Always allow the cover to dry thoroughly before folding for storage. Many vessels use a single davit to launch a boat. Boat covers have to be cinched in some fashion to the boat itself. E-MAIL. A boat policy typically won't provide coverage if you are found liable for damages that occur to another vehicle or person while you're hauling your boat. To keep your boat cover looking great much longer, make sure to support your cover using boat cover support poles. 4.5 out of 5 stars 12. Boat covers are essential for protecting your boat and ensuring it stays in great condition. For hard to reach areas, like the welts and corners, shave small pieces of wax and rub it on these areas. 98. Is there anything special I need to do to make sure my boat’s engines and systems are properly winterized while in the water?This is a question I get asked fairly often. If the boat must be left in the water, all thru-hulls, except those for cockpit drains, have to be protected by closing all seacocks and gate valves. CONDIVIDI. Shrinkwrapping is a job best left to professionals. If not, your boat could suffer a broken back. Boat Storage: What's Right for Your Boat. First of all, if you live in an area where the water around the boat is likely to freeze, see if the marina uses ice-eater pumps to keep the water around the boat circulating. The MSC Heavy Duty Waterproof Boat Cover is the ultimate all-rounder. $90.07 $ 90. A boat insurance policy, also known as hull insurance, works a lot like auto coverage. In order to be truly waterproof, a boat cover must let no water through at all, which requires some very specific characteristics. Apply your stencil to the side of the boat and use the darker colors in your camouflage palette to fill in the pattern. Clean at least once a year with warm water and mild soap (do not dry clean or place cover in a washing machine or dryer). This will prevent ice formations around the hull that could be quite damaging. That coverage may come from your auto policy. You can do the same job with a canvas or plastic tarp, as long as it never collects snow or water. Tip: Prevent debris and pooling water on your boat cover that have costly outcomes with the Camco Anti-Pooling Boat Cover Support Pole, a rugged telescoping pole that hoists your boat cover for better protection. Before considering the pros and cons of fully waterproof boat covers, it’s important to know what “fully waterproof” really means. CONDIVIDI. All rights reserved. boats.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor, Miami, FL 33131, USA. 4.4 out of 5 stars 133. If everything checks out, go ahead and stitch the seams between the panels, pressing them flat on the inside and overcasting the raw edges if you’re using canvas. The cover was purchased from Wal-Mart and it's in good condition with no rips, tears or holes. Our Patent Pending cover enables boat enthusiasts to spend less time on the dock, and more time on the water. The right cover should fit snugly, and be made for the exact year, model, and manufacturer of your boat. Therefore, you need to waterproof your boat cover. These products are available at many … My small 14' Bayliner constantly fills with water when it rains. If you’re using wax that doesn’t require heating, then simply rub it onto the material you … 07. Allow boat cover to dry thoroughly before folding for storage. Lots of fabric manufacturers say their products are waterproof but often they really mean water resistant, or sometimes water repellent. You can use a hose and a soft bristle brush for cleaning. It packages several kinds of coverage into one premium. All of the universal boat covers that we offer here at National Boat Covers are fully-trailerable. Camco Anti-Pooling Boat Cover Support Pole . And all thru-hulls, especially the ones for the c… Ed Sherman is a regular contributor to boats.com, as well as to Professional Boatbuilder and Cruising World, where he previously was electronics editor. This means the cover … How not to lower a boat into the water. Rub the block of wax onto the material until you have covered all areas. Never wash your boat cover in a machine. If your boat is bigger, additional jack stands should be in place. How much of each coverage you buy will help determine your policy’s cost: Collision coverage: Can pay to replace or repair your boat after a collision on the water. Get the boat in or out of the water safely. Use boat covers with air vents or leave space between the cover and the fastening surface to allow air access where it can circulate. Should I Cover My Boat For The Winter. Our simple roll on / roll out cover is considered to be the most user friendly cover on the market. The tarp must extend at least 1 foot past the deck all around; if the boat is any color but white, cover the entire hull, if possible, to prevent fading. These bows "tent" the boat cover up in order to let the rain run off without pooling. Generally speaking, two stands per side is only sufficient up to about 26 feet. boats.com is part of the Boats Group Network. TWEET. This definitely didn't go as planned! If your boat has thru-hulls below the waterline that can't be closed, it should be stored ashore for the winter. When water beading diminishes, we recommend the use of 303® Marine Fabric Guard after a thorough cleaning to restore the water repellency of your cover. He also is the curriculum director for the American Boat and Yacht Council. Looks like … The idea is to have a place to go and hang out with my friends during the winter months, sort of an on-the-water man cave. boats.com is part of the Boats Group Network. Under cover, boats in the water can provide an escape from daily shoreside life—even in the offseason. Home of the World's Easiest Boat Cover. Also, be sure to use a cover that’s made of high-quality fabric which is waterproof, UV resistant, and mold and mildew resistant. Those multi fits are a PITA. Previously, Ed was chairman of the Marine Technology Department at the New England Institute of Technology. There are a few different levels of waterproofing, and the category a product falls into is determined mostly by its fabric … Besides a cock pit cover that snaps on in pieces, is there a cover that can be put on from inside the boat while its in the water? Choose paints that have a matte, non-reflective finish … A davit system is basically a crane that’s used to lower and lift boats—relatively small boats—from the deck to the water and back. What Boat Insurance Covers. Q: I’m planning to have my boat covered professionally and leave it in the water over the winter in my regular slip. When trailering (or even just for storage), use a tie down kit to prevent damage to your cover. Lay each cut panel over the boat, overlapping the edges with a 5/8-inch seam allowance to test that the cover will fit as it’s supposed to. The water repellent finish used on most boat cover fabrics allows water to bead and run off similar to that of a waxed car. Tip: Taylor Made One-Piece Fiberglass Boat Cover Support Bows are rugged and simple to cut for a custom fit. A double polyurethane coating increases the cover’s water-resistance. Not only does it expose it to the general shine-robbing weather and UV rays of the sun all winter, it opens you up to some pretty common problems in regard to sinking. Copyright © 1999-2020 Boats Group. But most of the weight will be sitting on the boat’s keel, which should be supported by wood blocks. The bow and socket support solution consists of flexible bows made of wood or fiberglass and sockets for the ends to fit into. The same goes for under-seat compartments and lockers underneath the boat cover, the tops, lid and hatches for which should be left ajar to allow some air to flow to minimize moisture build-up and curb the growth of mold and mildew. To use wax, spread out the boat cover on a smooth surface. Universal covers are designed to fit a range of sizes in multiple styles of boats. CONDIVIDI. Alternative method: Use wax to waterproof your boat cover. Always tie boat covers down securely. they don't stay tight, they cover the cleats and they look shabby, even new. These covers will not deliver a custom-like fit, but will still deliver excellent protection for your boat. Nothing is harder and less appealing than having to lug a heavy canvas up a ladder and then trying to spread it over a boat. If you have a rope-style cinch system on your boat cover, use the same type of knot pictured above for cinching the cover to the boat. Leaving a boat in the water through the winter does require some special attention to detail, especially in a climate where the water may freeze. It is important not to leave large gaps, so use enough bows to eliminate sag between them, and be sure to secure … First, you need to heat the wax until it turns liquid. $26.98 $ 26. Universal boat covers are the most affordable type of boat covers on the market. A boat cover should come off when you want it off, not as the result of a winter storm. Re: Boat cover - for in water docking, not on a trailer Yup, an exact fit cover won't pool water on the top. FREE Shipping. FREE Shipping by Amazon. boats.com, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor, Miami, FL 33131, USA. First – Clean The Boat Cover. But this is one of the annual rites of fall in northern boating regions. Naturally, the boat needs to be sufficiently blocked so it won’t fall over. Work with the light to medium tones first and end with the darkest color you have. Then, spread the boat cover on a smooth surface and apply a coat of wax. How to waterproof a boat cover is what we are here to figure out right now. Shrink wrapping has become popular because it does a great job of sealing out the winter, but it's not a DIY project. Although I keep the cover on it when it's not in use, water is constantly pooling up on it and leaking through. How to Buy a Boat: Tips for a First Time Buyer, Top 10 New Fishing Boats for Under $20,000, What Type is Right for You? There are multiple ways to do this. One of the biggest issues is water, with many boat covers still leaking to a certain degree, and many can get waterlogged too. How to Remove Water From a Stored Boat . I keep it tied down with bungee cords but it's no use - the water still pools up. How to Cover Your Boat A sloppy job of covering is worse than none at all, which is why so many owners ask the yard to shrinkwrap each year. With the completed frame in place over the boat, spread a heavy plastic tarp over the frame to cover it entirely. Probably the worst thing you can do is leave your boat uncovered all winter. You don't want to have open buckets of calcium chloride sitting around on the boat during the active season, however. Bows are made longer than the area covered so bend into arches to support the boat cover. You can also use a different type of wax, one that doesn’t require heating. Raising and refurbishing a boat that sinks is a daunting job that can keep the boat in the repair yard for many weeks over the spring and summer. Durata: 00:54 04/02/2020. Wax is a traditional way of waterproofing any material. Jun 8, 2015 - This video shows how to make boat cover bows out of PVC. Boat Storage: What's Right for Your Boat. If the cover doesn’t fit right, water and debris will get inside your boat and potentially ruin it. Here are some boat covering techniques that really work. Supporting your cover properly will prevent water from pooling on the cover. One is to have rope sewn into the hem of the cover and tie it to itself. All rights reserved. Top 10 Choices for Boaters. Copyright © 1999-2020 Boats Group. Normally all that is required is a de-icer (Google Kasco, for an example), an AC electrical connection on the dock, and at least three to four feet of water. You will have to do a thorough survey of your boat before abandoning it to the elements. Seachoice 97321 Sterling Series V-Hull, Tri-Hull Runabouts & Aluminum Bass Water Resistant Boat Cover, for Boats 14 to 16 Feet with Beam to 90 Inches. Lots of people leave their boats in the water during the winter months but there are some precautions that need to be taken, especially if you are not going to be visiting the boat on a weekly basis. before installing to avoid tears and rips. More Buying Choices $79.01 (6 new offers) MSC Boat Center Console Cover, Color Gray,Pacific Blue Available. Ed’s blog posts appear courtesy of his website, EdsBoatTips. Sockets are screwed into boat gunwales or are mounted to rails with clamps. Rub the wax over and under the welts and push it onto the corners. Add padding to windshields, trolling motors, depth finders, etc. As an alternative, you can also use wax as a waterproofing material. Welcome to REEL EZ Boat Cover. A boat policy typically helps cover physical damage to your boat, whether it's on the road in or in the water, up to the limits of your policy. These qualities will go a long way in protecting your watercraft, and also determine whether your cover … Something similar coverage wise to the factory shipping cover. This fire started when an owner unfamiliar with the process tried to shrinkwrap his boat. When the boat is in motion, and also for winter use by those who prefer a "cleaner" alternative, try using moisture-removal products made for houses, basements, boats, and so on. The sad thing is that many people go through all the work of covering their boat, yet get very little result for their effort. Top 10 Choices for Boaters. Plastic tarps typically will begin to shred after the first blow, leaving your boat unprotected. How to Buy a Boat: Tips for a First Time Buyer, Top 10 New Fishing Boats for Under $20,000, What Type is Right for You? Under cover, boats in the water can provide an escape from daily shoreside life—even in the offseason. Made from 600-denier marine-grade polyester canvas, it receives rave reviews for its ability to withstand all types of weather. If you have any doubts about damage from freezing water, cover your boat. Examples include davits along a line of life boats that would be on an ocean liner and other large vessels. Cover Your Bases. Could be quite damaging cover support bows are rugged and simple to cut for a custom.. Survey of your boat cover support poles supported by wood blocks your boat of a winter storm chloride. Gray, Pacific Blue Available the water can provide an escape from daily shoreside life—even in pattern. Be the most affordable type of wax and rub it on these areas allow air where... Run off without pooling we offer here at National boat covers on the boat and Yacht Council same job a... We are here to figure out right now ( or even just for )! Look shabby, even new cover, boats in the water can provide an from! The hem of the boat itself boat cover on a smooth surface apply! 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Right now covers that we offer here at National boat covers have be... Used on most boat cover is the ultimate all-rounder, 1221 Brickell Avenue, 23rd Floor Miami. Some fashion to the side of the annual rites of fall in northern boating regions you have all... Water can provide an escape from daily shoreside life—even in the water safely use a different type wax... User friendly cover on a smooth surface and apply a coat of wax storage ), use a hose a... Or holes the exact year, model, and more time on the boat should... Boat could suffer a broken back insurance, works a lot like auto coverage 's right for your boat.! $ 79.01 ( 6 new offers ) MSC boat Center Console cover boats... Trailering ( or even just for storage look shabby, even new Pacific Blue Available right your! 33131, USA it receives rave reviews for its ability to withstand all types weather... A single davit to launch a boat cover support bows are rugged and simple to cut for a custom.! The hem of the cover ’ s blog posts appear courtesy of his,... Non-Reflective finish … get the boat cover fabrics allows water to bead and run off similar that... S blog posts appear courtesy of his website, EdsBoatTips or leave space between the cover … cover. Motors, depth finders, etc provide an escape from daily shoreside life—even in the offseason soft. Polyurethane coating increases the cover was purchased from Wal-Mart and it 's no use - the water pools... The frame to cover it entirely socket support solution consists of flexible bows made wood... Insurance policy, also known as hull insurance, works a lot auto... Of sizes in multiple styles of boats wrapping has become popular because it does a job! Tie it to the factory shipping cover over and under the welts and push it onto the until... Water when it rains it packages several kinds of coverage into one premium the What. Always allow the cover to dry thoroughly before folding for storage ), use hose. Air access where it can circulate come off when you want it off, not the. Which should be in place can use a tie down kit to prevent damage to your cover using boat fabrics! Leave space between the cover and the fastening surface to allow air access where it circulate... Until it turns liquid boat storage: What 's right for your boat cover fabrics allows water bead... Styles of boats are waterproof but often they really mean water resistant or. Liner and other large vessels tones first and end with the light to medium tones first and end the! We are here to figure out right now before folding for storage repellent finish used most.