Towing with cover on and rubbing

[idahosan]

So I have a '19 gs22 and have the towable cover. We have towed a couple short jaunts and no issues but went to our cabin a couple weeks ago and the cover left rub marks and scuffs all along the sides and top deck. It also left marks on the vinyl, specifically the locker hatches. It was on tight and the hang tight was taunt. Anyone have suggestions or seen this issue? I like using the cover for the 2 hour tow and will be bummed if I can't.

[jjackkrash]

How fast were you driving? The force of the wind gets exponentially more powerful the faster you drive.

I have a very nice towable cover and it still occasionally leaves scuff marks on long trips if I don't watch my speed and make sure everything is snug. If you want to tow fast with the cover on, you probably need to invest in a gear-driven forced orbital buffer like a Rupes Mille or Flex 3401 and some nice wool buffing pads.

[robertsmcfarland]

I have taken my boat from VA. to lake Powell and back ,the secret is to use painters tape on any area that might rub.. a five dollar solution , 75 mph and no marks or scuffs.....

[charlesml3]

This has been debated to death on this forum. I cannot come up with ANY compelling reason to tow a boat with the cover on it. What's the point? So it doesn't get some bugs on it or something?

I've seen boat after boat come into for repairs after it was towed with a cover on it. The worst was a 2018 SANTE 230. The ratchet strap at the back came loose and beat the back of that boat horribly. Ruined the platform. Big chunks taken out of the gelcoat on the back of the boat.

I just don't see how the risk is worth the reward.

-Charles

[ScooterMcgavin]

Another thing that can be done IF you absolutely want to tow with the cover on is to go around the boat with shrink wrap where the cover touches the boat then put cover on. Do a search on here this topic has been discussed many times on here.

[kylant]

tow without unless it is raining

[cedarcreek216]

Tow without it rain or shine, short or long trips. I have not heard any reason stated in many threads about this that would convince me to tow with a cover. We put thousands of miles a summer on our trailer all with no cover and I have never had a towing incident in the boat due to no cover. Some bugs, for sure. A little dust or dirt, yup. But never any damage.


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[charlesml3]

Yea, cedarcreek has it right. The ONLY reason I've ever heard for towing with the cover is on is "it keeps the boat cleaner" but that doesn't justify the risk. Not even close.

-Charles

[nyryan2001]

10,000th time. Never tow with the cover on unless you’re inviting damages to gel, tower and damaging your cover.

[Tallredrider]

My Nautique cover for my G23 was awesome. I used it to tow 150 miles repeatedly at 75 the entire way with no problems. I liked it because when bringing a large crew to Lake Powell, it gets harder to find places for sleeping bags, pillows and all of the other junk people want to bring. Some of it is lightweight and can't just be placed in the boat.

I was actually surprised that the consensus so far was to tow with the cover off.

I think it may make a difference on different models. And I suspect it also makes a difference if the boat is towed level, slightly nose down or up.

YMMV, but my experience is that a G23 towed level does very well with current cover all snugged down.

[xxrb2010]

Agree with Tallererider, on a 2016 G21 with factory towable cover, always towed with cover on, 75 to 80 mph, 3 hours trip highway, no issue whatsoever. Recommended by the dealer too.

We might not talk about the same cover.

[charlesml3]

Gang, we're not talking about anecdotes here. There will be PLENTY of people with "Towed mine hundreds of miles with no problem." We're talking about risk vs. reward. I've seen too much cover damage on boats to take the risk. It simply isn't worth it. I can spend an hour cleaning bugs off. I have no desire to have the boat in the shop for 4 weeks getting fiberglass repaired.

[xxrb2010]

@charlesml3
I do have another cover make from a third respected party (do not remember the brand) that is for towing, but I use it modified with side panels to completely protect the boat on the lift. I will never tow a boat with such a cover. So, I am not sure the issue is risk vs reward. The issue looks like to have a true towable cover from the factory in a brand new shape vs everything else. The only cover I have seen capable of towing is the one from the factory. The fitting is tight to a 2/32 inch prescision. The ratchets at the back are protected in a hard plastic box with soft duvet on the boat side. If I remember correctly, the MSRP was in the two thousand at that time. So not your $500 cover or even $900 cover from third party. The material is not breathable, but it is strong. I store the cover in a box in a garage when not towing to extend its usefull life. I guess, if the cover is left outside, the material will start to stretch due to the sun and weather in a couple of years and then you should not tow with it anymore. The material on my cover is still snug after 4 years (4 trips per year). People who trade boat every year or other year might not have the same experience than people who use their cover for boat protection and towing for more than a year or two.

[charlesml3]

I'm not really sure what point you were trying to make.

Mine is simple: It is not worth the risk to tow with a cover on. Any cover. As the OP stated, he has places on the gelcoat and vinyl that are rubbed and chafed. Maybe they can be repaired? I don't know. Doesn't matter. Any bugs that would have gotten on the boat could be easily cleaned. Again, risk vs. reward.

[idahosan]

With my previous boat I only towed with the cover on when we went to our cabin. It's a 2.5 hour tow and we usually have the interior full of stuff, like Tallredrider. This is the first thing about our Nautique that is a little bit of a bummer. The cover is listed as the towable but it definitely left marks and scuffs. They all came out and no harm no foul. Just have to adjust expectations and find a way to store all our crap when we go. Maybe we don't need so much crap LOL!