Adding a bow cover

[actiondcpd]

I have a 2003 SAN. I would like to add a bow cover. People that have bow covers, do you find yourselves using them often? I think it would be nice to have for cold mornings and for longer road trips. It would be nice to put stuff in the bow and cover it and not have to worry about it blowing out. What do you guys think?

[bkhallpass]

Action,

I have a 2001 Super Air which came stock with the cover. If I were to
buy a new boat, I would definitely add a bow cover.

I'm sure I am the unusual case, but I almost never take the
bow cover off. I prefer closed bow boats, and with the cover
on it really feels like a closed bow.

I'll admit, we rarely have more than 4 in the boat, and I do live
on the water, so I don't haul around the amount of "stuff" that
most folks do. We also take the boat out a lot at night, and it is a lot more
enjoyable without the air streaming through the bow. The heater
is also more effective when the bow cover is on.
I'd like to have a new cover made to match our bimini.

Probably take the cover off less than 5% of the operational hours.

CC dealer told me that folks complained that they scraped themselves
on the snaps. I say that's BS. In three years, we've never had
anyone get scratched on the snaps. I think it was just a cost
reduction.

Anyway, I for one say - go for it.

BKH

[ag4ever]

Both me and my wife have scraped ourselves on the snaps. I would bet that since you have a house on the water you have never had to climb in from the water over the bow.

Even with the scrapes and bruises it has caused, I would not want to go with out it.

[bkhallpass]

I would bet that since you have a house on the water you have never had to climb in from the water over the bow.

HMMM, your probably right. I don't think I've ever climbed in from
the water to the bow.

Only time I can think I would need to would be if the boat were beached,
and I was trying to get in without getting wet. I've never beached the
boat, so that hasn't come up.

BKH

[skiswm]

I LOVE my bow cover. My first boat didn't have one, the first thing we had installed after one drive.......bow cover. The wind is really cut down, plus you can store items up there w/out them blowing out as you drive on the lake or tow the boat around. Granted, usually I only have 3-6 peole in the boat at a time, but still the cover is a great asset I must admit. I haven't scraped myself at all on the snaps, and have found when I need to get up front it's easy to unsnap the cover, or I just walk around the side of the boat and don't even bother taking it off if I am doing a quick docking.

[Alan-S]

I have a 01 SAN and have the snaps but no cover, the previous owner had lost it I think. What is the best way to get one and how much would it cost me?

[igkya]

Do you have to install new snaps for a bow cover? Why couldn't you have the bow cover made to use the same snaps as you cover?

[Deuce]

Use my cover for exactly the things you mention actiondcpd . Keep the bow covered up on cool morning and evenings. Sometimes just keep it on and stuff crap up there to keep out of the wind, covered when quick rainstorms...ect.

Never been scratched by snaps on this boat or my previous boat....

E.J.

[bkhallpass]

I have a 01 SAN and have the snaps but no cover, the previous owner had lost it I think. What is the best way to get one and how much would it cost me?

Alan-S The originals for 2001 were kind of a plastic/vinyl. in 2002,
They went to pretty light weight canvas. The originals were made by Taylor Made (same people who make bumpers and a lot of other boat stuff). I don't know what a replacement would cost.

I think you are the one with a light blue boat, white stripe. If I were
you, I would go to my canvas guy, and have him make a cover
out of Sunbrella which matched my bimini. I've seen it done
on other boats and it looked great. That is what I plan to do
next year as mine is wearing out a bit. Again, don't know what it costs.

BKH

[bkhallpass]

Do you have to install new snaps for a bow cover? Why couldn't you have the bow cover made to use the same snaps as you cover?

igkya,

In 03 or 04, CC stopped putting snaps and bow covers on the
open bows. I'm not sure, but I dont' think they are even offering
as a factory option. Therefore, the folks with later model boats
have to add snaps or find some othe way of attaching the bow cover.

BKH

[igkya]

let me re-phrase... why can't you have the bow cover made so that it wraps over the rubrail and uses the same snaps that you use for your regular boat cover?

[bkhallpass]

let me re-phrase... why can't you have the bow cover made so that it wraps over the rubrail and uses the same snaps that you use for your regular boat cover?

Got it. I don't see why you couldn't.

I think there a few reasons why you might not.

1) Most people don't have snap down mooring covers. They seem
to be more popular in Midwest, Canada, and cold weather climates,
than in California.

2) I think it might look funny with canvas draped over the side to the
rub rail

3) I would think that the canvas would get really wet if draped over the
side to the rub rail

Thoughts?

BKH

[actiondcpd]

Alan-S, check your PM. I think i'm going to see about getting one made. I'll report back when I find out more information.

[Texas88]

I know, I know, a closed bow boat owner probably shouldn't enter into a conversation about bow covers. But if I had an open bow I would have a cover to keep all the wind out on cold mornings. The thing that really has me puzzled however, is how strong do you and your wife (ag4ever) have to be to get over the bow from the water. I can barely get up on the platform after a long set.

Bryan