Cover Pooling Prevention

[phantom268]

Well I searched but didn't really see any tips on how to prevent cover pooling / sagging. I got a new cover last season for my 98 Pro Air, and it's great except for this issue. Been trying to think of a way to prevent this. I'm not sure if there are any premade poles or whatever that might help remedy the problem, but I figured someone on here might have some advice. Seems to pool up in the rear corners right above the rear seat area.

I can't afford an elaborate solution (or a better cover) right now, last season was ROUGH. Anyway, if you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

Thanks for the help!

[bhectus]

I had this problem when I first got my '97 SS. The first thing I realized was that placing the center tent pole a little lower actually helped. 2nd and more importantly, the way, and the order in which you tie it down matters. Get it all situated, tie down the nose first. Then move to the back and pull and tie the center stern behind the platform (get this one as tight as you can). Then tie the the port and starboard platform ties. Then move to the ties next to each trailer guide. You want to pull these toward the rear of the trailer. This helps pull the cover tight to the stern. After these are tight, you can move to the sides of the boat and tie those tight. You want it tight from to back first, before you move to the sides. In my case, this helped out tremendously. I get no pooling now.

[Gasman87]

hangtyte.com

[Blue Ski]

bhectus is right, I remember the guy that made my cover stressing that bow to stern tension is more important than side to side.

[mcbridek]

Same problem on on 99 Sport, I added a second poll just behind the engine cover (set lower than the front pole). Also, I always install the Boat Vent II, buy direct for $12, very easy to install in the cover, the pole goes in, adds a vent......

[mcbridek]

Here is a second alternative - on my current 196, water pools in the rear, but also the back boat cover sits on the storage compartment vinyl and gets mold. I took a 1/2 C-PCV pipe from Lowes and when I put the cover on, I bow the pipe so it holds up the boat cover up. The bow is placed over the read seat. The pipe ends are where the floor meets the gunnel wall as far back as possible and the center of the bow holds up the cover. When you first buy the pipe, you have to experiment cutting the length so it bows the correct length/height. Works good with one exception, if the wind bows hard, the bow can move and slide out of place. I got this idea from a post on this WEB site. Also - on my 196 cover, it already has two poles / boat vents, one in front of the engine cover, one behind. The cover is a custom made water line cover (nicest full cover I have ever seen on a ski boat)