Traveling with Cover on or Cover off

[Central Bassman]

What do you guys think, travel with the cover on or off... Some people really belive it doesnt matter but i have talk to a few guys that say to never travel with it on, Unless you have to!!!! What do you guys think of this?

[PerchJerker]

Occasionally I travel with it on but usually I travel with it off. Mine is a top of the line travel cover.

[iffwalleyes]

On for me. Keeps the boat dry in rain I don't have to worry about anything blowing out. I have a nice snap on cover though. Some of the cheap covers I wouldn't run down the road though.

[Down Deep]

If I'm heading to a local lake I travel with the cover off. Any trip of 100 miles or more I have the cover on. There is no way of knowing if you are going to run into road construction and dust, bad weather, etc. I've traveled thousands of miles and I have never had anything happen that would cause me not to travel with the cover on.

I think that maybe the negative things you have heard might have to do with people who have had a mooring or cheap covers that tore apart in the wind. I've always had either a custom made or factory travel cover.

[fishonnopeoff]

What Down Deep said. And mine seems to pull a bit better with the cover on.(less shifting)

[Pherris]

90% of the time cover off. When on the road for tourneys and such I always have the cover with me and do cover it in hotel parking lots and long road trips. Covering the boat overnight I feel is a small deterrent to the scum thieves that troll parking lost looting boats at tourneys!!

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

Important! If the cover drapes onto the sides, it will rub & scuff the sides big time!!

I now use mine just for rain cover if it's outside......

[Deitz Dittrich]

As stated above, if you like the paintjob on your boat and the cover hangs down/which most do. IT will wear and rub your finish!

I only put the cover on it when I am going to be away from home during the night...

[eyepatrol]

Fishing local lakes, it stays off. LOTW or other long trips to Canada, it goes on.

[MuskieJunkie]

You will get better gas mileage with it off. I have the factory cover and I usually tow with it off.

[Bassboy1645]

Theres a trend here.....im with it off for local lakes and on for longer drives....I suppose If you travel with it off just make sure your stuff is secure and also put your rods with the reels in the front. It will prevent a rod from blowing out ive seen this happen. Other than That If you do go with the cover on please dont go to a crowded launch and back your boat to the waters edge and then proceede to take a half an hr preparing the boat, removing cover, ect while ppl get [PoorWordUsage]ed at ya waiting in line!!!! One of my biggest pet peeves!!!!

[Big-Al]

I almost always travel with the cover on, even for short distances. But then again, I have a custom made cover the unsnaps in about a minute and can be put back on in about 4 minutes. It snaps to a rail on the inside of the gunnel, so no problems with the paint.

[Superduty]

Nothing will ruin the gel coat on a fiberglass boat faster than a cover. Even the best quality factory felt lined $600 covers will add rub marks to a glass boats finish at hwy speeds. I only cover mine on gravel/dusty roads. Will also put it on if the boat has to sit overnight at a motel parking lot.