Importance of Boat Covers!!

21 January 2009 No Comment

Ok… so you have bought the boat of your dreams and use it unsparingly (at least initially). So what happens after you are done taking her for a run?? The boat has been left on the waters probably to feel the brunt of the harsh weather conditions like the sun, rain, wind, water and also the timely bird droppings.

Boat covers help protect your boat from such intense conditions which eventually help in the overall maintenance and good upkeep of your boat. Below are some tips which should be kept in mind while choosing a boat cover for your boat.

There are three main styles of boat covers – Custom, Semi-Custom, and Universal or Tarps.
Custom covers are specifically designed for a year, make and model of boat. Custom covers fall into two types – snap-on style and tie-down style. This tip reviews the tie-down style, which is more common as an aftermarket cover. The cover accommodates the boat’s size, shape, and options, with reinforcements at critical wear points. You can expect custom covers to “fit like a glove” on your boat and work well for tailoring, storing, and mooring.

Semi-Custom covers are designed to fit various styles of boats, i.e. bass boats, deck boats, runabouts, tournament ski boats, etc. Therefore, one semi-custom bass boat cover may fit several different makes and models of boats of similar size. You can expect semi-custom covers to fit looser, with a more generous amount of fabric to accommodate accessories or small size differences between makes and models. These covers typically have application for tailoring, storage, and mooring.

Universal covers are usually cut to accommodate a wide range of boats similar to a one-size-fits-all concept. Also known as “shower-cap covers,” these covers are best suited for light-duty or dust cover use and work well for their intended purpose. However, it’s a mistake to try and use universal covers for tailoring or heavy weather protection. Tarps are not recommended as a suitable boat cover.

Weather – Weather conditions play a vital role in determining the type of boat cover applicable for your boat. If you are situated in a sunny and dry climate, the boat would ideally require a good boat cover which also provides UV protection which in the long run helps keep the colors of the boat fresh for a longer period.

Humid weather requires boat covers which provide outside reasonable amount of air within the boat as well as provides a mildew resistance. Boats facing rainfalls require strong and thick boat covers which can keep the boat waterproof at all times.

One size does not fit all. Different boats have different LOA and Beam therefore boat covers have to be chosen depending upon the size of the boat. The type of boat is also to be kept in mind. Flat Nose, fishing boats, dual console boats, ribs, runabouts, powerboats etc. are different types of boats having different type of area space. E.g. A flat nose boat would require a smaller size of cover as compared to a cabin style boat.

We hope you enjoyed reading this post. If there is any subject (boating related) on which you require details, feel free to write into us at info@giirayachts.com