Boat cover question

[Justbass11]

My question is, would you buy a boat cover made for the boat you own or would you take a generic boat cover? My asking is because I own a bass Pro tracker 175 DMX. I’ve been thinking on getting the custom boat cover but that is pricey. For my birthday I got $200 worth of Bass Pro shops, gift certificates. The BPS boat cover is less pricey, but does have a four year warranty on it. Now the custom is $470.00 BPS cover is $150.00. Of course, both of these covers are sold at BPS,  but I’m just thinking on which one I should get, anyway all your suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.

[airshot]

What are you going to do with it or how will you use it is the big decision maker...  Just a cover for storage to keep rhe dust off, or outside storage in rain and snow, or trailering down the highway ??  If trailering, the only good cover is a custom fit cover !!  For outside storage in the weather a decent cover with a good supporting frame under it.  Many warranties are void if water pools and snow builds up and damages the cover, thus the need for a good support system to keep the cover tight so no sagging or pooling takes place.  Indoor dust protecter, most any cover will do.  In my 60 plus years of boating, my custom covers were costly, but lasted a good many years, my last one was 10yrs old when the boat was sold but cover was like new!!  Cheap covers never lasted more than 4-5 yrs before needing replaced....you do the math !!

[TOXIC]

Good advice given.  I will tell you trailering with a cover is a dangerous proposition even with a custom one.  A loose belly strap or ratchet strap or if you didn’t get it on exactly right, it will take the paint or decal off your tin rig and marring your finish on a glass boat.  I only use a cover when parked. I never trailer with a cover.   

[gim]

I agree with @airshot here, it really is dependent on how you intend to use the cover and how often.

 

I use the complimentary cover that came with my boat ($500 value that the salesman tossed in for free).  But I only really ever use it in the winter when my boat is stored in the garage, or when I take the boat in for winterization (which is where it is right now).  Some people park their boats outside like @TOXIC does above.  Some people take their boat on the road quite a bit and a cover is a good idea when its outside at a hotel or a lodge, etc for security purposes.  My parents have a very expensive custom cover for their Warrior from Canvas Craft because they spend a considerable amount of time out of town for walleye tournaments.

[immortl]

I don't have a full on boat, but I have a kayak that I bought a cover for from Covercraft.  The one I purchased was made of the Covercraft Sun-DURA.  It is weather resistant / water resistant.  Moisture stills gets through. Is there a difference between the ones you're looking at with regard to resistant vs proof?  Do you have a preference for one over the other?

 

Covercraft seems to be having a large sale right now with some fairly steep discounts.

Edited October 31, 2023 by immortl
added sale note

[MN Fisher]

Ditto above - My cover is pretty tight and I could probably trailer it to local lakes, but I wouldn't want to have it on for far trips. Saying that - the cover is only on when the boat is parked in the back yard during open-water season...boat without cover is stored in my garage when

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, Justbass11 said:

My question is, would you buy a boat cover made for the boat you own or would you take a generic boat cover? My asking is because I own a bass Pro tracker 175 DMX. I’ve been thinking on getting the custom boat cover but that is pricey. For my birthday I got $200 worth of Bass Pro shops, gift certificates. The BPS boat cover is less pricey, but does have a four year warranty on it. Now the custom is $470.00 BPS cover is $150.00. Of course, both of these covers are sold at BPS,  but I’m just thinking on which one I should get, anyway all your suggestions are appreciated. Thank you.

Get a Custom Cover that's made specifically for YOUR Rig.

Then you can do whatever you want with it and have little to worry about.

As for the price difference - a quality cover is an investment designed to protect your rig.

Whatever that's worth to you, then there it is.

 

A-Jay

[GaryH]

I’m that your titanic impersonation.. 😂😂😂😂

[Woody B]

Get the custom cover.  I've got the custom cover when I bought my boat.   A friend of mine got a ~$200 "universal" cover.   His boat sweats under the cover.   Mine doesn't sweat.  It's also easier to cover and uncover the boat.   I don't usually tow with mine on, but I have.   

[airshot]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Get a Custom Cover that's made specifically for YOUR Rig.

Then you can do whatever you want with it and have little to worry about.

As for the price difference - a quality cover is an investment designed to protect your rig.

Whatever that's worth to you, then there it is.

 

A-Jay

Correct....have had a number of custom made boat covers over the years, never an issue with any.  If you do, then the cover was not made correctly.  I would never trailer with a strapon cover nor would I own one, way to much work to put on or take off.  All my custom covers were snap on and off. With good quality heavy duty snaps along the sides, easy to put on and off and never had one come loose even at highways speeds. Good covers need care which many do not do, my good covers have lasted at least ten years with good care, some even longer !!

[TOXIC]

@airshot remember, there’s no bass boat made with snaps.  Likewise none of the bass style tin rigs have them either.  Snaps are normally only on the deep v multi species boats.  I’ve seen them added to bass boats but none come that way from the factory.  

[A-Jay]

The Custom cover for the Pro-V Bass uses a 'clip' system.

Could not possibly be any easier to install/remove.

Superior Quality & Fits like a glove.

Looks like this.

A-Jay

[MickD]

There are two kinds of custom covers, probably a lot more.  A-Jay and I have covers designed for our Lund boats and they clip into a groove on the boat and are entirely capable of trailering short or long distances.  I've done it for thousands of miles since 2017 with mine and it is still in good shape and looks like it will last a lot longer.  It is stored inside, not outside which is tougher on them than inside.

 

Other "custom" covers are designed for the size and shape and cockpit configuration of boats and use straps to hold them in  place.  These are not nearly as easy to use and are not as reliable for protecting and staying in place as the Lund style customs.  You'll have to use your judgment on how well they will work.  I know when my cover is done for, I'll go to Lund and get another.   Yes it will be more costly.  

[gim]

12 minutes ago, MickD said:

Other "custom" covers are designed for the size and shape and cockpit configuration of boats and use straps to hold them in  place. 

 

This is what my parent's use on their 2090 Warrior tiller.  The cover is a more durable material and they actually dropped off their boat for a week at Canvas Craft so they could make a cover that fit the boat snug.  Theirs even goes over the bow mount and outboard too, all in once piece.  They park their boat in the garage at home, so no cover needed for storage.  But when they go on out-of-town tournaments they use it.

 

I want to say its quite expensive to have this done, but I am not sure how much exactly.

 

https://www.canvascraftinc.com/boat-covers

[airshot]

6 hours ago, TOXIC said:

@airshot remember, there’s no bass boat made with snaps.  Likewise none of the bass style tin rigs have them either.  Snaps are normally only on the deep v multi species boats.  I’ve seen them added to bass boats but none come that way from the factory.  

Your probably correct as I don't own a bass boat, never have.  Only owned one fibergalss boat and will never own another...yes that was many years back when they were not as well made as they are today.  From my old wood Lymans, thru my many Starcraft, Smoker craft and my current Sylvan aluminum boats the covers are attached with snaps under the gunwale and have never been an issue.  So easy to roll the custom cover on and off while going down each side snapping it on or off.  Typically have it off and rolled up by myself in less than 10 minutes, mabey 15 minutes to put it on.  Don't use the cover much anymore as my boat is kept in my pole barn, but...if my boat ever has to sit outside...the snap on cover will be in use once again !!

[GRiver]

A friend hauled his boat down from Nc to Fl to visit, it had an “universal” top, cover sort of thing. The wind from interstate speeds marred the finish on his boat…… I’ve heard people cuss more than him that day…..but not many. 
After stomping and cussing I told him Joe Dirt line

“     It’ll buff out”  wow for about 2 seconds, if looks could kill, then he chuckled and smiled, glad we’re friends. 

[buzzinfrog]

Definitely go for the that is made for your boat if its financially feasible. Like others said, the universal covers never fit right, no matter how many poles or modifications you make, which leads to water pooling, premature failure, etc. What you can do to prolong the life of the expensive custom cover is put a tarp or cheap universal cover over it.

[Alex from GA]

I added snaps to my fiberglass boat when I had to keep it in the water during very low water times.  I made a PVC frame that slid over the seat posts and custom made a heavy silver tarp that snapped on.  It worked fine for the couple of years that I couldn't use the covered dock.  If I had an expensive boat I'd have a custom made cover.

[Susky River Rat]

There is an old saying anything worth doing is doing right! If you are going to use it most the time during your ownership of the boat get the custom.
 

Ironically, the boat cover I will get  for my G3 with be a universal. Why? It may get used 5 days a year if I go on a fishing trip somewhere just to keep leafs/rain/light debris out of the boat.  I won’t trailer with it on. It stays in my garage all the other days of the year

 

Getting wet leafs out of a boat drive me insane. 

[DaubsNU1]

One of the many reasons I went with a Lund...the travel cover is incredibly easy to install and remove, and does great on the highway.

 

Get the best you can afford, and don't look back. Buy-once-cry-once...quality is worth it.