cover supports

[AirJeff]

Just wondering if anyone has any feedback on this cover support system on an Air/Sport Nautique.(it's at Overton's) I'm not sure if this will be big enough for the boat. Or is there something else that works better? Right now we just have a section of 3" PVC we put over the pylon and it's not enough support.

[dba4life]

RE: cover supports

Hi,

I have used this support system. It will be big enough to work on a Nautique. However I would only recommend using it if you are putting the cover on for a long time. If you plan on using it on a daily or weekly basis to me, it took too long to get it setup each time. The straps get all tangled up as well.

The previous owner of my 94 Sport made a piece of PVC that fits behind the engine box and in front of the rear seat. It supports the cover just fine. Takes 2 seconds to put in the boat. That may work better for you.

Kevin

[Drew00]

RE: cover supports

AirJeff, I use some boat cover supports that I bought from Academy Sports. I place one in the bow and one in front of the seats in the back of the boat. I have a '00 Super Air, these things have never failed me. The cover goes on nice and tight and really keeps any water from accumulating on it. They have domed shaped tips that are really broad so it supports more cover. They were about $12 a piece. Good Luck.
Drew

[efox]

RE: cover supports

I would second dba4life's post. I bought one and found it to be a burden. I am planing on making a "frame" of PVC parts that I can plop in the boat and throw the cover over while on the lift.

Eric

[AirJeff]

RE: cover supports

So, I'm thinking that system doens't sound like the greatest. Anyone have pics of their PVC system?

[ajdouglas]

RE: cover supports

Here is a link on MBO with a great PVC cover system

http://www.malibuboatowners.com/foru...83&st=0&hl=pvc

[AirJeff]

RE: cover supports

I'd love to come up with a system like that, but I don't have all of those nice chrome rails. I've got two short ones up front and that's it. In back I have the plastic handles, which would scratch up. I'll attach a couple of pics. I could rig something up to go between the two lift rings, but I don't know how to get something to go from side to side. I guess I'll probably need to figure out more of a frame to set in the boat.

[efox]

Hi Jeff,

I was thinking about this very thing again. I thought something like a "spine" running from the winshield (I have a CB) to the grab Rail on the back, with "ribs" that will bow and fit into the gunwale recesses. On the ends of the ribs I was thinking of using cane tips to protect the gelcoat.

I have some electrical work to do this summer, so I may buy some extra and play a bit!


Eric

[wakejunky]

I have one of those boat cover systems which I haven't used in over 5 years, it's just sitting in my garage. Anybody want to make me an offer?

Chris

[83sn2001]

efox, I can't remember who it was or what kind of boat but I have seen someone use a piece of pvc pipe to do what you are thinking of. You would just have to come up with a connection method. If I remember correctly it was thin walled pvc maybe 3/4".

[BASC]

My 196SN with FCT is in the water from now until late September and is protected by a full mooring cover.
To keep the rain out, (and there is a lot of that here in the UK), I have constructed a basic tent type frame using 4mm plactic piping.
2 inverted 'T' sections act as the feet (one front, one back), 3 straight sections link the 'T' pieces together and run down the centre from the screen to the back seat, this forms the basic tent shap.
Once I have driven her to the mooring, 2 bungie ropes that are attached to one side of the cover are run under the boat and attached to the other side, this addes a small amount of tension to the tent shape.
Result. The rain water runs straight off the cover.
The whole sytem takes 5 minutes to put together before I drive the boat out to the mooring and couple more minutes once there to close the cover and hook up the bungees.
Total cost maybe $20.00.