Boat cover Side Skirt installation ideas

[Evening Shade]

Hey guys I’m looking for ideas for an easier way to install my cover side curtains. The way they currently work is they have pipe insulation running the entire length at the top.You stuff the top with the pipe insulation under the boat cover above the rub rail so that it gets sandwiched between the boat and cover. It’s simple in theory, but with a GS 20 it’s difficult for one person to do because you have to get the cinch strap pretty tight so the skirts don’t fall out under their own weight. However, tightening the cinch strap makes it hard to stuff the side skirt in above the rub rail especially where the hull angles in near the bow.

I’m looking for ideas on how to install non-marring clips or something that would allow me to fasten the skirts to the cover. Unfortunately, I don’t have a sewing machine.

Here's a pic with the side curtains installed.

[GMLIII]

I have seen a friend of mine that had the Centurion Ri23 standard mooring cover and he had a canvas shop put snaps around the cover in which he snaps the side curtains to it.. He said it has worked well. Prior to this method, the canvas shop sewed all the skirts to the cover but it was entirely too heavy to manage.

[charlesml3]

It’s simple in theory, but with a GS 20 it’s difficult for one person to do because you have to get the cinch strap pretty tight so the skirts don’t fall out under their own weight. However, tightening the cinch strap makes it hard to stuff the side skirt in above the rub rail especially where the hull angles in near the bow.

I’m looking for ideas on how to install non-marring clips or something that would allow me to fasten the skirts to the cover. Unfortunately, I don’t have a sewing machine.

Here's a pic with the side curtains installed.

OK, this isn't so bad once you get the trick of it. First thing you need to do is cut some of the pipe insulation. These fit much better if the pipe insulation inside the hem stops about six inches short of the skirt. In other words, there will be six inches of skirt fabric on EACH END with no pipe insulation in it.

Next it's all about getting the cinch strap tight enough, but not too tight. If it's "guitar string" tight, you simply cannot pull it out far enough to get the skirt started. If it's too loose, the skirt will fall out on its own. This is just a matter of practice. Lay the skirt out so it's mostly being supported by the lift beams. Start at the back of the boat. Slide the skirt in and scoot it as far back as you can get it. Now there are a few gyrations. You have to sorta hold the cover down while you wrap your arms around the lift post so it doesn't slide out. Work your way to the front of the boat stuffing the hem under the cinch strap as you go. About three feet from the front of the boat, stop stuffing the skirt in. Instead, grab the very end of the skirt, stuff THAT in and then slide it towards the bow. This will leave you with just a couple of feet of hem that needs to be pushed up under the cinch strap.

If this doesn't make sense, I'll shoot a video for it.

-Charles

[Evening Shade]

OK, this isn't so bad once you get the trick of it. First thing you need to do is cut some of the pipe insulation. These fit much better if the pipe insulation inside the hem stops about six inches short of the skirt. In other words, there will be six inches of skirt fabric on EACH END with no pipe insulation in it.

Next it's all about getting the cinch strap tight enough, but not too tight. If it's "guitar string" tight, you simply cannot pull it out far enough to get the skirt started. If it's too loose, the skirt will fall out on its own. This is just a matter of practice. Lay the skirt out so it's mostly being supported by the lift beams. Start at the back of the boat. Slide the skirt in and scoot it as far back as you can get it. Now there are a few gyrations. You have to sorta hold the cover down while you wrap your arms around the lift post so it doesn't slide out. Work your way to the front of the boat stuffing the hem under the cinch strap as you go. About three feet from the front of the boat, stop stuffing the skirt in. Instead, grab the very end of the skirt, stuff THAT in and then slide it towards the bow. This will leave you with just a couple of feet of hem that needs to be pushed up under the cinch strap.

If this doesn't make sense, I'll shoot a video for it.

-Charles

Yep that's how I've done it for the past year.

On a GS the bow is sort of tri-hull shaped with a sharp angle unlike the traditional bow on your 230 which has a smooth curve all the way to the bow. If I tighten the cinch strap tight enough to hold the skirt, the cinch strap gets extremely tight where the bow angles in. So tight that I have to lean my head against the rub rail so I can put counter force on the boat while I use one hand to pull the cover out and the other hand to stuff the skirt up under the cinch strap. Oh and forget even trying to get the skirt above the rub rail forward of the bow angle, its impossible.

It just gets frustrating so I was hoping someone may have come up with an alternative solution.

[2019 G21]

I am going to get similar side skirts soon for my G21 that sits on a lift. My dock access does not allow me to get to most of the boat while on the lift. What I am thinking of doing is instead of using the foam pipe, I am going to run 1/4 inch bungee cord through the cover. Then I am going to tie the bungee to the bow hang eyelet then run along the side of the boat just above the rub rail, pull snug at back of boat and tie to stern eyelet. I figure I can then put the factory cover on. Have not tried it yet but that is my plan..

[GMLIII]

I am going to get similar side skirts soon for my G21 that sits on a lift. My dock access does not allow me to get to most of the boat while on the lift. What I am thinking of doing is instead of using the foam pipe, I am going to run 1/4 inch bungee cord through the cover. Then I am going to tie the bungee to the bow hang eyelet then run along the side of the boat just above the rub rail, pull snug at back of boat and tie to stern eyelet. I figure I can then put the factory cover on. Have not tried it yet but that is my plan..

Sounds like a great idea . Please report back with your success or failure.

[charlesml3]

Yep that's how I've done it for the past year.

On a GS the bow is sort of tri-hull shaped with a sharp angle unlike the traditional bow on your 230 which has a smooth curve all the way to the bow. If I tighten the cinch strap tight enough to hold the skirt, the cinch strap gets extremely tight where the bow angles in. So tight that I have to lean my head against the rub rail so I can put counter force on the boat while I use one hand to pull the cover out and the other hand to stuff the skirt up under the cinch strap. Oh and forget even trying to get the skirt above the rub rail forward of the bow angle, its impossible.

It just gets frustrating so I was hoping someone may have come up with an alternative solution.

OK. let's try something else. I've been thinking about this for a couple of days now.

- Start with the cinch strap a bit looser than before.

- Start at the FRONT of the boat with the skirts.

- Tuck the skirt in. If it wants to fall right back out, cinch the strap a click or two. If it's too hard to get it in, loosen it a bit. Find the balance.

- Once the front is tucked in and holding, tighten down the cinch strap some.

- Work you way from the front to the back. Again, if the skirts are slipping out click the strap down a bit.

- When you get to the back, again stop a couple of feet short and slide the skirt in. Tuck the rest under the strap.

- Tighten the cinch strap to its final position.

[trip33]

I had a canvas shop put heavy duty zippers around the bottom of the factory cover and then made 2 big U shaped skirts. One goes around the front, the other around the back. They mate up where the factory cover splits so I just unzip those 2 extra zippers in the middle and roll it up like I would the factory cover.

[Evening Shade]

OK. let's try something else. I've been thinking about this for a couple of days now.

- Start with the cinch strap a bit looser than before.

- Start at the FRONT of the boat with the skirts.

- Tuck the skirt in. If it wants to fall right back out, cinch the strap a click or two. If it's too hard to get it in, loosen it a bit. Find the balance.

- Once the front is tucked in and holding, tighten down the cinch strap some.

- Work you way from the front to the back. Again, if the skirts are slipping out click the strap down a bit.

- When you get to the back, again stop a couple of feet short and slide the skirt in. Tuck the rest under the strap.

- Tighten the cinch strap to its final position.

I thought about this as well and I'm going to give it a try next time I'm at the lake which will be in a few weeks. Getting ready to go boating for a week in the Abaco Islands!:D