new larson owner - needs help

[bencymru]

hi,

i've just bought a 2003 180 sei with a larson factory fitted tower. it has a really heavy cover that marks the boat so i'm looking for a replacement.

all i can seem to find are the bow and cockpit press stud covers from usa. are these ok for towing or do i need a full cover?

i'm also looking for accessories but can only find american sites , eg , i need to replace the bilge blower vent covers but all i can find are white and brown.

please can anyone help with the above problems and advise if i can only buy from the us or through a main dealer

many thanks

ben

 

[AndieMac]

Ben

Obvoiusly can't help with any local advice, but on the issue of towing with a cover on, IMO don't bother.

If the cover is an all over job, products like sunbrella for eg. will flog the gelcoat (eroding) in an abrasive manner as the boat is being towed along the highway.
Make sure any loose items are tucked securely up under the forecabin, and of course, the boat securely strapped to trailer.

If you haven't already got one, make up a strong line running back and down from the winch eye on the boat, to the trailer drawbar. If an accident (impact from the front) occurs, its surprising how many boats end up on top of the motor vehicle.

Good luck and enjoy your boat.

 

[gjgm]

What do you mean by marks the boat? Sunbrella shouldnt be that abrasive...
If the cover is a standard USA type with studs, its fine for towing behind the car, with the weak point being the studs at the base of the windscreen, which can (can,only) come off while towing. Shouldnt be enough to blow the cover away though-just keep an eye on it.
As regards accessories, boats are just made up of other manufacturers components. so in theory you can fit anything you like. Of course, with USA sportsboats, most of those parts are also from USA, but there s no need to fit a "Larson" part if something else fits.

 

[AndieMac]

Unfortunately the all over (from 12" below the gunwhale, to covering the entire boat) cover - Sunbrella - that I had on a boat for several years, at any point it made contact with the gelcoat, left patches that looked like it had been rubbed with wet 'n dry!
This was from just sitting in storage and being wind/weather effected.

It was a pretty snug fit, with not circulating air, so during winter the inside of the cover looked like I was growing mould on a commercial basis.

 

[gjgm]

you can buy ndustrial rolls of eerrr cling film type stuff.. cant recall whats its really called.. baout £25 for a roll. Use some polish to stick this onto the boat, and that might/should help provide some protection. But I d suggest it wasnt tied down tight enough if its buffeting that much. Also, you have to leave an opening over winter... I used to leave the whole back open, like a tent.
Or just buy a big tarp and make a tent frame from some timber/guttering...

 

[AndieMac]

It had like a draw-cord around the topsides, and was custom cut and fitted, but the boat had dark gelcoat (red) above the gunwhale/joining strip all the way around, which got hammered.

That was 5 boats ago now, but you can see I still carry the scars

At the time I didn't understand the air flow principle, as far as mould reduction is concerned.

Agree the tent principle will work.

 

[bencymru]

gelcoat damage

thanks for all the replies,

i have noticed theres quite a lot of abrasion damage around the top of the boat, caused by the cover i believe. i've tried polishing and this makes it less obvious but does nothing more.

does anyone know what can be done on a more permenant basis? i've noticed a few companies around that can provide a cutom boat finishing service, perhaps this is the answer?


cheers

ben

 

[AndieMac]

Do you mean by boat finishers, detailers?

Depends how fussy you want to be with it. Put her under cover in a carport/shed or keep applying a wax coat every 3 to 6 months.

Being a smaller boat it wont take long to run over her with a good wax coat, mainly from gunwhale up and over anyway. Just dont wash her with a detergent that is too strong to strip the wax off, preferably buy one with a wax component already in it. Then hand apply a finishing wax coat, just the same as the car.