See full version: Which Boat Cover Material Best Suits My Needs
Let’s take a moment to talk about boats covers. From yachts, sailboats, cruisers, houseboats, and more, boats come in various types, shapes, and sizes. Some are made for freshwater, and some for the sea. When it comes to textiles for boat covers, it’s important to find the one that suits your specific circumstances.
Talking to professionals will help you determine what boat cover material is best for you. There are several types of materials commonly used to create boat covers that include: more
The above list of questions should get you started, but there are also associations and organizations that you can contact or consult to get more information about marine fabrics, including the Marine Fabricators Association and the American Boating Association .
Constructed from durable polyester. Designed for long-term storage and highway travel. Integrated buckle and strap system for seamless fitting and trailering. Includes trailering straps and storage bag.
Inexpensive: Between $40 and $80, you’ll find lower-quality boat covers. Most of these are for smaller boats, but some claim to offer a universal fit.
100% waterproof. Offers UV protection. Includes a heavy-duty shock cord hem that ensures the cover fits most boats. Straps and buckles keep cover secure.
Poly/Cotton Blends - The Polyester/Cotton blend is an attempt to get the best features of both fabrics, by combining the strength and water repellency of polyester with the low price and breathability of canvas. A good balance is 50/50 or 605/40 polyester/cotton, but look for the highest percentage of polyester. Despite the inclusion of more expensive polyester fabric, poly/cotton blends still make very economical boat covers. Yet they still hold up well under highway towing. So if you're looking for a compromise between budget and performance, poly/cotton is your best bet. Warranties are typically 3 years.
If you are a boating enthusiast, adding a boat cover to your marine accessories list provides benefits that go far beyond simply keeping your favorite toy free of dirt and rain. The right covering also provides long-term protectio n against the effects of sun, pollution, and mildew.
Cotton Canvas - Cotton canvas is usually the least expensive option, and provides good all-around protection in mild climates. Cotton is a natural fiber that is very breathable, but is not completely waterproof. Marine-grade 100% cotton, however, is specially treated to provide excellent water repellency, as well as mildew and rot resistance. A canvas boat cover is an economical choice for boaters who want a combination of strength and air permeability. Seams and stress points are reinforced, and the fabric allows moisture to evaporate, helping to prevent mildew damage inside the boat. Although canvas is most often used for mooring and long-term storage, the addition of tie-down strap system will make them suitable for highway towing. When faced with a choice of weave, a duck canvas has a tighter weave, and is therefore more durable than standard types. A good custom-fit boat cover, made of 100% canvas, will usually have a 2-3 year warranty. Polyester - Polyester is one of the strongest materials, providing the greatest outdoor durability of almost any other boat cover fabric. Most premium custom-made boat covers are made of 100% polyester. Polyester covers are found in varying weights, usually between 6-10 ozs. And there are premium covers that have a special coating of acrylic or urethane to add durability and water proofing. Warranties range from 3 to 7 years. Not only is polyester as strong and durable as fabrics twice its weight, it is extremely water repellant. It is one of the most stain, rot, mildew, and UV resistant materials available to provide boat protection. Plus, it will not shrink or stretch like budget canvas. Polyester is not as breathable as cotton, so it is best used in areas where humidity is not a concern. But its' durability makes it an excellent option for long exposure to sun and rain. And with outstanding tear strength and abrasion resistance, polyester makes the best boat cover for towing.[links]
When shopping for the best boat cover for your situation, there are two most important factors: fabric and fit . more
Choosing a boat cover is not really that difficult. And whether you need a discount boat tarp for mooring or storage, or a custom boat cover that is trailerable, the small investment is well worth it.
In our experience, the following sources provide the best prices and customer service.
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Sunbrella® Supreme
Sunbrella® Supreme is the answer to all boaters' desire for waterproof performance with the aesthetics of an interior fabric. Sunbrella is the only company to offer an exterior marine fabric with both an acrylic face and an acrylic flocking on the back. The unique supreme bonding process securely adheres the solution dyed acrylic flocking to Sunbrella brand fabric. the result being an essentially waterproof product for critical marine applications.
Trampoline Fabric
This is the real thing. Just like on catamarans and Hobie Cats, this is the material that you can stand on, but will still let water through. The flattened weave gives it a smooth feel and superior strength.
WeatherMAX 65
This 100% solution dyed polyester incorporates UV resistant characteristics for long-term color and strength retention along with excellent breathablity and abrasion resistance. The HydroMAX finish raises the bar of hydrostatic performance and delivers unsurpassed water repellency, mildew and oil resistance without relying on environmentally unfriendly coating compounds. WeatherMAX 65 has anti-microbial properties and a minimum UV resistance of 1000 hours but only weighs 6.5 oz./sq. yard due to the use of a filament rather than a spun yarn like acrylic fabrics. Excellent for anything from horse blankets to tough outerwear to marine grade tarps.