Need a new cover - should I go with a snap on cover?

[flaudia402]

My '06 220 is kept in our fully enclosed boat dock year round. Even though the dock acts like a full garage for our boat we still cover it with the cover that came with the boat (I think it was around $500-600). It's been great the past few years however it's meant for a boat that is kept on a trailer. Still, we just don't tie down the straps, and just run the cover all the way around and cinch it up tight, covering everything from the bow to the swim deck. Problem is, we're having Mud Daubers (Wiki article for those of you interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mud_dauber - in short they're like Wasps that make brown colored mound nests where they keep their prey), making their nests under our cover inside the boat. They fly in in loose spaces, and the cover is a perfect hiding space - dark and away from predators. This is a real nuisance and we're considering switching over to a snap on cover since this provides a much more secure fit. However, I've heard good/bad things about this. Are there any other options? Those of you with a snap cover, how do you like it? What is the general cost we're looking at having this installed? Is it difficult to snap on after time? Does the material become loose/tight?

Thanks for your help!

J

[NautiqueJeff]

I have used a snap-on cover before and liked them fine. I had two. One was a solid cover that covered the whole boat. The other was two separate covers - one for the bow, and one for the rest of the boat. I liked that one better.

[AirTool]

Jeff - on the second one, did you use the snaps under the rub rail trick? that looks clean.

[NautiqueJeff]

Yes. At the time, I loved that cover. I liked the one on the 230 better, and my current Cover Sports even better.

[AirTool]

Yes. At the time, I loved that cover. I liked the one on the 230 better, and my current Cover Sports even better.

All good points. Everyone's needs are different. I rarely cover...my cover comes about half way down which is "okay" for what I need. In the future, when my boat is hanging in the sun, I'm going to want full coverage all the way down to the tracking fins LOL. For flaudia402, your first pic might be the way to go since he is in a boat house.

Here is another from a "for sale" post nice boat I almost made a run at (OT: but I didn't like the black stripe and the black piping.)

http://www.planetnautique.com/vb3/at...0&d=1313185059

[boatbuddy]

We have the 2 piece snap cover on our 230 and it works well however I would not have a snap cover again since I do not like the look of the snaps when the cover is off

On our other Nautiques we did not have snaps and like the ratchet cover the best

Maybe if the snaps can go under the rub rail

Personal preference I guess

[jhiestand]

I have a snap on cover and the snaps are up under the rub rail. Probably easier to put it on than a cinch-style cover, but I don't like the looks of the snaps with the cover off -- you can still see them. It doesn't bother me much, and I rarely cover my boat since it stays in our garage. If you don't mind the look of the snaps under the rub rail it's a good deal. The covers that run a strap all the way around and ratchet at the back are almost as easy and look cleaner, IMO.

[ccs]

Just traded in our 2003 Nautique 226 and it had the custom made cover with snaps just under the rub rail. The cover and snaps worked OK - not great, but I too do not like the look of the snaps on my boat when the cover is off - not to mention I hate them having to drill into my "baby" to put the snaps in - LOL

Needless to say - spending what I am to order a 2012 SAN 230 - i will not be drilling snaps into the side of my boat for a snap cover.

[OKWAKEBDR]

I have a 2-piece snap cover (under the rub rail and platform) on my '05 210. While GREAT for towing because there are no staps to flap around, it SUCKS to put on because it is INCREDIBLY tight. For covering the boat on a lift under cover, I would not get a snap cover. As a matter of fact, I'll probably NEVER do another snap cover. (Although the ones on both of Jeff's boats in the pics above look pretty manageable.)

[HS]

I have a cinch style Rankin cover. I recently heard that the Rankin business had closed, so if I were looking today, I would consider a cover sports.

We have a snap on bow tonneau which is barely ever used, but I like the way the strapless / ratchet style cover works over the strap style (sharskin) we initially had.