trailering - cover or not

[igkya]

I know NOT to trailer w/Sunbrella, but what does everyone think about using a cover while trailering? Also, what about using the swim platform for the trailer tie-down? I'd rather not have u-bolts put in the gelcoat.

[Rick]

I have not found anybody to tell me not to so I loop a tiedown from my trailer through the swimstep braces and back to the traiiler. So far I've not had any problems. If a 250# man can stand on the end of the step I can't imagine it not being strong enough to help hold the boat to the trailer (gravity does alot of it).

[Deuce]

Why not trailer with Sunbrella? I have trailered for years with snap down Sunbrella covers and have never heard there was a problem.

E.J.

[NautiqueJeff]

I trailer with my Sunbrella cover all the time. As long as it snaps down tightly and doesn't move around, I would not worry about having it on there. If it is a cover that attaches with ropes and covers part of the sides of the boat, I wouldn't do it.

[bbc3]

seen both ways...but something to consider---IF one of your snaps comes un-done while trailering, the flapping from the wind could and most likely will cause fiberglass damage. Doesn't seem like a trade-off to me: having your boat covered while trailering with the risk of an expensive glass job. just my $.02

[ag4ever]

I trailer with my cover about 25% of the time. My cover is the one with the drawstrig and ratchets to tighten it down. I just keep an eye on the cover while towing, and stop to fix it if I see it moving at all. So far I have not seen any damage done by the cover, and don't have a problem towing with the cover on it, but I usually only tow with the cover on long trip where I have things in the boat that are not secured, and use the cover as a way of keeping things contained. I can't see how it would really benift the boat by having the cover on it, other than keeping some bugs off the windshield.

[ag4ever]

Also, my dealer said to use the platform as the tiedown in the back if I wanted too. They also said that the rear tie-downs really are not necessary though.

[skinautique]

I would use a transom strap to tie the boat down and I don't recommend towing with the cover on unless it is pooring down rain. At that point, make sure the cover is tied down really well and I would leave the polls out of it. Otherwise, leave the boat open. You aren't going to hurt anything with it open.

[SprintCar39]

We pull all of our boats with covers on...rain or shine. We pulled one once with no cover behind our motorhome and it was full of small stones and junk when we got home. Took me a couple of hours to get ot all cleaned up. If it is an older cover they do not hold up well to being towed. We tow them with everything from the cheapest to the most expensive covers and never had any problems. Nice to have covers when we go to the boat shows also. It is a lot of work to shrink wrap 13 boats at each show. my .02 worth

[Edwin]

Tow w/ one all the time...never an issue if the cover is designed for towing and it fits well.

[Kenw]

I don't care to trailer with the cover on. The windshield can be really rough of the covers causing excessive or premature wear. Did CC round off the windshield frame?
If not and you choose to trailer with the cover on I would get some of those swim floats and put them on the frame before covering.

Ken

[Onthewater]

Cover off unless it is pouring or the roads are really bad(salt/dirt/dust). That is also due to having an older boat with an older cover.

[bradb]

With the cover off I can see behind me through the boat windshield (in the rear-view mirror). Plus, I don't like the cover flappin' against the boat.