Sharkskin Exact Fit Covers...?

[Starcraft1709owner]

Hi Everyone - I have sticker shock from pricing out custom made mooring covers from local canvas shops. $700 is the minimum for my 17', outboard-powered Starcraft open bow runabout. While I would like the convenience of a custom fit canvas cover with bungee snaps, I am curious about a brand of covers sold on several websites, such as *********, the Exact Fit Sharkskin Covers by Covermate. The buyer orders them for his/her specific boat and it supposedly fits that model. They advertise it as being trailerable. It appears as though the straps are secured to the trailer.

The cost is about $320.

Here's a link to the cover for my boat:

http://www.********.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Exact-Fit-Covermate-Sharkskin-Boat-Cover-For-STARCRAFT-1709&i=78871&r=view&aID=601A1&cID=SHOPZLLA_78871

Any thoughts on an "aftermarket" cover like this? Are they durable? Easy to use? More trouble than the cost savings are worth? Please share.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Sharkskin Exact Fit Covers...?

Iboats doesn't allow links to the websites of many competitors, so your link has been edited and not usable. How about finding the equivalent here: Boat Covers - iboats

 

[airshot]

Re: Sharkskin Exact Fit Covers...?

In my limited experience with over the counter boat covers they have been more trouble than they are worth. I have always planned ahead to get my covers done at the end of the season (christmas time) at a very reduced cost. Have also been fortunate enough to find people that do covers as a side line out of their home, viewed some of their work, talked to some customer references and have always had a good cover that fit well. Attatching all those "trailering straps" on the u-fit-all covers is a real pain and if they flap in the breeze it voids your warranty.

Airshot

 

[Opnine99]

Re: Sharkskin Exact Fit Covers...?

check here on iboats.........very reasonable prices and same brand your looking for.....

 

[Starcraft1709owner]

Re: Sharkskin Exact Fit Covers...?

Thanks for the info so far. Yes, I see iBoats offers the same cover for about the same price. Local place will make a cover for $745. That includes a 7 year warranty and a guarantee that the boat will not need to be shrink wrapped in the winter. If that's the case, that will justify the price. By the way, we get a lot of snow here (100" annually).

 

[Starcraft1709owner]

Re: Sharkskin Exact Fit Covers...?

Here's the cover option on iBoats...

Starcraft Marine by Starcraft 1709 Boat Cover O/B (O/B Hood Not Included) (1994 - 1998) Westland Custom Boat Cover #SF71017 - iboats

 

[Old Don]

Re: Sharkskin Exact Fit Covers...?

I bought one of the Westland covers from iboats a couple of years ago. Couldn't be happier with the fit. It was perfect. Even had reinforcement where the boat builder had cleats, ladder and lights installed. Even after 2 years, it still looks almost new. Westland really does a good job.