Full Boat Cover - useful or not?

[Jaguar 25]

My Jaguar 25 came with a full boat cover that I have never used based on my thought that it would make conditions underneath unacceptably damp.

Is this correct or should it be a useful tool for a boat laid up in winter?

 

[Tranona]

If your cover is well supported clear of the deck and open at both ends to encourage air flow then a good thing. However a close fitting cover that does not allow ventilation may not be such a good idea. Not so essential on a GRP boat, but it does keep the carp off the decks in the winter and reduces the time needed for cleanup in the spring.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

They are very useful provided that the cover is secure and held of the deck and coach roof. You must allow air to flow through the cover for obvious reasons. In a past life I helped manage a fleet of charter boats and some of the owners used covers. These boats were always easiest to bring back into commission and stayed cleaner through the winter months. I recommend them. One boat we shrink wrapped and that suffered a lot from condensation and mustiness down below as there was little flow of air through the boat.
My own boat is out for a refit and to be honest I wish I had placed a cover over her. She is looking very grubby now and will require a deep clean to bring her decks, aluminum window frames and teak bits back up to the same standard before she was laid up. The grime would have been prevented with a cover.

 

[West Coast]

The first owner of my boat kept her in a heated covered shed every winter from when she was built in 1993 for the first 10 years (in the Netherlands), I had a full cover made when I bought her 11 years ago, not cheap as it is a fitted cover.

This has been a great thing, protecting all the deck and cockpit areas, and especially the teak decks which after 21 years are still in good order. It also gives me a really good working space during the winter months.

 

[Jaguar 25]

Thanks, I'll try fitting at the end of the year.

 

[CreakyDecks]

I wish I had one. I think the seagulls round here must live off chewing gum, their deposits are like No-Nails adhesive!

 

[Seajet]

The only downside to such covers is that I've heard thieves love them, once inside they can operate at leisure hidden away...

 

[westhinder]

The first owner of my boat had a cover fitted, but I have stopped using it. It is a very well made and fitting affair, but I did not trust it in a storm. Although the boat sits in a strong steel cradle with six supports, I thought it increased the wind pressure far too much. In a force 8 I found the boat shaking far too much for ease of mind
A difference may be that my boat is now laid up close to the shore, without much shelter from the wind, whereas the first owner used to lay the boat up 40 miles inland in a yard surrounded by trees and buildings.
I have had a close fitting cockpit cover made which perfectly protects the companionway and cockpit and all its winches, clutches, wheel, instruments and teak. Very pleased with it as it has a very low profile and has no effect whatsoever on wind pressure.