Clicky

    Best Boat Cover Reviews: Our Most Protective Picks

    If you don’t want your boat to look like a Salty Dog, then you’ve got to be able to take care of it properly. When a boat is left out in the sun, the materials will naturally expand and contract as it is heated and cooled. The sun will naturally fade the appearance of the boat and even yellow it somewhat. Then there’s the wind, the rain, and the general muck of the outdoors. To prevent of all this issues proactively, you need one of the best boat covers that is manufactured today.

    Here Is the Best Chart for Boat Covers

    For a somewhat modest investment, your new boat cover will prevent fading and oxidation. It will hide items from theft. To get the best boat cover, the chart below will help you quickly compare and contrast the most usable items on the market today.

    What Are the Boat Cover Basics To Know?

    Many boat owners see a cover as a security tool. In other words, what is out of sight will be out of mind. An added benefit is that you won’t have to clean up as much mold on the outside of your boat either. Your first decision is to look for a storage cover for your boat or to invest into a trailering boat cover. Trailer boat covers need to fit snugly. Storage covers can essentially be a carport, if you have one that is big enough.

    There are many universal fit boat covers that will get the job done effectively for you and for a pretty good price as well. These universal covers can provide storage and trailer covering options simultaneously, with some of the best boat covers in this field having a travel rating of up to 70 miles per hour. Custom covers, however, will always fit better on a boat than a universal cover will.

    Salty Dog’s Favorite Boat Covers

    Vortex Heavy Duty V Hull Fish/Ski/Runabout Cover


    Made from a heavy-duty waterproof fabric, this universal boat cover works well for mooring, storage, and trailering. Unlike other boat covers, owners will find that this one has an elastic band in addition to the standard straps so that a tighter fit can be achieved. Often rated as one of the best strap systems that are available right now, it will work on any boat that has a maximum beam of 96 inches. With a 5-year warranty for the 600-denier solution dyed polyester, this is definitely an investment that boat owners won’t mind making.

    Classic Accessories StormPro Heavy Duty Boat Cover


    The reason why this boat cover is so durable is that it has been made with marine canvas instead of some polyester blend. The strap design is quite useful with this boat cover as well thanks to the quick release buckles. There’s an elastic cord available to help secure the bottom hem as well. This cover is more for traveling or for storing a boat over the long-term more than short-term moorage. Be sure to check out the two rear vents that have stiffeners built into them so that wind pressure can be effectively reduced.

    Vortex Ultra 3 Pontoon/Deck Boat Cover


    If you’re trying to cover a pontoon boat, it can be sometimes difficult to find a universal boat cover that works. Thanks to Vortex, however, that has become a very real possibility. Not only is this cover made from a waterproof polyester material that can stand up to the might of the sun, but it also affixes tight enough to the pontoon so that it can protect the boat during traveling. It’s perfectly designed to make sure that water stays out, but it won’t keep moisture in either.

    Classic Accessories Stellex All Seasons Boat Cover


    One of the best boat covers on the market today is also one of the most affordable. It’s the integrated system of buckling and strapping that really help to make this cover stand out from the rest of the pack. The straps are adjustable and they snap into the buckles much like you’d find on a car seat. There’s enough room in this boat cover for additional accessories as well, like your running lights, thanks to the full cut design. Made from tough polyester, dirt and stains don’t stand a chance when this cover is on your boat.

    Vortex Canoe/Kayak Cover

    Sometimes it isn’t a full boat that needs to be covered. Owners of canoes and kayaks want to protect their investment as well and that’s what this boat cover does. With a heavy-duty zipper, you’ll actually insert your kayak into this boat cover so that it’s like having a giant polyester bag. You then just attach the canoe or kayak to your transportation method and you’re ready to have some fun water recreation. It’s simple, affordable, and effective.

    How To Choose the Best Boat Cover Today

    The type of fabric or material that you choose for your boat cover will really help your boat stay nice over time. You need to have something that will be able to keep all of the rain out when you store your boat in winter, yet still let any moisture that has gotten under the cover to escape. They need to resist UV rays just as much as they can resist mold and mildew. That’s why many boat owners are looking at covers, which are made from a synthetic, coated fabric like marine canvas.

    Something as simple as a tarp, however, or even a cotton covering is better than nothing. Having an acrylic coated polyester is a good choice of cover for those who own a boat that is primarily made for wood. Urethane coating is a great option to consider if you happen to live in a climate that is regularly humid and hot.

    Expect a decent boat cover to run about $80 on Amazon right now for a 19-foot boat. Prices may vary, however, based on materials and the size of boat that needs to be covered. Custom boat cover prices are based on need.

    The importance of a boat cover can never be over-emphasized. If you are a boat enthusiast and you don’t have a cover for your boat, then you are not living up to your identity. The protection that a simple boat cover can provide to your boat is unmatchable. You cannot expect a boat to remain the same without a cover. It will protect its surface and keep it new for a long time without requiring extensive maintenance. So, without a doubt, the smartest thing to do is to buy a cover along with the boat so that you can keep it new for as long as possible.

    However, when you are buying a boat cover, you must make sure that certain features are present in your purchase. These characteristics must not be overlooked as they will make the cover reliable and worthy.

    Cover Material

    The reliability of a cover depends primarily on its material. If the material of your boat cover is sturdy enough to withstand wear and tear, it will be able to provide better protection to the boat.

    Several different materials are available on the market. Polyester is one of the most common materials used to make boat covers. Many companies boast about manufacturing 100% pure polyester-made covers. If these are coated with polyurethane, the quality improves even further.

    Besides polyester, vinyl, polyvinyl, poly canvas, and acrylic canvas are also utilized for this purpose. The material of the cover should be reliable such that it should not shrink or stretch permanently throughout the period of use. Many manufacturers provide this guarantee, so it is desirable that you buy a cover that is backed up with such a guarantee.

    Moreover, do check for material safety. Whatever material the cover is made of, it must be non-carcinogenic and environment-friendly.

    Water Resistance

    Buying a boat is a big investment in itself. If you live in a moist climate or some area with frequent rainfall, then it is important that you buy a boat cover that is water-resistant since it will protect your boat from moisture. Unnecessary moisture can ruin your boat by making it prone to mold and mildew attacks. This can, in turn, cause some serious damage to the vehicle and will need a good amount of money to repair.

    Boat covers that are coated with polyurethane are water-resistant. Many manufacturers are now developing double polyurethane covers that are even more durable and more waterproof than before.

    What some people do not like about water-resistant boat covers is their overall look. For some customers, the look of acrylic covers is much more aesthetic, and that is one point that might be a set-back for water-resistant covers. However, since the safety of the boat remains more important for most buyers, this issue can be overlooked.

    Layer Thickness

    The thickness of the fiber is important because the thicker the fiber, the stronger the boat cover, and the better the protection. Denier is a unit used to express the thickness of the fiber. If the denier is higher, it means that the fabric is stronger. Good fabric for boat covers should be at least 300 denier thickness.

    However, 600 denier is much more preferable, and most reliable companies make boat covers with a fabric strength of 600 denier or above. This gives them renowned durability that adds significantly to the reputation of the product as well as of the manufacturers. If the fiber is thick, it will withstand wear and tear for a long time and spare you from having to go buy another one soon.

    Sizes

    A wide range of boat cover sizes is available on the market. Make sure you buy the right one for your boat. It must fit according to the size as well as the shape of the boat. Depending on the shape of the hull, the upper area of the boat will vary as well. So, accurate sizing is necessary for optimum functionality of the boat cover.

    Buy a cover only after you know the length of the centerline and width of the beam. For either of the measurements, remember to measure in a straight line only. Include any protruding parts in the length.

    For the width, you must measure the widest point of the boat. If the size of the boat cover is appropriate, it will avoid sagging, bagging, and ballooning. Moreover, it will keep you from getting frustrated while trying to put it on the boat. It will provide just the right coverage and will not slip off when it is windy, a problem that might often cause irritation.

    Weather Conditions

    An ideal boat cover must be able to protect the boat from extreme weather conditions. It should protect the polish of the boat from becoming rough due to UV damage or rain. It is very important that the cover is both breathable and water-repellent so that the insides of the boat do not develop a moldy smell.

    Boat covers that provide UV damage protection are becoming immensely popular as they keep the boat new for years. So whenever you are buying a boat cover, remember to keep in mind the weather conditions of your area and make a purchase accordingly.

    Sealed Seams and Elastic Hem

    Most boat covers have sealed seams and elastic hems. However, if this is not the case, we recommend you look for another cover as this one will not last long. An elastic hem will provide a more custom and snug fit and save you from the extra effort when covering the boat. If the hemline has a cord sewn into it, the fit becomes even more secure.

    Tying Straps and Buckles

    Buckles, straps, and fasteners significantly enhance the value of a boat cover. We recommend that you always go for a cover that has these extra features as they will make your life easy. Adjustable straps make the cover fit on the boat even better. This is because if the cover is loose, you can still adjust it and fasten it as per your requirement. Other covers have quick-release buckles that provide further ease of adjustment.

    Boat Cover Types

    Many types of boat covers, as well as shade tops, are available on the market to suffice the needs of all boat owners. Here we have listed some of the most commonly used boat covers that are currently high in demand.

    Mooring covers protect the boat when it is long out of use. These covers are usually made from breathable material that prevents too much moisture from accumulating in the boat. They provide complete coverage to the boat from the upper surface to below the rub rail.

    Travel covers are used to cover the boat when it is being transported on the road. They have a streamlined shape that allows the boat to be moved without being slowed down. Their material is also sufficiently breathable that allows moisture to escape from the insides of the boat.

    Then there are covers that are specially built for the winter storage of boats. These are specifically designed to protect the boat from tough weather conditions and allow snow to slide off easily.

    Center console covers are specially made to protect the center console of the boat. They usually come in a universal design and are most suitable for protecting the electronic parts within the console from harsh weather conditions.

    Bimini tops are covers that have tops with an open front to fit the cockpit. They are mostly made using canvas. However, other materials are also used sometimes. These covers have an adjustable metal frame, too.

    Another type of boat cover is the enclosure curtains. Vinyl is the most widely used material for these covers. They enclose the cockpit of the boat and have curtains that are attached to the shade cover.

    Boat Cover

    Cover Style

    Plenty of boat cover styles are available across the market, and you can definitely find the one that suits you best. They include:

    Universal Pontoon Covers

    A universal pontoon cover is great for covering the outboard and the deck of the boat. Covering a pontoon boat is as important as covering all other boats because you want to keep it new for as long as possible.

    Semi-Custom Boat Covers

    Semi-custom boat covers are easy on the budget and are a great replacement for custom covers. They are very durable and are often fully-trailerable as well. So, if you do not want to spend much money on a customized boat cover, you can always go for a semi-custom one.

    Boom Awnings

    Shade-like structures called boom awnings are an excellent choice for covering the deck or any other specific portion of the boat with a shade. It is not just limited to the cockpit and instead provides a greater option and versatility in terms of providing coverage.

    Summary

    The best boat cover doesn’t have to be a complicated item or a customized fit to provide your boat with protection. Use these tips and options today to select the right cover to meet your needs and your boat will thank you for it.

    Related Posts