Boat cover for Sport Nautique

[toddo75]

Can anyone recommend a good online company to get a custom boat cover for my sport nautique? Looking for one that is user friendly and easiest to put on. I rarely trailer my boat as I keep it on a boat lift. I know everyone liked the rankin boat covers but it seems they went out of business. Any suggestions for a nice tight fitting good boat cover?
Thanks
Todd

[swc5150]

Coversports is the best (very similar to the Rankin). Call or email Brent Flemming.

theprocover.com

[TRBenj]

I have a Rankin and love it, but if you dont tow, and want something thats easy to put on when the boats on the lift, then that type of trailerable cover would be the LAST type of cover I would recommend. In order to make it super tight, the fit is very precise- so its not easy to put on unless you have unrestricted walking access around the entire perimeter of the boat. Thats not the case on my lift, so I have to get in the water. It takes me 10-15 minutes to get my cover on. Not fun if a storm is coming or when the mosquitos are biting! Its also not cheap. On the other hand, when I do trailer with it, its great!

If you want a good mooring cover, then I would highly recommend contacting Angola Canvas. They should have most (if not all) of the patterns on hand, even for older boats, as they supplied Midwest Correct Craft with boat covers dating back to the 60's. They have material options ranging from cotton to sunbrella and their patterns are very good, and their workmanship is excellent. They wont fit super tight like a trailerable cover (so they'll require bungees and support poles) but thats also what makes them easy to put on. They'll also put on skirts or extend the cover to the waterline to protect the boat from the sun, too. For a lift kept boat, I wouldnt go any other way. Im ordering one for myself this spring- their prices seem very reasonable.

[swc5150]

I can put my Coversports on just about as fast as my regular mooring cover. 2-3 minutes tops. I actually find it easier than messing around with the poles. Of course, that's on a 196. I have no experience with any other boat model.

[toddo75]

thanks

If you can put your cover on in 2-3 minutes, that is the cover I want. The one I have now takes me 20-30 minutes. Not fun at all. I do have it on a shorestation lift so getting access around the boat is not that easy. Thanks for your input guys! It is appreciated!

[JB-FOOT]

great covers, good prices, ship anywhere..

If you want a good cover for your Sport Nautique, Call or email Mike at http://www.tumacscovers.net
his email is tumacsmike@comcast.net...they have been making covers for 50+ years...As a former boat dealer, including Nautiques, they made 100% of my covers for all of my new and used boats...they still make my covers for all of my personal boats...and NO, I DON'T WORK for them or get anything out of it....I'm just one fellow boater trying to help out another...when you call them it is imperative that you talk persoanlly with Mike, explain exactly what you want and how your boat set up is, including what side you want to be able to button and tighten up the cover from...
They will have your pattern either with or without a tower
JMHO...
JB

[TRBenj]

I can put my Coversports on just about as fast as my regular mooring cover. 2-3 minutes tops. I actually find it easier than messing around with the poles. Of course, that's on a 196. I have no experience with any other boat model.

On land or on the lift? Do you have open walking access all the way around the boat? My understanding is that the Coversports covers use the same exact design as the Rankin, as the business was started by a former Rankin employee. If you could get my Rankin on while my '90 Ski Nautique is on its lift in under 3 minutes, then that is something I would pay to see! Ive had this cover for 4 seasons... its super tight and is built like a tank- but it is NOT easy to put on when the boat is in the water! I am not dealing with tower cut outs, etc, either.

Theres also no "half-arsing" the Rankin... if I ski late and plan to ski again early the next morning, and just want something to protect the boat from dew, I cant just toss it on as a dust cover. Maybe I wont tighten the straps *quite* as much, but theres really not much time to be saved over the full up, water tight install.

Now that Ive got a canopy for the lift, I bought another cover that will be easier to put on... Im looking forward to the speedier cover on/off process! The Rankin will be reserved for when I tow.

Again, I would highly recommend taking a look at Angola. I would also put in a call to skiboatcovers.com, as Ive heard very good things about their covers as well. I dont have any first hand experience with them though. Also call around to see if someone local can make you something custom. Its always nice to support local businesses... but in my experience, their quotes are 50%-100% higher than a comparable mooring cover from Angola or skiboatcovers, and even slightly more expensive than a towable cover like a Rankin.

[01bigair]

I can put my Coversport cover on by myself in about 5 minutes on trailer or on the water, if you can step off of your swim step to a dock or ?, then I would look at them. Easy to tow with, can be thrown on just to cover up or can be tightened down and doesn't take much longer to do the latter. I can take it off in about the same amount of time. Both Nautiques I have owned had this brand cover and I wouldn't even consider anything else because I am vey happy with what I have. The part I like the most is no snaps to bust your knee or shin on when boat is not covered. Good luck with whichever you chose.

[TRBenj]

I can put my Coversport cover on by myself in about 5 minutes on trailer or on the water, if you can step off of your swim step to a dock or ?, then I would look at them. Easy to tow with, can be thrown on just to cover up or can be tightened down and doesn't take much longer to do the latter. I can take it off in about the same amount of time. Both Nautiques I have owned had this brand cover and I wouldn't even consider anything else because I am vey happy with what I have. The part I like the most is no snaps to bust your knee or shin on when boat is not covered. Good luck with whichever you chose.

I totally agree on the lack of snaps!

I have to say that I am completely baffled as to how you guys with Coversports can be putting on your covers so quickly. Are they just like Rankins, like I was lead to believe? Do they have the cloth covered metal hooks going along the sides that grab the rub rail? If so, I just dont see how you can put the cover on from inside the boat, moving to the platform, unless maybe they were adjusted to be really loose? My cover fits so tight that there is no way these hooks find their way into place on their own. I have to secure the cover front to back (loosely) so it stays in place, then go around and put all the hooks over the rubrail. This involves getting in the water and walking around the whole boat- or precariously dancing around my lift. Once theyre on, then I can go back and tighten the straps and the cinches/rub rail rope. Easily a 10 minute ordeal, even when Im hustling. If I try to stay dry, it can take longer. Maybe you guys have a trick that I havent thought of?

I have a few other covers that dont fit all that great (mostly cheaper ones) but at least they go on quickly. They also give me an option to just drape the cover over the boat if making the boat water tight isnt required.

[migs]

as you roll the cover back towards the rear - you reach over (from inside the boat) and clip the L type clips over the rub rail. Then when you are on the swim deck you tighten the buckle and youre done. Quick and easy. You do the same thing with the zippers that go around the tower legs - from inside the boat as you roll back from the nose.

[BrennanK]

If you are on a dock with a Coversports or Rankin cover all you do is throw it on roll it out and swing one side (not the dock side) way over the edge of the boat and pull it back until the clips catch the rub rail; you can do all of this starting in the boat and working back until you are standing on the platform. Then you can tighten one of the back straps and and step onto the dock and flick on the other clips on the dock side. Keep some tension on the one side while applying the other clips. Then step back onto the platform and tighten the rest of the straps.

I did this by myself every night in the dark for 2 weeks. It only took me about 5 minutes, and it was very tight fit after. Granted you need access to the platform and one side of the boat.

If you are on your trailer it is even easier. Just roll it out, put on the middle back strap, and walk around and put on the clips then tighten the rest of the straps. You can do all that in under 5 minutes; even less if you and a buddy on the other side, then you can each roll out a side applying the clips as you unroll.

I can put on my Coversports / Rankin cover faster and tighter then I ever could with my old boats snapping cover, both on the water and off. I will never have a different cover; it is by far the best cover I have ever used.

[Super_sport]

Friend of mine just bought one of these (diff model) off ebay for $165.. says it was good quality and good price. ebay search them (autoshield seller)... for a quick fix... just a thought.... not custom, not OE.. not expensive.

BOAT COVER CORRECT CRAFT SPORT NAUTIQUE BR, 1998-2002
Seller info
Member id autoshield ( Feedback Score Of 96
100% Positive feedback
Visit store: Ebay Storesautoshield

[shag]

I have bought covers for my boat locally here in Orlando. Call Chuck with A and D canvas in Winterpark, he does excellent work, I have used him for about 10 plus years and referred many that are happy as well. His number is 407-448-1831.
He is not the cheapest, but definitely a quality product. They usually do the snaps on the underside of the rub rail. I have trailered many times without problem as well.

Mike Junge

[wake_fun]

Friend of mine just bought one of these (diff model) off ebay for $165.. says it was good quality and good price. ebay search them (autoshield seller)... for a quick fix... just a thought.... not custom, not OE.. not expensive.

BOAT COVER CORRECT CRAFT SPORT NAUTIQUE BR, 1998-2002
Seller info
Member id autoshield ( Feedback Score Of 96
100% Positive feedback
Visit store: Ebay Storesautoshield

Did you get one for you SS?

[Super_sport]

Not yet... but its still in storage for another week or so. I have an old Canvas cover that came with the boat, but its seen better days. Its a nice custom snap on cover, but its so old its starting to tear at the seams when you synch it down, so its time for a new one. I might try one of those off ebay for $160, my buddy says it does the job. I just need something to cover it while it sits next to the garage at home. I am only 2 miles from the lake/river. I just need something to keep the rain and bugs out mid-week. and for that price I can try it. Unless I try to patch the old cover. They emailed me that it does cover the swim platform too... looks reasonable. I dont have a tower yet, so when that gets added, Im sure I will have to get something else anyway.