I'll be putting my 14 foot john boat outside soon.  I want a very durable cover not for when I am pulling it as much as for when I am actually storing it out in the weather.  Any materials, fabrics, and stores that sell it are appreciated. 

Bass Pro has jon boat covers reasonably priced and good quality

Flipping it over and leaving it upside down is about the beat cover I've found.

Flipping it over and leaving it upside down is about the beat cover I've found.

Good answer. 

 

With it upside down, and not enclosed, you won't need to think about mice, or other critters that are looking for a dry place to spend the winter.

 

If you have gear in the boat, remove it and store it inside. 

 

No matter what cover you get, the sun will do a job on it, even in the winter.  If you had a glass boat, then you  might want to cover it, just to protect the gel coat from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. 

My top of the line, jon boat cover.

 

I got one off EBay and after a few months it faded and lookd bad

I broke out the moths balls, some bunjee cords and a tarp. Seemed to do a nice job last year. The boat was also backed into a car port.

Almost any fabric will look bad after 1 year.  That's why I use cheap fuzzy back vinyl and change it every couple years.   It's so easy to make your own and the fit is perfectly tight if you do it right.. which helps keep the mice out and the wind from taking it away.

 

Just measure out the top and sides.  Use the same dimensions for the cut pieces so it stretches on easily.   Almost anybody can do it on a home sewing machine.   If not go to a local drapery shop and have them sew it for you.     You won't beat the fit or the cost.

I used a blue tarp that came with grommet holes, and about a dozen bungee cords.  It didn't look pretty, but it worked!

I'm a member of a nature club with some strip pits and lots of members leave their john boats laying around turned over, not covered up, out in the Indiana snow, rain, beat and cold. I keep telling myself I have to get one of those things. They look tough as nails.

I am also in the market for a cover for my jon the best I've found so far is a tarp with holes I string a rope through the holes and go under the trailer and tie it together. Water still puddles a bit on the tarp but it's better than nothing.

I am also in the market for a cover for my jon the best I've found so far is a tarp with holes I string a rope through the holes and go under the trailer and tie it together. Water still puddles a bit on the tarp but it's better than nothing.

find an old bar stool to put in the middle of the boat

I used a blue tarp that came with grommet holes, and about a dozen bungee cords.  It didn't look pretty, but it worked!

I'm another vote for a plain old tarp and some bungees. I don't get the blue one. The ones I get are silver on one side and brown on the other. They last quite a while, and once you get a system down, they are actually easier to put on than a lot of purpose made boat covers. I just labels the grommets with the color bungee that fits tight. Plus, once they start to wear, you are not out a lot of money.