Custom Mooring Covers

[arondeau]

Guys,
I have always had custom SunBrella mooring covers made for my boats. I mount snaps under the rub-rail, and have a glove-tight cover made. They usually cost around $500-$600.00. Time for a new cover, SO, I was thinking about buying a good quality Westland, or a good quality cover from Overton's and put on my own snaps, etc. The aftermarket covers never really work well for mooring. If you have them on the trailer and tie them down, they're great. Any input? Where can I get a great fitting cover for mooring? I do not want any water to puddle-up anywhere, and I want to keep the boat dry. My boat sits at our lakehouse all week so it's not like I can bail it if it rains. Just trying to save a few bucks to buy a couple of good bottles of wine or something. Any ideas?

Andy

[TRBenj]

RE: Custom Mooring Covers

Check out the group buy running right now for Rankin covers: http://planetnautique.com/index.php?...wtopic&t=10634

You wont find a better fitting cover out there. Id suggest the sun skirts for mooring. You probably wont save any money going with a Rankin, even with the group buy pricing- but you get what you pay for.

Personally, I refuse to put snaps on my boat- though I suppose drilling into the rubrail is less invasive than the gelcoat.

[arondeau]

RE: Custom Mooring Covers

TR,
I would NEVER put snaps into the gelcoat, nor would I purchase a boat with them. I usually put them "under" the rubrail where you cannot see them. It has always worked out well........I see you are from New England. I ski in the Sturbridge area (Holland).

[TRBenj]

RE: Custom Mooring Covers

Andy, Ive been on the Hamilton Reservoir once- it was a long time ago. We have friends with a place there- they had a '87 Nautique. Is that where you ski?

[EarlyRiser]

RE: Custom Mooring Covers

I suggest you buy a cheap cover, drink the wine, & sweep the rain into the empty bottles. ER

[arondeau]

TR,
yea, I am on Hamilton Res, north Pond, the side with the dam........hey thanks for the tip on the boat covers. Do you own one? I am definitely going to pursue it. I want some feed-back from other members on them if possible.......How does the draw-string "hold" on the transom where it slopes down to the platform? There is no lip or anything to grab.

A -

[TRBenj]

Andy, I have a Rankin for my '90. Its pictured in the group buy thread (on the lift with the sun skirts). What year is your boat?

For feedback, check the group buy threads from last year. Also do a search- the covers have been discussed several times.

[arondeau]

TR,
my boat is a '94. I am going to contact Rankin tomorrow. Any idea what the lead time is on a cover?

[TRBenj]

Andy, I dont have a good picture of how my cover attaches in the back- Ill have to snap one this spring. The drawsting goes under the rub rail, and connects to straps that cinch together at the rear. The straps go under the platform (through the brackets) to connect to each other. There are pads that sit on the corners of the hull to keep the rope from wearing on the gel. There are also 5 straps that extend from the top of the cover towards the rear. Im able to secure them to the platform since it is slotted on my '90. The platform on your '94 will be solid, so you have a couple options- I would figure out a way to attach them to the lifting rings. Ive come up with a few ideas, so shoot me an email if you want: TRBenj@gmail.com.

I have no idea what the lead time would be for a cover right now- thats a good question for Rankin. In the past, theyve been very quick, but I would imagine this is their busiest time of year.