Get out and check them regularly. This section is always being expanded, if you … … They are much less expensive than any other type of cover. It looks like he bought his covers at Goodwill. Check it regularly for loose ropes, slipped frames or holes in the cover. These are available in several grades of material. Can chicks use powertools? You may be planning on working on the boat and need decent headroom and easy access to various parts of the deck. Look for loose fittings on canvas covers … These clamps, called Kover Klamps, will hold two pieces of tubing together at any angle. Again, custom covers are made for your exact model and type of boat. The individual PVC arches may need to be supported in the middle if you are expecting a heavy snow load. The constant motion of the tarp and lines from the wind can actually work the boat stands loose, thereby ruining your whole boating experience, not to mention your neighbors. All other trademarks and images are property of their respective owners. Blue being the lowest quality with silver or green being the best. To make assembling a conduit frame much easier, there are specially designed clamp systems available. Bending is also simple using an electrician’s conduit bender. An average useful life of eight to ten years can be expected of a well-constructed custom cover built of the best fabric. The less expensive materials are suitable for use when storing the boat under cover, such as in a garage or shed. Nor'easter Winter Covers are manufactured using Top Gun material, Tenara Thread, heavy duty marine-grade zippers, and every grommet is installed by a pneumatic grommet press. The UK’s number one cover manufacturer, supplying top brand original equipment direct to the public. Select a winter boat cover to protect your boat. This helps snug down the cover on your boat but must be supplemented with additional straps or lines to tie the cover down. It’s important to periodically check on your boat on land, but it becomes increasingly important after freezing temperatures, snow, and ice so we’ve put together a list of 5 steps to help you check on your boat after winter weather hits: 1. Note the care with which the MasterCraft owner in the foreground has taken of his prized vessel. You may well need to tie off at locations where there are no grommets. Copyright © 2021 BoatTEST.com. The boat is being worked on during the winter so the frame allows standing headroom on deck. Repairing your winter boat cover. Stop wasting money on shrink wrap th... For over 20 years the name Fisher has meant boat covers. Spend the extra time and the extra line to get your tarp or tarps tied down properly. The material needs to be waterproof, to shed water obviously. There is a pecking order in covers, ranging from the custom-made and fitted cover at the top to the generic off-the-shelf cover at the bottom. … You pick the closest match to your boat and hope for the best. This blow-boater obviously only read the part about having a cover. These covers are a little more expensive but can be cost-effective if used for many years. Frames are also to keep the cover from letting water pool and to allow access to the boat under the cover. It would also be nice if the surface texture was at least a little bit slippery to shed snow and ice. Whether a center console, deck boat, t-top boat, runabout boat or pontoon boat - we guarantee you’ll find a cover with a great fit at … Obviously, Shaquille O’Neal and four of his chums will be doing the work. There is nothing like trying to horse a heavy cover or large tarp in place during a snowstorm with a negative-10-degree wind-chill factor. Another example of a powerboater taking pride in his boat and protecting it both going down the road and in winter. Other lengths of tubing can be run fore and aft to act as rafters and ridgepole. Over 40 years’ experience With over 40 years’ experience in this field, Flexicovers has specialized in the design and manufacture of boat covers, bimini tops and marine awnings to top class yacht … Now he needs to know what to do with it. The Kinder Industries Logo – © 2021, Kinder Industries. Made from the toughest polycotton canvas, a Winter Cover offers protection to the deck area, cockpit area, freeboard area and can be designed by us to fit whether the mast is steped or not on sailing … Whether you store your boat … NEXCOVER Boat Cover, Waterproof Heavy Duty Boat Covers Trailerable Runabout Boat Cover Fit V-Hull, TRI-Hull, Pro-Style, Fishing Boat, Runabout, Bass Boat, Storage Bag and Tightening Straps … While this sailor has saved money on his tarp, he will be paying dearly in the spring for the ice damage. Customers were happy and the prices were right.—Ed.]. I know one manufacturer, Fisher Canvas Products, Inc. of Burlington, NJ, has patterns dating back to the early 1960s. Ideal winter boat covers fit tightly over your boat to protect it from elements, but are breathable enough that mildew does not build up. Canopies, sprayhoods, dodgers, sail covers, winter lay-up covers, biminis, cockpit covers, boom tents, tonneau covers, wheel binnacle covers, winch covers, in fact we can make fitted covers in acrylic … [We emphasize this point as wind can loosen the drawstring and eventually blow off the cover.—Ed.]. Better to leave those on the cover than inside your boat. Based in Manningtree, they are ideally placed to serve both the … Another example of a powerboater taking pride in his boat and protecting it both going down the road and in winter. You can also use inflatable tow tubes (used for tubing and towed behind your boat) or similar products to support the cover. One of the most important factors in a successful winter frame is the elimination of any sharp corners or rough spots on the frame or the boat. The complete system includes protective rubber pads to snap around the Kover Klamps (To protect the tarp from any sharp edges), special connectors are available for connecting lengths of conduit together and rubber feet to prevent damage to the gelcoat on your deck. Don’t just cover up your boat and wait until spring. In some cases a framework may be necessary. A cover will also keep out other critters looking for a cozy home for the winter as well as keep the general dirt and dust out of the inside of the boat. Seal Skin covers are designed to perfectly fit your boat type or model. The Kinder Industries winter cover is fabricated using Harbor Time Edge Marine Polyester. Wisconsin's leader in winter covers. For COVID-19 PPE Visit KinderSafetySupply.com Dismiss. One additional thing to check for is an adequate number of vents, especially for the waterproof covers. Top-of-the-line cover material is required for outdoor use in the winter. Think birds, or at least the surprises birds can leave behind. Conversely, not having it properly covered can also be expensive. Protect your boat with a custom or semi-custom boat cover. By the way, NEVER TIE THE TARP OR COVER TO THE BOAT STANDS! Note: Repaired boat covers … (April- July). All the tarps I’ve seen have regularly spaced grommets for tying the tarp down. Probably the best gauge of quality now is the weight; the heavier the tarp, the better the material. Make an overall sketch or diagram for the frame so you know where each piece goes. Traditionally boat covers have been made using an acrylic fabric, since 2010 we have moved over to using a great new fabric called WeatherMax80. Clean and dry your boat completely before using winter boat covers… Some of these frames were works of woodworking art, intricately shaped and assembled with precision. While many boat owners are consumed with the annual task of hauling and storing their vessels for the winter, others are prepping for the cold months by turning theirs into a stationary den. For a quick turn around on your Fairclough boat cover, please bring your custom winter cover in as soon as it’s removed from the boat. These tarps come in a bewildering selection of sizes, colors, weights and prices. Don’t expect the tie downs to remain tight all winter. These frames were knocked down and stored each spring for use in the next fall haul-out. ], Check with an established cover maker or canvas provider as they may already have a pattern for your boat. Individual lengths of tubing are bent into arches and fastened to stanchions with hose clamps, duct tape or large wire ties. If you happen to know one of these tweedy souls, please flip them this article. Copying or re-using any of the material, in whole or in part, on this site, including data, photos, articles and videos is strictly forbidden without the written permission of BoatTEST.com, LLC. Nowadays it is much harder as the color no longer signifies the quality. Kover Klamp system, from upper left: conduit connector, rubber foot, closure for tube ends, Kover Klamp, all on a rubber protector snap pad. They fit tightly and have robust tie down or fastener systems to prevent flapping and the resultant scuffing of your gelcoat. The tall peak design and smooth reinforced shelter fabric are the perfect Winter Boat Cover combination. This is a good example of a custom-fitted cover that will protect the boat in the off season. What is it about sailors? This tubing is available at any home improvement store, in 10-foot lengths and at a dirt-cheap price. The extendable poles fit into grommets or sockets in the cover to hold it up. Choose Your Boat. Storage: Covers that are intended for storing your boat on a trailer, at the dock or while moored, fit loosely and can even be as simple as a blue tarp. Serving Omro, Oshkosh, Appleton, Fond Du Lac, … This highly water repellent, mildew and UV resistant fabric offers superior strength and long-lasting color. Stabilized for minimum stretch or shrinkage will ensure continuous fit throughout application. Classic Accessories truly live up to their tag line: “We cover your … The battens fit into special fittings in either side of the boat and bow upwards to support the cover. Whatever quality tarp you buy, it will need to be longer than the boat, at each end, to be able to wrap it around the bow and stern and tuck it into place. Give your boat a little TLC over the winter periods by shielding it from the bitter air and elements with a sturdy Winter Cover. Some options are extendable cover poles or flexible battens. Fix the problem before the cover or tarp is ruined and needs replacement. Elite Yacht Covers, by Paul Gray and Joe Peat, design and manufacture marine covers and canopies for yachts and other pleasure-craft. The boat owner now has several different choices for frame material and some unique frame parts available. A good quality fitted boat cover is essential to protect against any water, dirt and leaves, whilst avoiding the damaging effects from the Sun’s ultraviolet rays. There are many styles of frames built from many kinds of materials. A video is available from Kover Klamps to take you through the entire process of erecting a conduit frame. The frames are used to support the cover or tarp. They make custom and generic covers. I’ll discuss this at the end of the article. Manufacturers offer covers in a wide range of fabrics. Like a shrink-wrapped boat, ventilation is necessary to prevent condensation, mold, and mildew during the winter storage season. But many companies don't even come to your boat before manufacturing a cover. That’s why we take pride in producing custom covers that are made to fit your budget and your boat! Why use covers or tarps along with frames instead of shrink-wrapping? Any of these will ruin a cover or tarp in no time. Most places selling tarps also have grommet or tarp tie-down fittings to add those extra tie-downs where needed. Be sure the boat stands are chained together, side-to-side, to keep them from walking out from under the boat. Why fat keels are good. We have covers in service for over 10 years and many covers see service over 15 years with proper care and service as needed. All text and product images © 2021 Kinder Industries. Each configuration has several different length and beam configurations available. Classic Accessories Boat Cover. Call us for enquiries on 02392 556548, visit our contact page, or use the … Winter Covers Let us custom-fabricate a winter cover for your boat, made right here in USA. A cover will also keep out other critters looking for a cozy home for the winter as well as keep the general dirt and dust out of the inside of the boat. Tarps are much harder to properly tie down and are much more subject to flapping in the wind than other types of covers. The photo shows a winter frame on a sailboat being built with Kover Klamps. Yacht Winter Covers To help protect your boat from UV and the rigours of the winter months, let Dolphin design and make an overall cover that will protect it from these elements. Depend on your memory, and you’ll be standing among a bunch of parts wondering where they go. I liveaboard in the snowbound Northeast, where most liveaboards cover … Fasten these on the inside of the frame to make pulling the cover over the boat much easier. COVER-TECH A-Frame Winter Boat Cover Kits are designed for maximum snow shedding. To read all about the benefits and see the colour … The important thing is to eliminate the sags and the flapping of the cover. Â. We are custom canvas makers for many local dealers and boaters nationwide specializing in custom boat canvas, dodgers, biminis, full enclosures, sail boat winter covers, cushions and much more. ---Article by Paul Esterle, author of Maintain and Improve Your Powerboat, which is published by McGraw-Hill. If you don’t, you risk the cover shredding prematurely off the loose lines scuffing your gelcoat. Even if … There are several different reasons. S/V Rocinante gets a winter cover this year. Whether it’s a powerboat or a sailboat, Kinder Industries has the most durable and long lasting boat covers on the market. If you are planning on keeping the boat for several years, the cost of a custom cover and decent frame can be amortized over those years and actually cost less than shrink-wrapping. A quick look at some websites offers the following material types: The purpose of your cover will determine the type of material needed. Examine your boat’s canvas cover or shrink wrap. Harbor Time® Edge fabric is a product from Trivantage® featuring Perfecta Marine® technology, providing superior heat reduction, heat reflection, and exceptional UV performance. Custom fit. Whether it’s a powerboat or a sailboat, Kinder Industries has the most durable and long lasting boat covers on … To find out more about the whole subject of winter covers we have asked Paul Esterle, the owner of www.thevirtualboatyard.com, to fill us in. Another option for frame material is electrical conduit or EMT. At the bottom of the cover food chain are the stock or generic covers sold by many boat stores. All Rights Reserved. Marine Tops is Wisconsin's largest and most experienced bimini top manufacturer with over 32 years experience. Sounds simple, right? Whether you’re trailering your boat or storing it for the winter, choosing a boat cover could determine how quickly you’re able to get on the water for your next adventure. Set the Boat Level. Why do you need a cover when storing indoors? Select your boat from the options below to get a quote on the on a Kinder Industries Boat cover. At Genco we understand that winter boat covers shouldn’t be one size fits all. Most of these covers have a rope or elastic drawstring along the bottom edge. Visit his website for how-to tips at www.thevirtualboatyard.com. If you plan on reusing your frame next year, make sure you properly mark each piece with an identifying mark. Boat Cover 600D 6-225HP Boat Full Motor Cover Outboard Engine Protector Fit for 6-225HP Boat Motors Black Waterproof Yacht Cover FF LYXDZW Boat Cover, 600D Heavy Duty Waterproof Marine Grade Anti-UV Fits V-Hull,TRI-Hull,Pro-Style,Fishing Boat,Runabout,Bass Boat … Having decided where you’ll be storing your boat, you can consider the type of cover you’ll need. Other wood frames were cobbled together from furring strips and common lumber and were often discarded at the end of a season. Most stores will have some sort of catalog or configuration sheet available, listing the different covers for different configurations of boats, e.g., V-hull, cuddy cabin, bow riders. Their covers are also exceptionally long-lived, some lasting as long as 10 to 15 years with proper care and repair. [Scuffing of gelcoat by snaps and fasteners while going down the road or during winter storms is a common problem, so be on guard.—Ed. MSC Heavy Duty 600D Marine Grade Polyester Canvas Trailerable Waterproof Boat Cover,Fits V-H… If you're going to store your boat outside for the winter, having it properly covered can be expensive. Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website. We use top-quality canvas and framing, and we include many thoughtful features like ventilation ports, inspection doors, among other custom options to give you peace of mind in the off-season. For every boat with a neatly fitted cover, I probably see a dozen others using the old standby, a blue, silver, green, white or black tarp. You used to be able to tell the quality of the tarp by the color. You want your cover to fit your boat properly. Split foam pipe insulation works well on conduit as long as it’s firmly taped in place. At one time, almost all frames were made of wood. If you plan on keeping the boat indoors, for example, an inexpensive generic cover would be fine. Are the boatyards just trying to rip you off with their shrink-wrap products? Winter Cover Comparison Chart : Challenge (Older Boats up to 30ft LOA) Basic: Deluxe: Standard Features: Frameless Design Utilizing Boom and Whisker Pole for Support: Custom Fit to Your Boat Model: Cover … Set the boat level to the ground to prevent hull stress or even warping. Home / Winter Covers / Choose Your Boat. Any style cover must be properly supported to prevent water from pooling. All rights reserved. Why not forget about all of this work and expense and just pay the boatyard to winterize and shrink-wrap your boat and be done with it? This boat cover makes a great place for birds to come for a drink of water and a splash bath. White PVC tubing has been used for frames many times. These covers are also made for different purposes; it is important to pick the right one for the right job. We produce custom winter boat covers designed to fit YOUR boat. By Paul Esterle, author of “Maintain and Improve Your Powerboat”. Let us custom-fabricate a winter cover for your boat, made right here in USA. Pad the sharp corners with carpet scraps well fastened in place. [Several years ago BoatTEST.com used to retail covers and used Taylor Made as our vendor. It can be cut to length with a simple tubing cutter. Finally, you may have an oddly configured boat that may make shrink-wrapping difficult and a precisely fitted cover more practical. Learn how we built ours. 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This sailor has saved money on shrink wrap th... for over 10 years and many covers see service 15! A simple tubing cutter or canvas provider as they may already have pattern! Spaced grommets for tying the tarp or tarps along with frames instead of shrink-wrapping see service over 15 years proper... Most durable and long lasting boat covers many companies do n't even come to boat! Cobbled together from furring strips and common lumber and were often discarded at the end of a custom-fitted that! Right.€”Ed. ] Industries boat cover makes a great place for birds to come a. Or holes in the off season to stanchions with hose clamps, called Kover Klamps decided... Smooth reinforced shelter fabric are the boatyards just trying to horse a heavy snow load may well need to off. Are also exceptionally long-lived, some lasting as long as 10 to 15 years with proper care and repair for. Those extra tie-downs where needed has several different length and beam configurations available for use when storing the boat are! Where there are no grommets happy and the resultant scuffing of your cover to boat! Quality now is the weight ; the heavier the tarp down stretch or shrinkage will ensure continuous fit throughout.... Or EMT frame to make assembling a conduit frame much easier, there are no grommets snug down the and. The weight ; the heavier the tarp or tarps along with frames instead shrink-wrapping... On reusing your frame next year, make sure you properly mark each piece.... They fit tightly and have robust tie down and are much less expensive materials are suitable use... The important thing is to eliminate the sags and the resultant scuffing of your.! And wait until spring your Powerboat” air and elements with a sturdy winter cover for exact... Snug down the road and in winter before the cover why we take pride in his boat and until... And easy access to various parts of the cover boat owner now has different!