CoverSource - Brent Fleming

[bturner]

I've heard the same about him on the MC site. You either get a great cover with a reasonable turn around or garbage after waiting months. If you don't have to have that design skiboatcovers.com makes a great cover. If you're storing on a trailer or lift I highly recommend going with their waterline cover.

[northernoak]

Well that doesn't give me the warm and fuzzies. I'm currently in the process of ordering a cover from him. Talked with Evolution but they didn't have the template and recommended Brent.

[northernoak]

There is one thing that’s a must get the cutouts for the pop up cleats added. If you don’t using the cover while moored in the water is pretty difficult .

Do you have a photo of what your cover looks like with those pop up cleat cutouts?

[MN Ryan]

northernoak I think you'll be fine. Just don't expect it quickly.

[northernoak]

Quote removed by Admin for not following the Guidelines for Quoting Previous Posts in a Thread.

Yeah, in all the postings I've read about him I've come to understand that it will take time. Which is why I wanted to order now since I wouldn't need it until summer.

[wkeith]

My experience very similar to Alpha Don. Took 5 months to get my cover and upon arrival realized it did not cover the swim platform, after stating in several conversations it was to be used on a lift. Called Brent and he said that was $400 more. Having already spent almost $900 I just gave up. I have a charcoal gray cover to fit 1990 to 1993 Ski Nautique still new in the box. Will accept offers.

[SilentSeven]

Here's my tip - he's working from his existing templates. Make sure you ask if he has an existing template for your boat. If he doesn't have a template for your boat, I wouldn't order from him.

His business was booming in the 90's to mid 2000s when he had a relationship to provide new boat covers for the local nautique dealer. IMO, those years are his sweet spot.

I would also not order from him if you need the cover in a hurry. Finally, make sure you order via his web form and include all your job specifics even if you have had an email conversation on the details. He's not too tech savy and mixes up emails.

I put up with some hassle and waited a while but my cover is awesome.

[SilentSeven]

.....Talked with Evolution but they didn't have the template and recommended Brent.

You spoke to Cory, right? Cory sort of helps Brent out from time to time...a little bit like a guardian angle. I think they used to be in business together at some point (not 100% sure on this). Cory also didn't have a template for my boat.

[northernoak]

Yes, I spoke to Cory about it. Currently doing some back and forth with Brent via email to make sure I get what I need in a cover. As you said, patience.

[MN Ryan]

LOL, just looked back through my "Boat" email folder and have 44 back-and-forth emails with Brent.;)

[northernoak]

Well I can finally provide an update to my cover saga. After waiting 7 1/2 months from initial contact, I finally have my cover from Brent.
If I had to do this process all over again with him, I don't know that I would. When I placed my order I was initially scheduled to have my cover done in early May with only 2 covered ahead of mine. When I checked back up with him in May I was told there were now 5 covers ahead of mine. Then in June I began following up every 2 weeks for updates. 4 covers ahead, then 2 ahead, then 2 still ahead. In July he told me he had all these covers done, never said whether or not mine was, but was waiting on some backordered wire. After a few weeks of him claiming he didn't have this wire and couldn't find it anywhere I thought I could help to move things along and got him to send me the wire specs and I found another distributor for him to try. He said thanks and ordered the wire, but then he went mostly silent on me other than 1 word replies to emails weeks later.

In mid August I reached out for an update and he tells me he accidentally sent my cover to the wrong person/address but provided no further info. Nothing stating he knew where it went, was working on getting it back, or would make a new one. Then for the next month he didn't reply to my emails other than to say "trying" with zero other context/info. Two weeks ago he finally said he was shipping my cover, no idea if he remade it or he got the original back. He ended up shipping to the wrong address again but this time he sent me the tracking number and I was able to re-route the package.

It is a good cover from what I can tell, but I'll need to pull the boat back out of my winter storage to do a true fit test this next week. He was also supposed to include some cleat cutout patches for me but those were not in the box so I've sent another email asking for those but have little hope in actually seeing them. All my contact with Brent was through email. He never give me his phone number, and the one I did find for him online didn't work. He often blamed technology and having no help when it came to his lack of progress. I feel I was reasonable with him throughout this process having gone into this knowing he could be difficult. Usually only asking for an update once every 2 weeks after he passed his original timeline. If he didn't respond I would give him a week before I reached out again. When he "lost" my cover I kept the same 2 week cadence and tried to be patient. Others have had good experiences going through him and I'm glad they did. It was the positive word from most people on the quality of the cover that drove me to place my order. For others that are thinking about placing an order with him do it knowing it will probably take months longer, you'll get radio silence most of the time, when you do get responses they won't be informative, and you'll need to continuously follow up.

[MN Ryan]

That's a bummer, but I'm glad you at least got the cover. My experience was much better, but yours sounds pretty awful. I hope the cover turned out well--I love mine.

[MN Ryan]

northernoak Already in winter storage? It's supposed to be in the 80s this weekend! I've got another trip or two before I tackle trailer bearings and get it ready for winter. ;)

[northernoak]

MN Ryan Yeah I winterized last weekend. Once September hits life get too busy for us to make it back out to the lake.

[MN Ryan]

Oh, I understand completely but still cling to the hopes of squeezing a few more hours!