Rankin Cover Group Buy 2008

[TRBenj]

Tim, 99Sport- theres still time. I dont have an end date for accepting orders, but will update this thread when I do.

[uncle-buck]

Rankin made a cover for my 1990 Ski Nautique, but it didn't fit correctly over my boat's irregular windshield - so I returned it. They're making a new one. In any case, the first one is Mediterranean blue. Looks great. If you have a '90 to '96 SN, you might get a real good deal on it.

[ally606]

Is this group buy still open? If so, it is for the US only or can those of us in less sunny climes (Scotland) participate also?

[KatyTX]

Tim,

Thanks for setting up. When I called to inquire about a few things, I was told I could place my order then. I hope that's okay. I still mentioned your name and PlanetNautique. I was surprised to find out that they didn't need my measurements (that my 8 year old helped me with - yikes!) which was probably just as well.

I was also told that they had a lot more colors to choose from. My 2004 226 TE is orange with a yellow accent, so I am going with orange. As 2nd owner, I didn't pick the colors bit it grows on you.

Regards,

Tim S.

[TRBenj]

Ally, Rankin will ship to Scotland, so feel free to join in!

Tim, good deal. Rankin does have many patterns for tower cut outs (stock towers, obviously), though I still recommend that you measure yourself when you can. Ive yet to see 2 boats with the same exact measurements, so its not an exact science. None are perfectly symmetrical either!

[1999Sport]

Thank god I'm not married...because I just submitted my order form....look forward to a quality cover...thanks

[TRBenj]

I submitted the 3rd group of orders yesterday. Anyone who had sent me an order form before yesterday should have received an email. If I missed someone, please let me know!

[KB]

How hard are these covers to put on? Sounds like a dumb question, but I'm needing something that is extremely user friendly for my new 236. There are two of us who use the boat regularly, and one of us (it's not me, though) is pretty bad about taking the time and effort to put the factory cover on correctly. Granted, I think it's a little tricky with all the straps and stuff, but I can still do it pretty easily. But my 'associate" is unwilling.

So... we're looking at something that fits good and tight but is very easy to put on.

[Kevin_B]

This sounds like a really good deal, and I'm pretty interested in one for my 1990 sport nautique. Can anyone tell me what a factory cover from Correct craft might cost. Also I have a monster tower on the sport right now, could Rankin make a cover specific to the tower placement if I measured it myself?

[TRBenj]

I dont believe you can get a factory cover for a boat that age- but I could be wrong.

If Rankin has the template (which I *think* they do) then yes, they can put the tower cut outs in based on your measurements.


KB, the Rankin is a litle involved to put on. It does not work very well as a dust cover, as theres no half-assing it. Its either all buttoned up or nothing. It takes about 10 min to put on- its easiest on the trailer, but I put it on by myself on the lift all the time.

[KB]

hmmm, care to elaborate on the diffculty and this "buttoning up"?

It will be stored 100% of the time on a lift, under a roof in a boat house. The boat house is open on all sides (just a roof) and does get wet in a hard and/or windy rain.

Basically, the factory cover that came with it just doesn't seem to go on quite as easily as I need it to. The ratcheting (?) strings that are used to tighten it up are a bit complicated and theres all the straps (which I'm honestly not sure what to do with) that hang down.

Basically my dad, who I'm splitting use/cost with places a pretty big premium on convenience. He really doesn't want to deal with too much effort to put a cover on (and sometimes even routine wipe down type stuff). So consequently it ends up being kind of half-assed a lot of the time.

So I'm looking for a little more user friendly, type of thing...if you know what I mean. Or if anyone's got another idea.

I'd thought about a snap on cover, but I know those are sometimes a little frustrating. Not even sure if you can get one.

thanks

[TRBenj]

KB, I didnt say it was difficult- just involved. This is not a loose-fitting cover, so putting it on takes a few minutes. I'll describe the process for you:

I put the cover over the nose and lay the cover over the boat, front to back. I loosely put on a few of the straps that extend from the top of the cover to the swim platform to hold it in place. Ill connect the straps that extend from the drawsting and put a little bit of tension on them. Then Ill go around the boat and make sure all the hooks are secured to the rub rail. Ill return to the back and tighten down the drawstring straps tight. Then I tighten the top straps again. Then I tie off the excess straps so theyre not dangling into the water.

Theres really no way to shorten this process, even if you just want the cover to keep the dew off overnight. It just doesnt fit loosely enough to just drape over the boat. Once you get the process down though, it doesnt take any longer to put on than a cover that requires support poles and tie down straps.

As far as covers with snaps go, I believe thats something that a local shop could custom make for you. They may be a little more straightforward to put on and they do fit well- but you wont catch me drilling into my gelcoat. Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[KB]

okay, I've got you now. Doesn't sound like too much trouble, but not something you can do halfway either. If it was just me, I'd probably be all over it; but might be a little too many steps for pop. Keep trying to explain to him that even though our boat cost more than either of our cars, it takes a little more effort to take care of instead of just driving it into the 'garage" and leaving it.

[TRBenj]

I just submitted the 4th group of orders. If you sent me an order form, you should have received an email. Please let me know if I missed you!

We have now set an end date for the group buy. The last day to submit orders is Friday May 23, 2008.

[TRBenj]

The last orders have been submitted- everyone should have been notified. If I somehow missed you, please let me know!

Thanks to everyone who participated- the group buy is now closed!