover. I tried to find a good example, hopefully you can see that this one has a rope that tightens around the boat and does not need to be tied down to anchors.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Boat Cover Weights??????

I agree, a mooring cover is the only way to go. Anything else will just cause aggravation and possible just float down stream when it's most needed.

 

[arks]

Re: Boat Cover Weights??????

I bought a nice boat cover from Overtons.

As mentioned- what you bought was a storage cover, not a mooring cover. As far as suction cups- well, they "suck" at holding a tarp for more than a couple days- I've tried.

I am going to be keeping it in a wet slip starting in May. I want to use the cover so whats the best way to hold it down?

OK.... you know it's not the proper cover, but if you insist on trying it, there might be a way. I have no personal experience with this product. It's called the "Swivel Clip Tarp Weight Bottle Cap Attachment"- basically a plastic clip with a soda bottlecap on the bottom. Here's a description and pictures:

"The Swivel Clip Tarp Weight clamps onto any tarp, poly or other sheet material. The bottle cap attachment allows the user to convert used 2 liter soda bottles into Weights. Simply fill with sand or water and clamp onto your tarp. Perfect for applications where tie down points are not available."

NOTE: It probably wouldn't be a good idea to fill the bottles with water for winter use!

THIS is the proper way to use a storage cover like yours:

 

[lkbum]

Re: Boat Cover Weights??????

On a previous boat, I used bungee cords attached to the dock itself. Worked pretty well. I used the plastic end bungees (so it they came loose, there would not be a metal hook scratching up the boat). My cover had eyes on it, I left the bungees on the cover all the time (the plastic ends of the bungee were large enough so that they wedged into the eye). I pulled the cover over the boat and then pulled a bungee to the dock and hooked it below the walkway. Went to the other side, once a couple were in place, i attahced the rest.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Boat Cover Weights??????

Most of my neighbors who use tarps have invested heavily in milk jugs filled with water and just tie them off.
I use bungies cords.

 

[Tea Bag]

Re: Boat Cover Weights??????

On a previous boat, I used bungee cords attached to the dock itself. Worked pretty well. I used the plastic end bungees (so it they came loose, there would not be a metal hook scratching up the boat). My cover had eyes on it, I left the bungees on the cover all the time (the plastic ends of the bungee were large enough so that they wedged into the eye). I pulled the cover over the boat and then pulled a bungee to the dock and hooked it below the walkway. Went to the other side, once a couple were in place, i attahced the rest.

thanks for the responces, I bought the bottle hooks and they seem to be fine. The cover only hangs about 2' below the top surface so the bottles wont hit the water.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Boat Cover Weights??????

i have a winter cover and a mooring cover that uses snaps every 3 feet, it does a great job. the snaps are avaiable at any good marine store, or have your current cover modified and get the snaps by a good marine tailer.