Professional Boat Cover Reviews ?

[Taxus812]

Using the discussions here on winterizing I was able to weasel in a Westland Custom Cover in sumbrella fabric (iboats has the best price BTW).

Prior to purchase, I didn't really find much in the way of reviews on covers or fabrics outside of the manufacturers info and simple blurbs on individuals purchases. I was looking for how particular covers\materials performed in SNOW, SUN, RAIN etc. How does the stiching hold up.

Are there any sites that have this information ?

 

[ricohman]

Re: Professional Boat Cover Reviews ?

I find owners reviews more helpfull than the info that the maker supplies.
Even the best covers can be ruined outside in the winter as there are so many variables when it comes to climate and storage, wind ect.
I went with Sunbrella this time as I have seen how it performs. I won't buy a cheap cover again.

 

[Taxus812]

Re: Professional Boat Cover Reviews ?

Perhaps we should introduce zones for covers performance. (National Gardening Association)
Such as this is a region 5 cover (northeast) or a zone 11 cover (Since Florida covers deal with very different issues than new England.)

 

[moosehead]

Re: Professional Boat Cover Reviews ?

I aint a professional, but my new Westland Sharkskin cover is tremendous. Great fit including tower and extended swim platform, well designed strap system, vents, and feels bombproof. It will only get used as a winter stowage cover in garage, but with added underhull straps it coukd also be towed.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Professional Boat Cover Reviews ?

I aint a professional, but my new Westland Sharkskin cover is tremendous. Great fit including tower and extended swim platform, well designed strap system, vents, and feels bombproof. It will only get used as a winter stowage cover in garage, but with added underhull straps it coukd also be towed.

I agree with the zones idea.
Take the cover pictured above. It fits well and moosehead is happy with it. But one winter where I live could very well leave it in tatters.
Early freezing rain, then snow, and 50mph winds with -45 temps quicky destroy the best covers. Here, a wrapped boat is the best option outside. Lots of guys lay a heavy tarp over a well supported cover and tie it securely. I hate winter.
Good thing its only 9 months.....

 

[moosehead]

Re: Professional Boat Cover Reviews ?

^Agree with richoman, a mooring cover is no match for winter. I wouldn't leave a boat outside in winter climates without a robustly tented tarp and/or tented shrinkwrap.

Note: While we also get a bunch of successive below zero F temps in Colorado above 8,300' elevation, here the sun punishes much more severely. The prior owner of our boat used his OEM mooring cover for outside trailer storage during the boating season only, and the sun destroyed it (nearly identical to the new one pictured above). That said, it did its job by taking the hit, as the tonneau canvas and the boat interior stayed pristine.

 

[Taxus812]

Re: Professional Boat Cover Reviews ?

Where as a custom Sunbrella cover should hold up to our winter and summer here in CT ,Zone 5 (per manufacture, dealers and locals ) on my size/style boat.

Average annual snowfall 48", January low 17*F, Extreme Min -10*F