Westland semi-custom cover on 18' pontoon ?'s

[Cornphlake]

Hello everyone,

I purchased this cover:
http://boatcovers.iboats.com/Tracker_Marine/Party_Barge_%281999-2005%29_Westland-P9618/6437/?**********=933072217&*******=796839068
and received it yesterday. My buddy and I put the cover on and I have a few questions for anyone who has used these covers before. I can already tell it's going to be a "you get what you pay for" experience, but it's already better than the temporary tarp we were using.

So the instructions still left me with a few questions. I get the process... Step 1-cover boat... Step 2-tie down.

There are tiedown loops on 3 sides of the cover. There is one side with nothing, and the side opposite that with the tiedowns also has a drawstring pull. Does the drawstring go to the front or the back? We put it to the back because we were tired of messing with it and that's the way it seemed to fit best.

I get the tiedowns and even the drawstring, but it just seems like common sense to put tiedown loops all the way around.

One more quick question. We still need to get the boat cover support system. I have two immediate options to me: Bass Pro or West Marine. Do either of these stores usually carry a support system in stock that's worth the purchase, or can someone recommend one to me from another vendor? I was planning to run out today on my lunch break. From what I gather by looking, this will be a 2 pole system with support straps that run out to the outer edge.

Thank you everyone for your time!!
-Russ

 

[lncoop]

Re: Westland semi-custom cover on 18' pontoon ?'s

I had a similar one and it was designed to cinch up in the back. It worked pretty well once I got the support system, but it can't compare to a custom made cover. You just snap it on, put the push poles under it and you're all set. You're probably looking at $800, at least around here, but it will be good for ten years if it's well made. Compare that to $200-$400 every couple of years for a semi-custom and it starts to make sense pretty quick. If you plan on keeping the rig for a long time you'll have it, or if you plan on selling it in the near future it will help you out in that regard. Any way, back to the question at hand; Here is the one I used. It did a very good job of supporting the cover and preventing puddling. Just be careful not to overtighten the straps or they will break in a matter of weeks. Apparently I have a problem with that sort of thing. Anger issues maybe? Who knows. Good luck! Oh yeah. Welcome to iboats. It's the coolest!

 

[Cornphlake]

Re: Westland semi-custom cover on 18' pontoon ?'s

Very cool, draw strings to the back. Thank you very much!!

I didn't get a change to get out to a shop today, we got fajitas brought in for lunch I didn't see a pic or link come through for the support system you're talking about.

I'm taking the boat out tomorrow after work anyway so I'll try to run out tomorrow.

Thanks man!!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Westland semi-custom cover on 18' pontoon ?'s

Very cool, draw strings to the back. Thank you very much!!

I didn't get a change to get out to a shop today, we got fajitas brought in for lunch I didn't see a pic or link come through for the support system you're talking about.

I'm taking the boat out tomorrow after work anyway so I'll try to run out tomorrow.

Thanks man!!

Probably because I forgot to put it in there. Sorry 'bout that.:redface: Here ya go.
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_74967____SearchResults