Boat Cover when moored

[Karnic]

Hi All
Just inquiring in order to search for ideas as i would like to change my boat cover while boat is moored. I have a cover at the moment that cover my center console boat 20 Ft from bow to stern ( even bit on sides )
covers boat really well. However as I use boat on a regular basis and cover is heavy it is getting into my nerves. I dont use studs at the moment just tie downs/ bungees etc . In order to make it a bit easier to cover boat what are your views :
Stainless studs or Not? Studs are easier but have to drill.
Sunbrella material? Boat in Mediterranean sea lots of sun with very high temperatures.
I need something lighter and more user friendly.
I also understand that I can just cover my console only and it will be a breeze but as boat bought new by me im trying my best for ideas to protect boat from elements in a more viable way.
Appreciate your views.
Picture current cover

 

[Boathook]

No real views apart from a cover that size is going to be heavy and possibly awkward. Could make a new one that comes of in sections and is zipped together, though zips and the stitching is another failure point.

 

[harvey38]

I lot depends on why you need the cover, bird shite, UV protection, water protection etc.

Sunbrella make various fabrics from water resistant to waterproof and easy to handle. We have studs on our tonneau cover and are a pain, we have plenty of deck space to put it on so tolerable, when the new cover is made, I'll use turnbuckle fasteners as they are so much easier to use. Unless they would cause a snagging problem, I would use stainless turnbuckles on your new cover.

 

[doug748]

I might try cutting down the existing cover to tonneau size, as mentioned by harvey. If that works you can then make, or have made, an acrylic canvas version using it as a pattern.

I hate drilling unnecessary holes in boats so would experiment with the tie downs you already have. If you must drill, I have found lift a dot fasteners work well:



The drawback is that the male studs are hell if you tread on them with bare feet, so take care where you place them.

Lacing hooks can work well with bungy cord:


Drawback with them is they can catch lines a be a bit snaggy.

As long as the cockpit area is protected, a cover is a great thing to have. I would keep the engine cover.

.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I would cut the existing cover in to management pieces and lace hen together using Dutch lacing to allow easy fitting and access.

 

[Sandy]

I hate drilling unnecessary holes in boats so would experiment with the tie downs you already have. If you must drill, I have found lift a dot fasteners work well:

View attachment 182683

The drawback is that the male studs are hell if you tread on them with bare feet, so take care where you place them.

Like @doug748 I think these are the work of the devil! On my next upgrade am moving to these

Perfix Fasteners

Not quite as pointy and kinder under foot or if a skull should contact them at speed.

 

[Karnic]

Like @doug748 I think these are the work of the devil! On my next upgrade am moving to these

Perfix Fasteners

Not quite as pointy and kinder under foot or if a skull should contact them at speed.

Will have a look into them for sure. seem very durable. cloth to fibre are available ?

 

[Refueler]

I have fitted cover to my 24 ... with Lift-A-Dot around the windscreen and halfway along sides - then twist locks from that halfway - round stern. It has three metal hoops (two pivot on bolt at cockpit sides) ... a fairly typical sort of cover ... it folds back similar to an old Morris Minor cars !!

I need new as the material has become easy to tear .. already the curved corners of the hoops have broken through ...

The original white cover folded down ....

 

[vyv_cox]

We have had two winter covers and two hoods in Sunbrella, all in Greece. All of them have shrunk in a few years and would no longer fit. We were recommended to try Weathermax WM80, no sign of shrinkage now after 5 or six years

 

[Refueler]

We have had two winter covers and two hoods in Sunbrella, all in Greece. All of them have shrunk in a few years and would no longer fit. We were recommended to try Weathermax WM80, no sign of shrinkage now after 5 or six years

Sunbrella is OK ... but I found it weakened quite quickly compared to older 'canvas' material used ...

But one event that I was not too happy about .... when I hit the breakwater stones - I shot fwd and grabbed the sprayhood ... it ripped so easily .... and that was absolutely new just fitted sprayhood ! In fact we were sailing the boat back to home from the boat yard that made it !

My old sprayhood survived many similar falls etc in storm and bad weather - never tore like that.

Its been remade and I just hope it lasts !

 

[B27]

We used to have a Dory.
The cover was quite effective and easy to put on.
Snap hooks at the bow, bungee and eyelets down the side onto 'button cleats' below the gunnel, and tied off to the towing eyes at the transom.
I have a cockpit cover which ties on with 5 bits of string onto existing fittings. It's made with a batten across the front, that makes it easy to roll up and stow in the stern locker. The batten also holds it off the deck to allow airflow.
It's mostly to keep sun and guano off the ropes etc in the cockpit and to keep rain off the washboard louvres, while allowing airflow.

 

[Karnic]

Like @doug748 I think these are the work of the devil! On my next upgrade am moving to these

Perfix Fasteners

Not quite as pointy and kinder under foot or if a skull should contact them at speed.

And corrosion seems not an issue. Right? will the make the cover tight and secure like the snaps? Asked for a sample from them.