Boat cover

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pgh_flytier
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2012/10/22 08:18:21 (permalink)

Boat cover

Purchased my first boat, a little 14' Bass Tracker,  about 5 years ago. It came with a custom cover which I tried to preserve as long as possible, but it is looking pretty thin right now. There is mold growing underneath the cover and some of the seams are coming apart on canvas support tied at rub points, like over the trolling motor.
      Not sure what to do now. Is five years about the max for a cover. Is there something you can treat the cover with to get another year or two out of it. I've looked at some of covers you can buy in stores, but none seem to be made for my boat.
       any advise or input would be appreciated.  
#1

23 Replies Related Threads

    rippinlip
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    Re:Boat cover 2012/10/22 12:51:22 (permalink)
    We used Crosswell in Mercer to repair ours. They make new ones too. Sorry I don't have the number handy.

    You should have been here yesterday.............. Streams are made for the wise man to contemplate and fools to pass by [Sir Izaak Walton]
    #2
    H20Wolf
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    Re:Boat cover 2012/10/25 11:17:23 (permalink)
    It's been a few years but I had a cover made at a place on 51 south just south of 48 (Molnar's bar and seven springs golf course which is now closed)  I don't remember the name or if they're still open but I was happy with the service and quality.
    #3
    freshwaterdrumR
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    Re:Boat cover 2012/10/25 11:55:42 (permalink)
    Had a cover done, as well as some changes and custom work on a bimini top at Conneautville canvas.  Top quality work at a very reasonable cost!
    #4
    Trout About
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    Re:Boat cover 2012/10/25 13:41:39 (permalink)
    Conneautville Canvas gets my vote too.
    #5
    muskefisher
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    Re:Boat cover 2012/10/29 16:48:57 (permalink)
    definitely conneautville
    #6
    Erie Mako
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    Re:Boat cover 2012/10/30 09:44:55 (permalink)
    Agreed on Conneautville.
    We just had them make a full winter cover with attached motor cover for our 22' center console...
    They had it done if 4 days and was only around $550. Took lots of material to cover that hulk of a boat!
     
    Also had them make winter panels for the porch at camp, great workmanship.

    On the internet, EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion!
    #7
    Porktown
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    Re:Boat cover 2012/10/30 11:38:32 (permalink)
    I think that Thompson's Water Seal will work.  Check their website, but had this suggested to me a few years ago when asking a similar question.  Also, Scotchguard will work on fabric, but might need a good bit.  Neither will do too much on the thin areas, you likely need to patch those.
     
    Not going to argue against a custom cover, but $500 vs. $100 is a bit of a difference.  I have heard of people having their $100 store bought tarps last 10+ years.  Make sure if you go that route to research a bit and get one with as high denier count as possible and check customer reviews.  There are a ton of options on Amazon or other web sites.  You will likely have to spend another $20 to make some pvc frame work too, so it drains properly.  Also a good idea to cover with another $20 heavy duty tarp if storing outside in the winter.  Let that tarp take the brunt of the nasty weather, with your cover under for added protection.
     
    When I shopped around for custom in the Pgh area, that $500 was more like $800 (17' side console).  So, if you have the time to trailer a boat up to Conneuteville and go and pick up in a week or two, it is probably the best deal around.  If you don't, but you have some basic building skills, you can make something that will protect your boat for at least half of the life of a nice custom cover, for a fraction of the cost.  If you can find one with the same fabric, it might run you $200-$300, but should last as long.  Note, if you plan on storing on the water, then you pretty much need custom.  It is also going to not look nearly as nice as a custom.
     
    Added suggestions.  Never trailer with a cover on.  Pad the areas that have the most stress.  Buy a cover with vent holes.
    #8
    pgh_flytier
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    Re:Boat cover 2012/10/30 12:56:27 (permalink)
    Thanks for all the suggestions. I will probably get an estimate from Coneautville Canvas. If its too hgih I'll give the Thompson's Water Seal a try.
    #9
    pgh_flytier
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    Re:Boat cover 2012/11/21 08:18:34 (permalink)
    After checking prices and options I'm looking at buying a ready made boat cover. I have a 14 footer with no console. I saw one comment that said you should get a bigger cover if you have a trolling motor; to make up for the extra height. Has anybody had any luck buying the ready made covers? Would you buy a 14 foot cover or 16 if you have a trolling motor in front. Would hate to spend more tha a hundred dollars and not have it fit. Sort of like buying waders online, hard to fit without trying on.
    #10
    Porktown
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    Re:Boat cover 2012/11/21 09:51:26 (permalink)
    I would go with 16'.  Most factory covers are "fits X'-Y'".  So, if you find one that is 14'-16', that should work.  16'-18' might be large, but most likely just cover the sides with the excess.  Mine is on the larger side, and have it covering my trolling motor and gas motors.  Try to get the heaviest fabric (denier) you can find, no less than 600, which is still much less than the custom covers.  Regardless of the size, you are going to need to make a support system.  If you have wood floors, this is very important to do correctly if you are not storing at home where you can check frequently.  I failed on a support system a few times, and now have a soft spot on the floors, which I pushed off until next year to fix...  My current system seems to work good.  
     
    My support is a bunch of 3/4" PVC with 90 degree bend in the center.  There are a ton of ways to support, just make sure there are no places that will puddle.  Some ways that have failed for me, to avoid...  Those Cabelas multi-piece support posts are junk.  I first tried 1/2" PVC curved.  It looked great and worked until we got some snow, and knocked them in.  Puddled water hitting the floor wood is not good...  
    #11
    Eman89so
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/14 19:34:56 (permalink)
    Is this the canopy place that everyone calls the amish? I need to get a new cover for my boat.. Do you just drop the boat off and they make it and you pick it up in a few days? What is a rough price for say a 19' ? Thanks guys
    #12
    easy1
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/14 20:24:43 (permalink)
    Try Tumac covers in Pleasant Hills. They do great work at a reasonable price. They have been in business for many years. I just had a cover with bows made for my 14 Ft. crestliner. Under $400.
    #13
    BeenThereDoneThat.
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/14 22:55:38 (permalink)
    Eman89so
    Is this the canopy place that everyone calls the amish? I need to get a new cover for my boat.. Do you just drop the boat off and they make it and you pick it up in a few days? What is a rough price for say a 19' ? Thanks guys
    y

    Are you speaking of Crosswells in Fredonia, PA. ?
    #14
    Eman89so
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/14 23:00:30 (permalink)
    It was amish in conneaut thats all I know.. buddy told me about it
    #15
    Fisherlady2
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/14 23:04:08 (permalink)
    Conneautville Canvas... they are an Amish family... the general area is North of Conneaut Lake in NW Pa.
     
    and yes, you take your boat to them, tell them what you want and choose options such as canvas/cloth type and color and hardware types, they give you the estimate and you leave the boat there for them to work on it.  They contact you when it is finished and you pick it up.  They need the boat so they can do accurate measurements. 
    post edited by Fisherlady2 - 2014/09/14 23:09:22
    #16
    SaltWaterRocks
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/14 23:10:09 (permalink)
    Conneautville Canvas 11975 Thatcher Rd, Conneautville, PA 16406
    (814) 587-2755  They can fabricate anything in canvas.  I have had several boat covers made/repaired/replaced by them.  The get my vote.  When you pull in the driveway and see everything from v-bottom fishing boats to giant cabin cruisers costing as much as my house, you know they do fantastic work.  My Lund is a 2004 and my cover still looks like brand new.  Call them and they will give you a drop off date.  USUALLY it only takes a few days.  They have so much work they opened a second shop just down the road.
    #17
    Eman89so
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/14 23:54:42 (permalink)
    Great news will be calling tomorrow
    #18
    Eman89so
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/14 23:55:43 (permalink)
    Any recommendations on type of fabric?
    #19
    Fisherlady2
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/15 06:33:31 (permalink)
    Explain to them what conditions you will be keeping the boat in... will it be outside 24/7/365 or will it be garaged? Will it be outside in the summer but inside for winter?  Things like that will make a difference on fabric type you get.  When you tell them how it will be stored they can suggest the fabric best suited for your cover.  Make sure you request it have a couple of vents in it.
    #20
    Eman89so
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/15 08:55:05 (permalink)
    Got an appt oct 6
    #21
    Trout About
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/09/18 14:58:31 (permalink)
    Eman89so
    Any recommendations on type of fabric?



    Top Gun Canvas.  Every cover I've had them make for me has been Top Gun.  The first two, I sold the boats before they needed replaced.  The next one lasted 8 seasons of being stored outside all year.  Had a new one made last spring.  Hope to get 8 years out of it too!
     

    post edited by Trout About - 2014/09/18 15:10:53
    #22
    Eman89so
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/10/10 11:53:25 (permalink)
    Very very happy with the boat covers from conneaut canvas. Easy to deal with as well only took three days.
    #23
    BeenThereDoneThat.
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    Re:Boat cover 2014/10/10 12:03:25 (permalink)
    Heading for Shenango in about an hour....... Will be there til sunset as long as the gales don't blow.

    Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~
     
     
     
      Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way. 
     
    #24
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