A Boat Cover Buying Guide
Responsible boat ownership involves keeping your boat safe from harm, including theft, vandalism, pest infestation and weather damage. A boat cover is the ideal way to protect your boat from all of these things and it shouldn’t be considered an optional accessory. Covering up your boat when it’s not in use, even when it’s stored indoors, will help it stay in good condition, thus saving you money on maintenance. So really, over time, the boat cover will pay for itself in all the headache it’ll save you on repairs.
So what is it you need to look for when shopping for the perfect boat cover? Barry Jay's & Rainbow Marine in Edmonton is your Alberta boat dealer, so we’ve provided this buyer’s guide to help you find a boat cover that will be compatible with your model.
Why Should I Invest in a Boat Cover?
There are multiple reasons why a boat cover is a great investment. A good, sturdy, weatherproof boat cover will:
- Prevents dust and debris build-up in storage
- Reduces sun damage that can cause cracking and fading of the gel coat
- Shields your boat from potential thieves or vandals
- Reduces entry points for insects, rodents and other pests
- Keeps precipitation off your boat to reduce corrosion
What Features Should I Think About?
Boat covers come in different shapes and sizes to suit all builds of boat, and they also may have different features to suit unique boaters’ needs. Below are just a few of the aspects you’ll want to consider when shopping for a boat cover.
Size
Boat covers are not one-size-fits-all, as nice as that would be. Use the measurements listed in your owner’s manual to determine the size of boat cover you’ll need, taking into account how tall your boat is and whether any accessories or features on your boat might necessitate a bigger cover to fully enclose them.
Material
You can find boat covers in many different materials, including canvas, vinyl, polyester and acrylic. Different fabrics offer different qualities. For example, you may want a heavier fabric for outdoor storage because it will be more protective, while a boat stored indoors could have a lightweight fabric cover that mainly keeps dust off it. Heavy fabrics are also better suited to harsher climates, like we have up here in Alberta, where thick snows might wear away a thin cover much faster.
Waterproofing
Not every boat cover you buy will be completely waterproof. Some covers are labeled as “water-resistant,” meaning that they are treated with a coating that prevents water from soaking through, although this coating can wear off over time and result in a wet cover. If you opt for a water-resistant cover, try to tent the fabric so that water cannot pool on a flat surface and make sure to re-treat the cover every year or so.
Waterproof fabrics are made to repel water, no matter how old the fabric gets, and they are generally vinyl or laminated. The only caveat with waterproof fabric is that it isn’t breathable, which means that moisture can build up underneath the cover and allow mold and mildew to grow on your boat. A boat cover vent can help to provide air circulation to prevent this.
Ease of Usage
The last quality you will want to look at is how easy the boat cover is to use, especially if you have limited mobility or will have to put the cover on by yourself. Some boat covers may be easier to remove and apply than others. For example, certain covers may have latches that lock into place around the boat, which can be time-consuming, while other covers have an elastic hem that simply tightens around the boat once it’s on. The caveat with elastic is that it will likely wear out over time.
We hope these tips help you to find the perfect boat cover for your craft. If you’re searching for boats for sale in Alberta, you can visit our website or our dealership in Edmonton to take a look at our wide variety of new and used boats for sale. You can even discuss financing options with our sales team. Barry Jay’s and Rainbow Marine proudly serves the wider Edmonton metro, as well as the city of Sherwood Park, AB.