My first boat - buying tomorrow fingers crossed (advice pls)

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Advice time.... so it rained yesterday and this happened. Any thoughts on how to stop the water pooling? Was thinking there are some eyelets on the cover so getting some rope to keep it down but due to the shape of the boat don't think it will resolve this issue?
A Cheap ,quick, temporary fix that I used was a few fiberglass drain cleaning rods ( about €2 each at B&Q) rest on centre of screen and transom. It lifts the centre and runs off the side. It worked for me. You can get a pole to stand in the cockpit with adjustable height later.
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Get yourself and length of CLS From B and Q or similar that is long enough to reach from the windscreen to the rear of the boat like below

Round edge Whitewood C16 CLS timber (L)2.4m (W)63mm (T)38mm | DIY at B&Q

Fix a block to it at the screen end so that it will not slide forward, Round the top edge at the front so it is not sharp over the cover. If you have a ski pole hole in the back of the boat, Drill a hole in the CLS and glue in a round piece of wood or square does not matter so that it drops into the ski pole hole.

You now have a ridge down the centre of the boat that once you pull the cover over tight should shed the water.

I would also invest in a Ducks back cover (£80) as they are sort of stretchy and pull very tight.

Ducksback Boat Cover 14-16 ft Rib / Speed / Sport waterproof quality (silver) 5060354040218 | eBay

Ducks back measure large so if your boat length is on the border of sizes get the smaller one.

If you can create a tent shape with the Ridge and cover all will be good
 
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Here is a pic of some of my covers. I need a new one for the boat to the right. But if you can achieve the tentish shape the water will run off. In the blueish one which is a very old cover the timber has poked through the cover at the front. Hence the need to round it off

covers.jpg
 
As per Bigplumbs we made a D section pole that went from the combing at the bow crossed over the engine hatch and clipped on to the rudder stock, it was cut in the middle and a sleeve made to join the two pieces, it was then stored along with the oars and boat hook under the bench seat in the rear cockpit.
Can't remember what the wood was but it wasn't pine and was too light in colour to be mahogany, the boat was clinker built mahogany over oak frames.
 
Excellent idea
Thanks. I think the lighter weight covers like Tony's and BP's Ducksback are more susceptible to pooling than a heavier weight material. My PVC hasn't rubbed anywhere at all so after some trial and error I'm happy where I'm at.
That's a good set up , I used the drain rods as a quick fix and they pack down to fit in a locker.
The Polypipe also breaks down easily it's only push-fit. Can be creative according to each boat, I used a heat gun to put a permanent bend in and not that it's essential, but 32mm Floplast fits inside the 40mm joins for additional strength.
 
View attachment 129851

Advice time.... so it rained yesterday and this happened. Any thoughts on how to stop the water pooling? Was thinking there are some eyelets on the cover so getting some rope to keep it down but due to the shape of the boat don't think it will resolve this issue?
Get some bungees through each eyelet to the trailer chassis.
Bungees.png

I used the 1m ones and can vouch for the quality of the ones pictured. Some brands don't have much stretch.
 
The important thing when using a Ducksback cover is to rig up the supplied straps properly so that all you have to do is pull down on then to tighten right across the cover. If you do this correctly they work perfectly. The lighter weight of the material makes it far better to remove than any heavyweight cover and also the ducks back material breaths so that you get fewer issues with mould on the upholstery.

the straps should go under the trailer and you can ping them off both sides to easily remove the cover, Losen them a little and clip them back in, pull downwards to tighten when you put the cover back on. All very simple

buy which ever you wish but having had both I know which I prefer. I have found that the ducks back does not chaff and a cover usually lasts 3-4 years I have found so about £25 a year which I think is very good.

As I said the secret is fitting them correctly, pulling them tight and having a decent ridge support.

The size of ducks back you would need has 3-4 proper straps that are sewn in and go right over the boat rather than messing with multiple bungee cords that are never tight enough and loose their stretch very quickly.

Most people that can’t get on with Ducksback have not fitted them properly
 
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messing with multiple bungee cords that are never tight enough and loose their stretch very quickly.
:unsure::unsure: Have you ever actually tried strong bungees? They won't work unless there are regular eyelets, neither if cheap and nasty. They are much faster. My preference.

I used straps many times. Even hand sewn extra ones in. Pain in the a*se fishing around getting the ends under the boat one side to the other. Then always having to adjust. Periodically when the material gives and every time when re-fitting the cover if it doesn't go on precisely the same. And no give if there's a really bad gust so stitching rips over time. My worst experience was with Oxford 600D material which is less stretchy than Ducksback. All the other covers I had were manufacturer originals, heavier like the PVC I've currently got.

Each to his own. You carry on regardless BP. Why on earth consider change? I'll leave the last word to you as usual.;)
 
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TonyBerkshire, how are you getting on with the boat?

Hi @Frederick911... I literally logged on the PC just now to book my RYA Powerboat L2 course and your message popped up ;) ... I am thinking about this company below who do 2 days for £300 during April and hoping they are good ... anyone heard of them? May do the VHF one too?

RYA Powerboat Level 2 Course - Duck 2 Water (duck-2-water.co.uk)

Not done anything with the boat yet (just looking pretty on the driveaway :ROFLMAO: ) and still need to book a service for it as not been used for over 2 years, buy me some safety gear too... oh and another car to use for towing (and want 7 seats so can take the dog too) I keep flipping between the Audi Q7, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Landcruiser... hoping something about £10k to 15k as don't want to buy new as will only be using it for the boat towing...People are advising me to steer clear of the BMW X5 and Land Rovers
 
Never had a problem towing with the Landy, I use mine to tow plant and machinery for my son when he is too busy.
Eldest and middle sons both have Landys too, eldest lad has a 110 Defender and middle son has a Disco 3 and both are great at towing. Youngest son just borrows my Range Rover Sport :oops:
All our landys can tow up to 3.5 tonnes braked, 750kg unbraked.

From your list I would not look past the Toyota Landcruiser, had an Amazon VX 4.2 turbo diesel as a company car and put 113k miles on it, great tow car too, limited to 3.5 tonnes in the UK/EU but can tow up to 6 tonnes in Aus if you fit the optional air brake kit for the trailer.
 
I love my Landrovers and have a Discovery 2 and also a Discovery 3. They are very good tow vehicles and once you sus some of the issues out are not as bad as many will try to have you believe. Plenty available in your price range
 
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