Does anyone have a boat cover that perfectly fits your boat. The other question I have is does anyone have a boat cover that also covers the outboard? I saw a malibu Flight craft with a cover that also covered the outboard and it was really sweet!
I got a cheap boat cover on clearance for about $80. It's on it's second season now, and I've only had to do one repair where I pulled too hard. It covers the entire boat, motor, and has enough in the front that I can even cover my spare tire with it. I'm working on learning to make various covers currently (already made a grill cover and two air conditioner covers) so I can hopefully make a new boat cover over the winter.
I had a custom cover built for mine at a local canvas shop. It wasn't cheap ($850.00) but they did an excellent job. I had them cover the motor, and unlike my old "Barefoot Hydrodyne" I also had them cover the rope guard. I had them install snaps..a belly cord...and loops to match up with the stainless steel eyes on the trailer deck for using bungee's on a long haul. Bob
I make my own covers. I have a couple of Consew 206RB-5 walking foot sewing machines. One at home and one at my daughter's place. These are upholstery machines. I have made 3 covers and upholstered one boat and both machines are paid for. 80-90% of the cost is labor. There are pictures of her cover and mine on the site along with pictures of my seats. It is not hard and you get exactly what you want. My covers are lined transport covers. The last one I made had a seperate engine cover. Making a cover that covers the engine would not be hard, but it would have a lot of air drag when towing. jim
The 18 is so simple the first cover might take you a weekend. My first cover was made by a tent maker in a couple of hours. That included leather reinforcements on the inside at the wear points. I use leather and heavy vinyl for the same purpose. jim
RiverRat, That's what I'm currently using. I have a very lightweight nylon cover with only elastic sewn in at the bottom to keep the dust off the boat when it's in the garage. It's a snap to put on, and would probably blow off in a big wind, but being in the garage it's no problem. I use the one pictured while trailering and if I plan on keeping the boat in the water over night. The dust cover I use is one of those universal fits-alls and is fairly inexpensive. Bob
I guess I was kind of thinking more like your travel cover for a good storage cover, and a low profile, tight fitting, doesn't cover the motor, travel cover. Your cover does look nice, but I would prefer to not have that extra sail going down the road.
My boat lives in the garage, and I do not cover it. When we go out skiing there are usually several skiers climbing in and out. They deposit quite a bit of water on the floor. The water makes its way into the bilge and although I open the plug after each use, not all of the water drains out. I usually park the boat in the sun to let it dry out the floor and the bilge after each use, or after a period of use. Sometimes I sponge out the bilge. If I put it away with the floor wet it can take a week or two to dry out even uncovered. A cover would slow this process down even more. I would rather deal with the dust. The moisture will eventually cause the floor to rot. If you have a back seat, that area may not dry out even in the sun. jim
Bob, Did you have to make any modifications to the cover since you went with a taller mirror this year?
