PDA

View Full Version : Boat Cover



tazz3069
02-27-2012, 08:06 AM
Well the time has come. We are moving to a new house and I will not have room to put the boat in the garage. It has always been in the garage since I brought it home in 07'. I now have to park it outside. Can anyone suggest a really good boat cover that can protect the boat that I have been babying since 07'. I also need to get two pairs of speakers socks for the tower speakers. I really need something that will protect the boat from the extreme heat in Vegas and of course the rains, when it rains. Thanx in advance.

pmoomba
02-27-2012, 08:32 AM
Evolution covers are great, but perhaps a little pricey depending on what you're looking to spend. They don't require extra poles to prevent water from pooling, are made from sunbrella, are easy to put on/take off, and can also be towed with. They come treated with a water repellent and bead the water really well, but you'll need to reapply from time to time. They only go to the rubrail though; I kept mine protected with wax or babe's boat bright and didn't seem to have any fading/oxidation issues. I did sometimes get water spots from rain,etc, but they clean up without any trouble. With my next boat though, I'm also going to get a detachable skirt for more protection from the sun/elements to cover more of the sides/transom/platform.

I also keep damp-rid under the cover. I didn't do that initially and never seemed to notice any moisture/mildew issues, but once I started doing it I found it catch enough moisture that I'll continue to do so just to keep things dry.

Sunbrella shouldn't really require additional vents in the cover, but if you go with something else as the fabric you might want to look into adding some vents. Whoever makes it might be able to put them in, or you can find them aftermarket too.

Another place people recommend is www.skiboatcovers.com. If you're just looking for something for 'mooring' in the driveway, you could probably get a nice waterline fit cover from there, or they have a full length sun cover too.

tazz3069
02-27-2012, 08:39 AM
Thanx. I will give them a call today. They want $800.00 for the sunbrella cover. I guess that's the price to keep te boat looking good. She still looks like i just bought it.

pmoomba
02-27-2012, 08:48 AM
Yeah a lot of the price of Evolution covers is just the fabric. There's a bit of a premium to them but it's really not all that much when you compare it to other Sunbrella covers. Personally I think it's worth it since I keep my boat outside too. If I could get it in the garage I'd get something a lot cheaper.

tazz3069
02-27-2012, 09:09 AM
I have the standard snap on cover, that came with the boat. I do not think that it will protect the boat. As much as I do not like the $800 price tag, I think it will be worth it in the long run.

mmandley
02-27-2012, 09:39 AM
Tazz id be carefull about using an Evolution cover as an outside storage cover,

Im getting a 1 off custom cover made by Evolution now, they are excellet at being used as a Towing cover.

Erick <Stretch> has an Evolution cover and he told me several time this year <2nd year> that the cover is not holding up so well being used as an outdoor storage cover, Hes getting mildew and the cover is leaking.

For an outside storage cover i would look into something even heavier, or plan on using a tarp over it. Just what i have herd so fare.

bbuhtz
02-27-2012, 10:40 AM
I just picked up my evolution cover, bimini and bimini boot from Cory this last weekend. Boats in the garage now so I won't be putting it on until may/june so no pictures but the cover looks to be of very high quality. Customer service is outstanding and definitely worth the extra money alone. Plus the warranty!

With you being located in Vegas I doubt you'd have a problem with mold and rain like us folks get up north, but then again never lived down there so I really don't know. But like mandley said, you could always tarp it.

newty
02-27-2012, 11:07 AM
I'd look at a transheild in addition to the evo cover. It is all white and will really reflect the heat. It is also an over the tower and swimstep cover so it will protect the whole boat. It has a zipper entry on the side so you can access the boat with out removing the cover. They are about $200 and will last 3-5 years. It will also extend teh life of your evo cover too. Pretty cheap insurance if you ask me. I can get a quote to have one shipped to you if your interested.

There is a thread on here some where with details about the cover. I'll try to find it.

Razzman
02-27-2012, 12:00 PM
Tazz, let me throw some tips in here for you. Mine has sat outside since March '08 and still looks like new as well. As you know the Cali Central Valley gets hot too, real hot. Winters are cold and wet generally so i've learned what works and what doesn't. Here's what I can think of off the top of my head, probably more. If you want pics of my setup let me know and i'll post them up.

Do you have side access? Room to setup a metal carport cover or one of those portable garages? If so that's the only way to go to really keep the sun (UV) and weather from killing it, the trailer and the tires.

Don't use a poly tarp over the boat unless you can insure a couple of things; airflow between the boat cover and the tarp and it has to be very taute or the thing will flap beat on the boat and trailer.

The sun (UV) will eat a poly tarp / portable garage cover in as little as two years! I have a 10x20' portable garage from Costco with full sides and doors that I added 5' to and covered the whole top with a heavy duty 12x27' canvas tarp. Yes it gets hot under there but no sun gets to the boat or trailer at all. In the summer I remove the no-sun side curtain for ventilation.

Cats and small wildlife love to hide under tarps overnight, they will find the smallest gap in the tarp. Nuff said on that.

DampRid is great for sucking up moisture but it DOES NOT prevent moisture from building up on surfaces, especially metal surfaces like amps! Also kills head units! I had enough in the boat to suck up the local lake and it still happened a few years ago ;/

Dirt, dust and sand will get into the boat through any space in your cover so plan accordingly. I know Vegas has wind and sand storms, not good.

When winter stored outside you HAVE to coat every single surface with a very heavy coat of wax! Especially ANY metal surface and leave the wax on, don't wipe it off! This keeps the metal, mostly the aluminum tower from oxidizing.

Remove everything from and on the boat; bimini, tower mirror, gear, etc.

Use a mildew preventative spray on the vinyl before storing for winter, got mine at Home Depot.

Install dehumidifier devices inside for storage, I use GoldenRods.

It will get FILTHY sitting outside! Can't do a thing about so don't freak out lol! I've learned to not worry about it as; 1) it'll just be dirty again in a fews days if you wash it, 2) you won't be able to keep up and 3) it doesn't hurt it and when you do wash it'll look this new again!

Make sure to cover your platform with something heavy. I use an old vinyl BBQ cover that just happens to snugly cover the entire platform. Cats love to get up on Seadek and test out their claws!

sandm
02-27-2012, 02:01 PM
I'd look at a storage unit if it was me. the $100/month might be money well spent... or find a friend that doesn't mind renting out the 3rd stall(although I know they are hard to find with any depth in vegas)..

where ya moving to? anywhere near macdonald ranch?

bzubke1
02-27-2012, 02:27 PM
We kept our mobius outside it's entire life under the cover that came with it stock. I think its called the mooring cover as opposed to the snap on cover. We always pulled out the seats and wiped off any moisture before we left the ramp and never had any issues with mildew or mold. It would let some water in through the holes for the tower during a heavy rain but it wasn't a huge issue. We just opened it up and let it air out once it was done raining.

Razzman
02-27-2012, 05:36 PM
I'd look at a storage unit if it was me. the $100/month might be money well spent... or find a friend that doesn't mind renting out the 3rd stall(although I know they are hard to find with any depth in vegas)..

where ya moving to? anywhere near macdonald ranch?

Now I know you're kidding right? There's no such thing as $100 month boat storage out here on the west coast. $300 a month is the average last time i checked and that's why mine sits where it does, besides the fact there's storage facility thefts all the time.

bergermaister
02-27-2012, 06:07 PM
That's about the going rate for a storage unit big enough around here too. Even a little 10x10 will run close to $100 a mo.

wolfeman131
02-27-2012, 06:12 PM
Now I know you're kidding right? .

Maybe not. I've posted pics where we store the boats and sea doos over the winter. It's a 20x40 unit that we squeeze my OBV, neighbors 'bu 247 & 3 sea doos in and we pay $200 per month. For a transient city like Vegas, there may be a surplus of units and if you sign a 1 yr lease and/or prepay, you should be able to get them to knock some $$ off.

sandm
02-27-2012, 06:21 PM
so we must be overrun with them..
10x24 is $82/mo
12x30 is $116/mo
20x50 is $250/mo

covered outside storage runs $44/mo for a 28ft long spot that's covered by a metal canopy..

this is at the newest unit only 2miles from interstate-direct shot

heck, they have some "storage condo's" that failed as a concept that are now rental storage units. 19x28 climate controlled, outlets, lighting, garage door openers, 12ft doors for $230/mo :)

bergermaister
02-27-2012, 07:08 PM
Dang. I called several places and they were all within a few bucks of each other. Where I used to store my travel trailer in a covered 30ft spot I got one of the last ones available ($135 a mo) and they had a waiting list for most of their 25ft spots...

Supply & Demand - I think I need to buy some land, build and open a storage facility!

KG's Supra24
02-27-2012, 07:18 PM
I pay $42.60 a month ... Pay for 11 months, get the last free.

It's a 12 x 30 with doors that open out, not up, so I don't have to fold tower down. Has locked entrance and locked individual doors. It does have gravel floor and no electric but no biggie especially after seeing the prices others are paying!! It isn't the nicest but gets the job done.

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/kwgarner24/2010-10-22_08-46-03_405.jpg

mmandley
02-27-2012, 09:54 PM
Pretty nice set up guys, i know Eric said it costs 100 a month out here for a spot outside, so he leaves it at home. I dont recall the price to get the boat inside but even a buddy of mine who has a large lot with gates charges 75 to park outside. I wouldnt park outside though because the lot is also shared by a landscaping company lol.

Indoors storage in the Portland area is expensive.

Razzman
02-27-2012, 09:54 PM
Maybe not. I've posted pics where we store the boats and sea doos over the winter. It's a 20x40 unit that we squeeze my OBV, neighbors 'bu 247 & 3 sea doos in and we pay $200 per month. For a transient city like Vegas, there may be a surplus of units and if you sign a 1 yr lease and/or prepay, you should be able to get them to knock some $$ off.

I don't know that i'd consider Las Vegas a transient city with a current population of over 2 million lol! My dad lived in Henderson on the outskirts of Vegas for years 'till '09 and NOTHING is cheap there. Hell his senior citizen 2br single story unit cost him almost $2K a month!

EDIT: My bad, the buffets in the casinos are cheap lol!

Razzman
02-27-2012, 10:06 PM
Out here in suburbia you take your chances with storage. Almost every local outdoor storage facility I know of has been hit and boats vandalized and even they want a minimum of $100. Your average Indoor lots (unless they have security) aren't much better not to mention your on your own for insurances and there's no gaurantee.

We had a big local unit hit only to find out that their cameras wern't connected, all for show. Guess what, some insurances refused to pay full up due to that. It was a unit similar to what KG shows, walls didn't go up all the way, they busted into one and went over to all the others and hit like eight boats and stripped goods out of them. Then there's the rodent issues to deal with, the cheap places don't deal with it.

My boat is much better off at home for me! My cat covers the rodent issues, keeps other cats away and doesn't hurt the boat. My dogs bark at any sound near the house and my glock is an arms reach away! :)

zabooda
02-28-2012, 02:57 AM
I like my cover I had made in 2005 using Topgun material. It has a 5 year warranty but the cover maker says it sould last at 15 years. I haven't found any deterioration after six winters. It is heavy fabric though but with warm temperatures it is more manageable.



http://www.yourautotrim.com/topgun.html

tazz3069
02-28-2012, 08:29 AM
I'd look at a storage unit if it was me. the $100/month might be money well spent... or find a friend that doesn't mind renting out the 3rd stall(although I know they are hard to find with any depth in vegas)..

where ya moving to? anywhere near macdonald ranch?

We are moving to the way North Side of Town. Indoor storage here average $225.00 a month Well at least on my side of town. Have not looked at indoor storage in my new area.

tazz3069
02-28-2012, 08:32 AM
I pay $42.60 a month ... Pay for 11 months, get the last free.

It's a 12 x 30 with doors that open out, not up, so I don't have to fold tower down. Has locked entrance and locked individual doors. It does have gravel floor and no electric but no biggie especially after seeing the prices others are paying!! It isn't the nicest but gets the job done.

http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/kwgarner24/2010-10-22_08-46-03_405.jpg

Now that what I am talking about. We need places and prices like that on the west coast.

sandm
02-28-2012, 09:36 AM
isn't the north side far away from mead? out by the speedway and summerlin?


sure wish there was a better way to get to henderson coming from the north/east. that freeway system sucks there, especially once you start to approach the city center and that big convention center..

tazz3069
02-28-2012, 09:40 PM
I try and stay away from there. i hate the strip. Were the new house is located actually is closer to Mead than the old way.