New thread on boat covers

[Mikeski]

After searching a bit it seems we probably need to post up a new thread on boat covers, I will start it off.

I have 2 boats and 3 or 4 covers I currently use.

For long term storage outdoors I cover my ski boat with a Carver Sun-Dura cover. It was reasonably priced, fits the boat reasonably well, it is trailerable, lightweight, and just seems to be good enough to do what a boat cover should do. The Sun-Dura material is breathable and waterproof. Much better product than the old Sharkskin covers that cause the boat go get moldy.

Wakeboat cover #1 is a 9 year old Rankin cover that I bought second hand. I had it cleaned and resewed a few areas where needed and it is holding up quite well. Looks great and tows well. The sunbrella has lost it's water repellency but a good spraying with 303 Fabric Guard would probably return it to an acceptable level if I wanted to keep it outdoors.

Wakeboat cover #2 is a 8 year old custom sunbrella full side cover. It fits pretty well but it is close to retirement. There are some splits, tears, and other issues. Being a full side cover also makes it big and heavy to carry and stow. It too is no longer water repellent and I have resprayed it with 303 on two previous occasions.

I have also had Sharkskin covers which I do not recommend at all. I have had a couple generic covers which are also a bit of a waste of money.

A friend of mine just asked what she should do to cover her 2002 SAN and I am recommending either the Carver Sun-Dura cover as a good budget option or a Coversports cover as the deluxe option. I know that Brent from Coversports is sometimes difficult to reach and there have been mixed reviews over time for his business practices (full pre-payment and slow delivery) so I would be curious to get a recent update from somebody that has purchased a Coversports cover recently (as well as an updated contact if it has changed).

I have also seen Jeff endorse the new factory covers on his new G boats recently. Not sure if this type of cover is available for our aging boats?

Zach at N3 was kind enough to provide a quote on an Angola cover for my ski boat when I was in the market last year. I almost bought one but decided to save a few bucks and try the Carver cover. I suspect I would be happy if I had opted for the Angola cover.

Post up your covers!

[Mikeski]

cover pix

Black covers are not that easy to take pictures of...

Here is the Carver Sun-Dura cover in black and the custom fill side cover when it was only a year old.

[xlair]

I should be able to give an update on Coversports within the next month. Order was placed end of March and Brent said it should be done end of April or early May. He has been responsive via email or phone with any questions. Hopefully it is as good as advertised!

[core-rider]

Great timing as I just ordered a Coversports cover for my '03 210 SANTE last week. I'm replacing my factory cover from 2003 that has some minor wear and never really gets used more than 3-4 times a year. It was never meant to be a trailer-able cover and has never been water-resistant. After reading over countless threads about Covercraft here and on other forums that is what I went with because I wanted a great mooring cover that was water-resistant as well as a trailer-able cover.

I tried contacting Brent through their website, but didn't get a response back after 1 week, so I called his number I found on one of the threads and had to leave a voicemail which was returned later that day. I asked a few questions about possibly customizing it. Brent took his time to answer all my questions and give me his feedback. The next day I emailed him at theprocover@gmail.com with a few more follow up questions. He replied back later that day as well. The next morning I emailed back telling him I wanted to order a cover. Later that morning I received a PayPal invoice and paid it. With the exception of not receiving return correspondence upon my initial attempt through the Coversports website I had no issues contacting Brent. (believe that link may not be active)

I say all this to help curb some of the old rumors that Brent is hard to contact. Maybe that is true and I just got lucky, but I had good luck. I will say I asked about any kind of discount being a PN member and he replied that he could not give any discounts and that his prices may soon be going up. I'm curious and hopeful at the same time that I will get my cover within the 4-5 weeks he said it normally takes, but he also said business has been busy and he just recently finished covers that were ordered last September. :-/ I have a reminder set on my phone to call him 4 weeks out from my ordering date and ask about progress. I have a few events starting in June that I would really like my new cover for them.

Contact Info:
Brent Fleming
(425) 491-9 six four 1
theprocover@gmail.com

[scarbs]

Are the Coversports covers available in any other colors besides black and grey?

[nyryan2001]

I have had 2 G23 covers.... I like them.... but they will scratch the **** out of the boat and the tower if you try to tow with them.

Very few things with anything in the wake industry ever get to a consensus...as everything is subjective and opinions are everywhere ...But there definitly is one with 20,000 members on the Malibu forum.... Evolution Covers.... guy named Cory is the owner.

When I bought this 2nd G I tried to have Cory make a G23 cover so I could have it included in my deal. The local Nautique dealer up there in the PNW, not sure specifically where, would not let him on his lot to spec and measure a G23 so he could make a cover, because Cory's covers would then become competition.

without a doubt his covers fit better, last longer, keep more water out.... and above all for me are 100% towable without damage and chafe to gel, windshield frames, or towers. He sews in a middle strap so you have an easy way to do a center support lift with a bungee or ratchet up to the tower to keep water from pooling. No poles required.

At the point I need a new cover... I am going to Cory, I hope he is able to get the G23s spec'd and fit by then.

[core-rider]

Are the Coversports covers available in any other colors besides black and grey?

Yes, basically any color Sunbrella offers I think he will use, but black is his usual color to use. I'm sure different colors might be longer lead items just because he would need to wait for material possibly.

I have had 2 G23 covers.... I like them.... but they will scratch the **** out of the boat and the tower if you try to tow with them.

Very few things with anything in the wake industry ever get to a consensus...as everything is subjective and opinions are everywhere ...But there definitly is one with 20,000 members on the Malibu forum.... Evolution Covers.... guy named Cory is the owner.

When I bought this 2nd G I tried to have Cory make a G23 cover so I could have it included in my deal. The local Nautique dealer up there in the PNW, not sure specifically where, would not let him on his lot to spec and measure a G23 so he could make a cover, because Cory's covers would then become competition.

without a doubt his covers fit better, last longer, keep more water out.... and above all for me are 100% towable without damage and chafe to gel, windshield frames, or towers. He sews in a middle strap so you have an easy way to do a center support lift with a bungee or ratchet up to the tower to keep water from pooling. No poles required.

At the point I need a new cover... I am going to Cory, I hope he is able to get the G23s spec'd and fit by then.

I looked into the Evolution covers as well, but they don't look to do much with Nautique and I didn't want the hassle or added wait times of the having to get measurements. Their covers look very similar to Coversports so I don't see why they wouldn't be well built as well.

Regarding chaffing, that was one of my biggest concerns with Coversports since I have an all black boat. I know it will show scratches easily. I asked about sewing a softer fabric like felt or microfiber on the inside where the cover touches the gel surfaces, but he advised against it saying he had only done it once on a Mastercraft and the added fabric made it heavier and soaked up water through the stitching. He said it wasn't really necessary either. The only problems he'd really had with chaffing were boats that were towed behind RVs or buses for real long distance like pro tours or company reps. The wind coming around the RV/bus would cause the cover to move a lot. Average users wouldn't notice.

[nyryan2001]

Jason-

I would advise you to give Cory a call.... he definitly has done some Nautiques.... just not all of the latest models. He may have yours done... ask him. Hundreds of Malibu owners swear by his covers, its like a cult over there as it pertains to Cory and his covers. All of them tow with them on, never one single negative report on his covers or customer service ever. He is that good.

I had the same dicussion with Cory about the felt on the worst areas above the rubrail that gets the worst chafing.... and he too advised against it, but for different reasons. Brand new yes, they are soft and protect... but over time that felt collects dust, rocks and such and becomes abrasive sand paper. No Good.

The key to a good boat cover not scratching the gel, tower, winshield frame....****, even have heard reports of damaging the vinyl on the sunpad from rubbing during a long tow..... is the cover being on SUPER ridiculous tight..... that severely limits movement. I remember Cory saying to put his covers on so tight you are scared of hurting yourself!

And I can post up pics of the damage factory covers will do to gel and the towers if needed. I will NEVER tow with a factory cover.

[NautiqueJeff]

I towed all over the place with my factory cover lat year (tower down) and had very little scratching in the black gel.

[Nauti-by-Nature]

I bought a cover sports cover last summer and definitely recommend it. It goes on in minutes and keeps my boat dry as a bone inside. I've towed with it, but never long distances. I didn't have any issues with Brent other than it took several weeks to receive it after I ordered.

[countiemountie]

Who should I call for an inexpensive trailerable cover? I have a nice Sunbrella that has the typical 2 support poles and ties off at the back off the boat. It's only 3 seasons old and has been used as a supplement to my Shorestation's canopy. However, I'm pretty sure that one is not trailerable.
Thanks for any info.

[core-rider]

Unfortunately I don't think there is such a thing as an inexpensive, trailer-able cover. I guess expensive is a moot point when you're talking about protecting a 5-6 figure purchase... Another $1000 isn't really that big a deal IMO.

[bhectus]

Based on the Carver Sun-Dura cover pic of Mikeski's boat and his recommendation I went ahead and pulled the trigger on one today. Got from boatcoversdirect.com and only paid $299 shipped and it included the tie-down straps. Can't beat it for the price. My boat sits in the garage most of the time so I just need it for when its at my parents house or at my brother-in-laws sitting in the water over the weekend once in a while. My previous covers have all been custom made sunbrella and the boats have always been stored outside. Sunbrella is a great fabric and very water resistant. A yearly cleaning and 303 treatment was all it took to keep them looking and performing like new, even in the brutal FL sun and rain.
I'll post up a few pics once I get it in a week or so.

[Mikeski]

Here is a better pic on my Carver cover


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[Full-Force]

Here is a better pic on my Carver cover


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Is that a sunbrella or sundura