Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

[a2dubnut]

Hey everyone,
I've done a search - and failed - and need opinions/advice -
My wife and I just purchased slip space for the season and will be putting in this weekend at the marina.
My Question here is simple. I have a Double Bimini top with full sides from transom to windshield ('26 foot Wellcraft Cabin Cruiser). The boat didn't have any other form of mooring cover when I bought it, so my question is this...
Does anyone have a boat that they leave at the marina with the Bimini and Sides up only? Or do you have a separate Mooring cover that you put in place when she's docked and you head home?
I live over an hour away from the marina, and would prefer not to have to fish her off the bottom.
What setup's do you run? What works well? What doesn't?
Thanks!
-Jim

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

Sounds like you have what is commonly referred to as a 'camper top'. It's OK to leave up but the uV rays will kill it firly quickly, and those are usually custom made and expensive to replace.

 

[Malibu Rudder]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

I prefer to cover my boat with a custom mooring cover after every outing. I do not leave my bimini out as the sun will fade it faster while i am just docked. I prefer to tuck the bimini back into her boot and cover the entire boat as long as she is dry.

 

[a2dubnut]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

Sun fade - hmm - hadn't thought of that.
I'm reading a lot on the 303 waterproofer - is there any UV resistance to it? *I'm not looking to cheap out - just gaining knowledge*

 

[Chris N]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

If your top is "Sunbrella" it should be fairly resistant to UV rays and last for more than ten years. I don't have any experience with any other type of material because we've always had "Sunbrella" tops. We leave the camper canvas up all year long with a few towels placed strategically if we know we won't be visiting the boat for a few days. And after the 5 year warranty expires we re waterproof it once a year. Those mooring covers were very expensive when we priced them out, I think they were almost half the price of the whole camper style top. This IS Canada though.

 

[I Fish]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

Hey everyone,
I have a Double Bimini top with full sides from transom to windshield ('26 foot Wellcraft Cabin Cruiser). The boat didn't have any other form of mooring cover when I bought it, so my question is this...
Does anyone have a boat that they leave at the marina with the Bimini and Sides up only?

This, and 2 automatic bilge pumps are what we use. Look around at your marina and I'd bet this is what a lot of others are using too. Just make sure one bilge pump is set up a little higher than the other, so, If one fails, you have a built in back-up.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

303 and several other protectants have UV protection in them. The biggest problem is with the Eisenglas getting yellow or brittle.

 

[I Fish]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

The biggest problem is with the Eisenglas getting yellow or brittle.

You can have roll-up or zipper covers made for that.

 

[gtochris]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

I dont think you want a mooring cover for a 26ft cabin cruiser... That is just a ton of fabric and alot of work!

If the current situation with the camper top doesnt fit your needs, you can get a cockpit cover made, simple snap on cover that goes around the area you occupy in the back and over the windshield.

 

[a2dubnut]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

I'll have to take a look at the eisenglas - I'm not sure if the sides already have the roll-ups built in - but that's a good idea if they don't.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

A mooring cover for a cabin or express cruiser doesn't cover the entire boat- like gtochris said, it covers the cockpit and snaps over the windshield. If you have one made, a cover that snaps along the top of the windshield is alot easier to use than one that covers the WS and snaps along the bottom of it. I had mine changed to the first type when I had the new one made. If you want to rotect the dash from UV, throw a towel over it.

I have both- full bimini with enclosure and a fitted mooring cover. Both are brand new as of last year. The mooring cover cost me about 1/3 what the new camper canvas did. I'll let the elements attack the mooring cover.

My .02

 

[MikeM8560]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

I'll have to take a look at the eisenglas - I'm not sure if the sides already have the roll-ups built in - but that's a good idea if they don't.

not a huge problem in PA but down here in florida we make window cover to protech the vinyl windows and keep cool inside

 

[MikeM8560]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

A mooring cover for a cabin or express cruiser doesn't cover the entire boat- like gtochris said, it covers the cockpit and snaps over the windshield. If you have one made, a cover that snaps along the top of the windshield is alot easier to use than one that covers the WS and snaps along the bottom of it. I had mine changed to the first type when I had the new one made. If you want to rotect the dash from UV, throw a towel over it.

yes reaching the snap at the base of a windshield can be hard im 6'4" and still have trouble on say a 40 footer , but ive been in the buisnedd for many years and ive seem brand new boat that when drilling for snaps just below the windshield had water escape, water that entered in the bottom rubber of the window and got in the screws that mount the windshield frame to the boat.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

I get your point, Mike. My boat is now 17 years old and didn't spend a whole lot of time covered before I bought it. There might be infiltration in the winshield channel, but there are no leaks into the cabin.

If the OP is young and spry a full windshield cover is probably a marginally better choice. I'll tell you, though, draping myself over the windshield to snap the old cover down was a royal pain, to the point that I'd sometimes leave it off just because I was too tired at the end of the day to deal with it.

My .02

 

[JJwithaSearay]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

Very helpful thread. I have 27 ft well craft that we bought last year. Full camper cover is to much. Just need something to keep bugs and dirt out. The snap on cockpit cover should be perfect. Anyone know where you can buy retail? Or is custom the only way.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Mooring Cover vs. Full Double Bimini with Sides

Very helpful thread. I have 27 ft well craft that we bought last year. Full camper cover is to much. Just need something to keep bugs and dirt out. The snap on cockpit cover should be perfect. Anyone know where you can buy retail? Or is custom the only way.

Custom. You won't find one off the shelf.