Boat cover question

[jonas grumby]

I'm considering a fitted cover for my 1801. I have 17 water oaks in my yard and fall is on its way. I trailer my boat once a week pretty much year-round and cover it only during the fall months, tree debris can be a royal pain. I currently utilize 2 tarps w/ bungee cords (one on the hull one on the engine) but they can be somewhat combersome during install/ removal as well as stowage. Is a fitted cover easier to handle and is it worth it to spend the money? The tarps work pretty well, sometimes during a blow, debris makes it into the boat and settles at the transome. Robin sent me a link to a manufacturer and their prices weren't too bad $220 - $320 depending on material type. :?:

 

[hakr]

Jonas:

I don't know if this will help:

My 21' Parker with a "semi-fitted" cover. Because of the height of my trailer, it is a pain in the ass to put the cover on and take it off, because you have to be up in the boat to do either. But...it keeps the boat pretty clean between uses, and keeps the damned UV off it, too. It takes me about 10 minutes to take the cover off and about 25 to put it on and tie it down. I keep the front of the trailer up a little so any water that gets in drains right out.

 

[Megabyte]

I had a semi-fitted cover on my previous boat that I got from http://www.boatcoversdirect.com/
This photo was taken just after Hurricane Isabel passed us.

 

[skipperhub]

The really expensive covers are often designed for towing. The material used will determine how resistant it is to mildew and rot or sun damage.
I paid fifty bucks for a cover for an 18 foot bow rider that lasted three seasons and disintigrated. Now that was six years ago so they are more now at Walmart.
There is a happy medium in there somewhere and it should be well below the three hundred dollar mark.
I found a plastic cover big enough to cover my2520 and it is to heavy to handle!
Storing your boat under plastic can cause other problems. Particularly mildew.
The best deal when there is space available is a hard top you can back under. No rain, no tree limbs or drippings and no damaging UV rays.

Skipper Hub