mooring covers

[iron21]

hi,
i'm in thr process of looking for a new mooring cover. my current cover is the buttondown type but is worn and leaking. i've heard they are very expensive to replace, so ive been looking at after market tiedown mooring covers..
my question is when the boat is in the water, how are you supposed to strap down the cover? i dont get it?!? on the illustrations they always show the covers getting strapped down underneath the hull and onto the other side, which means you would have to get underneath the boat. is there something i'm missing? should i stay away from they covers?
thanks!

 

[DJ]

Re: mooring covers

The covers with straps are for towing. They can also be used for moored boats as they have a draw string on the bottom edge.

Some covers have snaps but that requires putting the male snap buttons on the boat. Some folks do not want to do that.

Have you looked at the covers here on iboats? They have as large of a selection as you will find anywhere.

 

[iron21]

Re: mooring covers

thanks for the info DJ.

i keep my boat in a slip, so i'm goin to need a "mooring cover"

will the covers with the draw string work ok for mooring? my main concern would be a storm ripping it right off the boat

 

[Chris1956]

Re: mooring covers

Iron, All the points you raise are valid. I think you need a snap down cover for mooring.

BoatUS and others sell covers which are custom made for popular boats. These will be the best price for a true custom cover. There are also semi-custom covers for a lower price, but do not fit the way the custom covers do.

if you have a simple cover now and a heavy duty sewing machine, you can buy some Sunbrella Fabric and use your old cover as a pattern for making a new cover.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: mooring covers

If I was to leave my boat in a slip, I would have a snap down cover for it.
Had one on my pontoon and it went thru some nasty weather and never had an issue with it.
If you plan on keeping the boat, get a snap down cover for it.
You will come out to the good in the long run.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: mooring covers

snap

 

[DJ]

Re: mooring covers

Snap cover is the best for mooring, in a slip.

As mentioned, iboats has a great selection and you support all this FREE advice.

 

[bozzman3]

Re: mooring covers

Doesn't a snap style mooring cover have to be custom made?I have not seen Boats selling snap style covers.Any body have any links?

 

[vess]

Re: mooring covers

I made my semi-custom cover fit as a mooring cover by making my own snaps. I purchased the cover with the around-the-hull straps as you described, and made snaps at each of the three points that the nylon straps attach to and drilled the boat where they would need to attach. The cover has an elastic cord around the perimeter, so it holds tightly to the hull, and with the snaps in place it doesn't move. It is a cheap alternative to buying the custom cover, whether it covers the entire boat or just the cockpit and bow. And I use it to trailer the boat as well, using the straps around the hull when on the road. I like it, and I think I saved a few bucks this way. Take a look at a few moored boats with full mooring covers to get an idea of what you need to do.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: mooring covers

Bozzman, Custom fit mooring covers are manufactured by BoatUS and other retailers. Second choice is to ask the OEM(or more likely a dealer of that boat's brand) if he sells them.

 

[bozzman3]

Re: mooring covers

Thanks

 

[iron21]

Re: mooring covers

has anyone seen or have experience with the "self-supporting" covers? i've seen it in person at west marine but i believe other brands make it as well. its actually plastic/elastic rods that gets inserted through the covers fabric and supports the cover to allow water-run and prevent 'pooling".. i havent actually seen it in use, but it seems interesting.. it sells for around $350.. i wanted to get some opinions before hand...
let me know what you think

 

[vess]

Re: mooring covers

Haven't seen what you are talking about, however, I would worry that the rods inside the cover would make folding and storing the cover difficult. I can fold my cover up and stash it inside the boat if I need to, without taking too much room. Maybe these new covers allow removal of the rods? Also, my support covers are fiberglass 2-piece rods, and they easily stash next to the seats without taking up too much room. I would be interested to see the new style cover.