Need Recommendation for Boat Cover Manu

[HavnFun]

I need someone to fab a cover for my boat. No one local seems to understand my needs and able to fab the type cover I want. They are baffled by the upright windshield, etc.

Looking for a Sunbrella type cover that hugs the hull and windshield and securely fastens to the trailer so I can tow with it. I tow to San Diego, Mexico, and the NW and would like my boat to arrive clean rather than filled with an 1/8th inch of dust and grime. Any recommendations?

Tom

[gandrfab]

I don't make them, but I do know a few that do in Fl.
I have heard them say it is very difficult to make a 60 to 80 mph cover.

I have not heard anyone say they could do it in one shot, it seems to take some trial and error for each different boat.

I'm sure some can do it, good luck.

[pjay9]

Tom, I have the info for the fellow in Lacey WA that did mine. I am posting here as others may be interested in my comments as well. Randi @ 360 280 3923.

After we talked and with my previous expereince with other covers...it was decided to do a mooring type cover...rather than the one that attaches to the trailer as that gives additional wind catching issues at speed plus it allows the boat to move under it which will add chafe issues as opposed to one that moves with the boat.

My mooring cover crossed the USA, Tacoma to Everglades City with stops in TX to visit Les and back over 7000 miles. Much done at 60 to 75 MPH behind my Dodge and Lance.

Here's how it faired and what needed to be reinforced...anyplace that it went over rails, even so they were tubes and had easy bends...over the edges were all backed with doubled coated fabric were hold downs go thru...corners and over wipers...had a adjustable alum post to hold it up in middle with a thru vent donut (West Marine)..sheds rain and helps keep shape across the cockpit...all my tiedowns are to the boat except two which go to the trailer as I did want to fittings on the side of the boat...may rethink that as they may not be an issue with the bunggee type holddown...I didn't cover the forward cockpit as the angle of the canvas would never drain when parked with my style that uses the windshield as the attachment point...but one that goes from the bow to the stern may do better...I did do that as I do not have my windlass installed and there are so many chaffing points up forward...and hosing it out after a trip is easy.

I'll try to do some detail pics later on today. It is Sunbrella and cost me around $350. Hope thios helps. PJ

[pjay9]

Here's a link to my original post:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3220

[pjay9]

Across transom bungee holddowns...easy to use and hold tight

Transom holddowns.JPG (115.81 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

Corner hold down

corner.JPG (113.6 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

Double material to back hold down...they move in transit and need extra suppoert

double reinforced.JPG (91.21 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

inside corner.JPG (116.69 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

Side snaps and post vent

side snaps.JPG (40.54 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

vent support.JPG (190.66 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

Wiper double up and across front

wiper.JPG (131.46 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

under windshield.JPG (117.89 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

Straps down to trailer and the transition over the side...this isn't the greatest situation but as you can see it has survived 8000 miles now so why change it...this is original install, nothing done after came back

straps.JPG (48.06 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

transition!.JPG (86.94 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

This material is filter fabric used in commercial landfills and settling ponds for capture of contaminated water. I got it as It was discard material from a project I managed for the City 20 years ago...it is very duable and I use it for many little project that need sort of soft reinforcement.

filter fabric.JPG (127.92 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

This fab goes over the rail and when the donwrigger plates are in place...which by the way makes the 'transition' above look and act to so much better.

over rail.JPG (100.9 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

Patch over rail downrigger.JPG (160.9 KiB) Viewed 3924 times

Hope I have given you enuf info to go with and my ideas that work and need attention. PJ

[HavnFun]

Wow! Great info especially how well it held up over the 8000 mile trip. Please email me the contact info for your shop. I just winterized my boat but can tow it to Lacey in the spring/summer. I plan to drop by Raider and have Mike install a larger fuel tank and fab a swim step ladder.

Thanks again for the great reply.

[pjay9]

will be interested in seeing the step...as I have been thinking of that for mine...there are interesting concepts out there. Will it be a single center post or runged side support style?
Maybe that should be a topic of what others have got and like dislike.