Boat Covers

[lawman]

I bought a new 18 1/2 foo t boat and am shopping for a mooring cover. This boat will be kept in a harbor a lot and I need a tight cover that I can take on and off while in the water. The canvas guy I am dealing with suggests a ratchet cover rather than a snap on cover. Any suggestions or recommendations?

[Northlander]

If your looking for a cover to keep on the boat when its still in the water the snap covers are the only way to go IMO. I have never seen or heard of a ratchet strap cover that works when not on the trailer.

[Gissert]

Shoremaster Fabric in Fergus Falls makes nice covers, and can custom make just about anything.

[pureinsanity]

I bought a new 18 1/2 foo t boat and am shopping for a mooring cover. This boat will be kept in a harbor a lot and I need a tight cover that I can take on and off while in the water. The canvas guy I am dealing with suggests a ratchet cover rather than a snap on cover. Any suggestions or recommendations?

Snap covers are the way to go. My old mans boat has had a cover for 2 years now and not one snap has busted! He had one custom made at Top Gun Boat Covers in Shakopee Works great and kept all the elements out when it sat on the lift!

[solbes]

I've used my Lund snap cover when in the water when it's not under the lift canopy. Pretty easy to use. Not sure the Lund one is built to weather the elements 100% of the time though.

I would look for one to have some top vents if possible. Mine has some poles and covered air vents to allow the boat, carpet, and floor to breathe. You don't want your flooring to go bad on you.

[Carpenter]

I have a ratchet cover for my boat and I can't think there'd be any easy way to get it off the boat while on the water. The ratchets connect to the rear of the boat. Typically one doesn't back into a slip, so I'd say snap.

It's easy to use on a trailer though.

[Ufatz]

Before you jump, take a look at the Cabela's covers. Put one on my 18 FishHawk and am VERY happy with it and it was about half the price of one of the others. I had one of those $350+ covers that came with the boat and it was a piece of junkola as far as I'm concerned. The Cabela cover cost half as much and I have yet to see a drop of water go through it!

[Northlander]

Is it a snap cover? How would it work with the boat in the water? The only covers I have seen that work on water are snap ones or the wedge trim ones like the Chrestliners. I would think anything with a strap wouldnt work.