Boat Cover Materials

Carl

Carl

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Is there really a boat cover that can hold up under the Florida sun and heat? And the endless cycle of getting roasted, then soaked every other afternoon by a torrential thunderstorm, only to be roasted again.
My wife had a large piece of clothe she bought for a project, it was supposed to be outdoor material, UV resistent. Didnt last 6 months.
Cheap tarps last about the same.
Expensive tarps, maybe 9 months.
Last boat cover I bought lasted just over a year.
Heck, even the ropes I used to ties the covers degrade quickly.
I hate to spend a fortune on a boat cover but I need something.
Any thoughts from the brain trust?
Other than buy a house with a garage?
 
I'm in Louisiana, so our weather and temps are about the same, here is my thoughts.

Best boat covers I have used have been made of condura, I forget the thickness that was used but it was much thicker then what's used on hunting clothing or rain gear. Probably twice as thick l, if not a bit thicker.

I ordered it on a roll and had a local custom shop fan it up to fit.

Lasted about 3 years in total before it just rotted away to much.

Everything else I have tried didn't last a full year.

I haven't had another one made because of the cost.
 
Seal Skin covers is what I used for my CC boat down there. Ive never found anything that hold up well. Especially anything Max? Within a few months they turn red and faded. Even here in Illinois you're lucky to get 6 mos. Down there. I got a light weight green canvas tarp and painted foliage patterns in it. And called it good hunting in the Mangroves. I added this because I tried one of these thinking I could kill two birds with one stone.

Carver Styled-to-Fit® Boat Covers for the TRACKER / BASS TRACKER / SUN TRACKER GRIZZLY 1648 MVX SC O/B W/ TM (19-25)

Carver Boat Covers for TRACKER / BASS TRACKER / SUN TRACKER GRIZZLY 1648 MVX SC O/B W/ TM
www.boatcoversdirect.com www.boatcoversdirect.com
 
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Carl said:
I'm leaning towards getting a heavy painters canvas drop clothe and painting it, tie it down with with my tarp clips. See how long it lasts.
www.homedepot.com

Everbilt 9 ft. x 12 ft. Heavy Duty Canvas Drop Cloth BARI-DP10-9.12 - The Home Depot

Everbilt Canvas Drop Cloth will protect your paint area from costly splatters and drips.
www.homedepot.com
Click to expand...
That's worth a try.

This thread reminds me of the covers my grandfather made for his open boats. I wish I had a photo, but unfortunately don't. They consisted of three or four 3/4" pine cross members notched at the gunnel, the top of the members being cut on a roughly 4' radius. Think of a partial barnegat skeleton, upside down atop your boat, held together by a single longitudinal strongback. Several lengths of what I recall being roughly 1/4" x 1 1/2" strips (lath maybe) running lengthwise just like barnegat planks, either side of centerline were attached to the frame. The entire thing was then covered with a double layer of heavy visqueen, then a second set of strips on top to hold it, fastened to the underlying strips with screws so the plastic could be replaced. A foot or more of plastic was left all around for good overhang. One man could easily lift it off to use the boat. Maybe I should build one.
 
Carl said:
Is there really a boat cover that can hold up under the Florida sun and heat? And the endless cycle of getting roasted, then soaked every other afternoon by a torrential thunderstorm, only to be roasted again.
My wife had a large piece of clothe she bought for a project, it was supposed to be outdoor material, UV resistent. Didnt last 6 months.
Cheap tarps last about the same.
Expensive tarps, maybe 9 months.
Last boat cover I bought lasted just over a year.
Heck, even the ropes I used to ties the covers degrade quickly.
I hate to spend a fortune on a boat cover but I need something.
Any thoughts from the brain trust?
Other than buy a house with a garage?
Click to expand...
I live in MN which is nothing like your environment. I've tried a variety of covers. For my Jetski I finally bit the bullet and ordered an OEM cover. It was more expensive but it is holding up well. I also have a Yamaha Boat. When it was delivered it came with the shipping cover. This thing is indestructible. Wonder if you could find something similar for your boat.
 
16 mil silver tarp laid over a conduit v frame built in sections easy enough to handle. The thinner ones go quick but I seem to get a fairly long life from the 16 mil. Just watch areas of contact that have sharper edges as it quickens holes forming.
 
I believe the material my wife bought was Sunbrella.
Roy, silver being more reflective, may be a good option.
Thanks for the input everyone!
 
Carl said:
I believe the material my wife bought was Sunbrella.
Roy, silver being more reflective, may be a good option.
Thanks for the input everyone!
Click to expand...
Carl~

Like Roy, I have had good luck with the heavier silver-sided poly tarps - 3 to 5 years up here in the Northeast.

I pad the wooden frame with split "pool noodles". Tarp is held taut with shock cord and rope.

sm Tent 07.JPG

All the best,

SJS
 
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