Boat Covers

[Craigums]

Have any of you guys tried those "cheaper" covers that are around $250-$350 on your bass boats (FleetFarm, BPS, and Empire Covers come to mind)? I've got a 18.5' Ranger Comanche thats in dyer need of a new cover. Ranger wants $1200 and Custom Canvas places are asking $750-$900 which simply isn't in the cards for me right now.

[TR21HP]

Craigums, do you use the cover while trailering? If not just about anything would do for a dust cover.

[Craigums]

No, I don't trailer with the cover. Mainly just trying to keep the rain/dirt out.

[TR21HP]

If it's not moving I think the covers you suggested would do the job easily and like you said, for half the price.

[RK]

Craigums -

I bought a Cabelas cover for something like $225 on sale. I don't trailer with it on, and it's more than adequate.

RK

[EBass]

A tarp and bungee cords would be really cheap, but looks cheap too.

[Superduty]

I've had custom covers for my bass boats over the years and cheap covers for anything that floats. The best one was for a Triton and it was made by Aurora but cost big bucks. The closest you will find at a good price is the Cabela's ratchet lock covers. My new Stratos has a "cheap" Cabela's ratchet lock. It goes on quick with only the two ratchet straps. I basically use it while at motels or as a dust cover in the winter in the garage. Check the bargain cave for returned covers. A lot of people buy covers that don't fit and return them. You can pick a cover up for less than half price if you time it right. I liked this cover so much I bought another one for my duckboat. I didn't pay $100 for either one of them.

[Craigums]

Good avice, I store the boat outside in the summer...Would the Cabela's cover be sufficient being exposed to the elements for months on end?

EDIT: Just noticed that they are on sale right now, I think I might pick one up. Wonder if it will fit over the bow mound trolling motor without any issues.

They have a 18'6'' ($180) and 19' ($380) Length ones, BIG price differance. Anybody know what I would need? My boat title says 19' but I think its shorter....Its a 1998 Ranger Comanche 518 DVS Special

[RK]

Craigums - Get the longer one. Will fit better over the TM. I do have that issue with mine - it's a tight squeeze with the trolling motor on, but I bought the 18' cover for an 18' boat. I have a MotorGuide Tour Ed so I can just take it out of the gator mount and set it on the front deck by turning one knob, so it's no big deal in my case, but...get the longer one.

[HellaBass]

I won a cover from Empire, pretty nice

[Leaky]

Is your existing cover repairable? The custom cover for my 22 ft Crestliner pontoon ripped in half and had a number of other tears. Over half the snaps were bad. Brought it to DNP Canvas in Cambridge and they fixed everything up in a couple of days, including all new snaps for $230.00. A fraction of the price of a new one.

[mww24]

I have a cabelas I bought last fall at a very deep discount. I would wait till then and you will save probably 30%. It sat outside all winter with a cheaper cover over it and now sits outside all the time when i'm not fishing. It has faded a bit but it keeps the elements out and hopefully the uv rays are cut down. If your not trailering I find it plenty good. After about a year of ownership It has no signs of falling apart. just the sun fade. if you wait they will go on sale. And if the store doesn't have your size order online and ship to store and its free shipping then. I did have to buy the next bigger size to fit. I have a 17.5 and bought a 18.5 foot cover. It fits like dump around the built in setback my ranger has but its good enough for me.

[BassKnuckles]

Yeah I would like to buy something cheaper for the winter time so I can park my truck back in the garage but I've always wondered how they would hold up over the winter. Do I need to purchase those poles also to keep the center higher?

[Tator2k]

I've tried most of the cheaper ones for my boat. I just tried trailering up north with a FF 'best' cover and ended turning the back 1/2 into a ball of yarn. I think I'll stop by the bargain cave and take a look. Canvas Craft quoted 750-800 for my 17.5 aluminum boat.

[mww24]

I wouldn't know about needing poles. This was the first winter my boat sat outside and we got barely any snow. I did have one on my back deck and one in the middle and then my butt seat acted as one on the front deck. It made it pretty steep on the sides. I covered my good cover with the cheapest cabelas cover i could find just to act as a snow and water buffer. I honestly don't think I'll store my boat outdoors over the winter again. The way my cover sits now with just the back seat and butt seat on front and rear decks along with dual console allows even the heaviest rains to fall off without pooling. if anyone wants i can snap some pics as it sits now. Just let me know.

[mww24]

craigums. I have the cabelas ratchet tite cover. I think I have the 18'6" model and my boat is only 17'5". the 17'6" one i bought didn't fit. so i went a foot bigger. The one i bought isn't on sale yet but is around 270.00 for a 19 foot one. I know i saved 25-30% in the fall. I live in the north metro. If your close and want to drag your boat up and try my cover on it your more than welcome to. That will give you an idea. I think if the ones you looked at are so far different in price they are different model covers.

[Craigums]

Well I tried measuring my boat and as far as I can tell its 18' will 92'' beam. So i ordered the cabelas rachet cover 18' x 92''. The reviews said to order a foot smaller and you guys say to order a foot bigger so I split the differance and just ordered my size. Hope it fits!

[Raider4ever]

Yeah I would like to buy something cheaper for the winter time so I can park my truck back in the garage but I've always wondered how they would hold up over the winter. Do I need to purchase those poles also to keep the center higher?

Silly Rabbit, garages are for boats.

[Craigums]

The cabelas cover arrived today. It fits "OK"... But does anybody know were your supposed to latch those ratchet straps in the back? I criss crossed the ratchet straps and hook them to the opposite side of the trailer because there was so much extra strap. Seem really rinky-dink, I must be doing it wrong Here is how it looks

It covers the boat but I feel like it might pool in places (Especially in the back). If I put the seats in to create a high point it wont fit.. How do your guys' look?