G23 Trailering Cover

[jschultz]

First long trip trailering the boat coming up and I wanted some input on using the trailering cover. I have never used a cover on my previous boats because I was afraid chaffing the top rail with the cover. When we bought the boat last summer we had a 6 hour drive home and the previous owner said to use the cover. I was impressed by how tight the cover fit with ratchet straps, etc., so I left it on. When we got home and took off the cover, the top rail had chaffed all the way around.

Locally I have been trailering without the cover, tower up and bimini boot on. Looking for suggestions on the trailering cover and trailering in general:

Cover / No cover?
Tower up/down?
Bimini in boot fine on the freeway?

Thanks for your input!

[mulde35d]

I just did 13 hours trailering with the cover on (mostly highway). I normally would trailer with the cover off but it was raining most the trip and cleaning the black sticky gunk that comes of the highway from trucks out of the interior of the boat is not something I ever want to do. I have the cover over the power tower so I tow with the tower down. Had a very small amount of scuffing on the back right and left gelcoat just below the rub rail where the cover ratchet strap tightens down. Also had very small amounts of paint wear off the tower at the front of the rope holder on top of the tower. One thing I did notice though is that my diesel Ram 3500 gets about 13 MPG with the cover on the boat and about 11 MPG with the cover off while towing with the tower down at highway speeds. I was not expecting that, but I guess it makes sense.

I always try to tow with the cover off and power tower folded down unless I am going to be on the highway in the rain, in which case I put on the cover and accept small amounts of gelcoat scuffing.

[Dustin11]

Short distances i tow with the cover off. If im traveling longer distances with the boat Ill put the cover on but i run painters tape where the cover contacts the boat all the way around. The painters tape comes off easy, doesnt take any paint off and keeps the cover from rubbing against the boat

[jschultz]

I was thinking about making sure the boat was clean and waxed, then taking a couple wraps around the top rail with packing saran wrap (like what they would use to wrap a pallet of stuff) and then putting the cover on. Similar to the painters tape idea.

[SmokieRiver]

I’ve got a 5 hour tow coming up with a 2021 G23 and was thinking I’m going to use pallet wrap anywhere the cover comes into contact with the boat, including tower and windshield frame, to avoid scuffing.

The Owners Manual suggests to use the posts - has anyone used them when trailering?

[srock]

This post is just in time as I am about to haul a 9 hour trip which is very rare for me but I do have a highway cover sitting in the garage. Painters tape sounds like a smart idea.

[NautiqueJeff]

I’ve got a 5 hour tow coming up with a 2021 G23 and was thinking I’m going to use pallet wrap anywhere the cover comes into contact with the boat, including tower and windshield frame, to avoid scuffing.

The Owners Manual suggests to use the posts - has anyone used them when trailering?

I always tow with the cover on. Yes, you need to use the support poles. Otherwise, the cover isn't held tight enough to not flap about.

[Speedy]

I’ve got a 16 hour tow ahead of me and I’m doing it with the cover off. Last time I towed with the cover on it ripped in multiple places

[SmokieRiver]

Thank you Jeff.

[SmokieRiver]

Would you tow with the anti-pooling tower strap on?

[NautiqueJeff]

I would.

[Sammm724]

ive had two long rad trips (Minnesota to California) and then California to Nevada, then Arizona and back. More than 30 hours towing on each trip. I didnt use the support poles, but i did use the saran wrap (2 Pack Mini Stretch Wrap Film with Handle for Pallet Wrap, Moving Supplies Stretch Wrap & Shrink Wrap - 80 Gauge, 5” x 1000 ft by Crystal Lemon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HNYX5Y9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_AZ3AMKGZDNRX1J4V4EDW) which was easy and helped out with not scratching the paint. make sure the cover is super tight so it doesnt flap around.

[SmokieRiver]

I figured I’d follow-up on this. Over the last week I towed twice, 4.5 hours each with the cover on, using the 2 poles and anti-pool tower strap. Kept speed mostly between 60 - 70 mph and drove straight through. Both times I wrapped the boat in clear pallet wrap any where the cover touches gelcoat. I also used blue painter tape where at the end of the windscreen around the grey painted portion of the navigation lights. There were no scuff marks from the cover anywhere on the boat. However, I’m glad I used the pallet wrap because a little bit of the wrap was getting worn just above the rub rail in a few small spots from a some cover flap.

I would not hesitate to tow covered again, but will always use the pallet wrap to avoid any potential scuff marks and polishing later.