Reviews of Boat Covers - Flyte Marine Canvas

Pros and Cons

Boat covers vary tremendously in cost, quality, effort in utilizing one, and overall form and function. As a custom boat canvas and upholstery fabricator, I want to provide some of my own thoughts regarding different boat covers, whether they are manual covers, partially, or fully-automated, custom-made for the boat and boat lift, or made for boats on trailers. The best boat cover for some, may not be the best for others, depending on what features are most important to the buyer.

Let’s get into it.

Strap Covers

Pros:

Manual strap and snap covers can be inexpensive compared to automatic boat covers, or semi-automatic boat covers.
They can be used on boats on the water, boats on lifts, boats on trailers, or even boats in boat yards during repairs.
Manual covers can last for years
One cover can often be used for different types of boats, i.e. succession boats.

Cons:

There is a wide array of quality in fabric and fabrication. nylon, polyester, and canvas quality varies tremendously. If you go this route ensure you get the quality you pay for. Sunbrella is not the only quality option, although it’s arguably the most recognizable brands for good canvas.
Even the most high-quality canvas wont last long in the Southern sun if a sun-resistant thread isn’t used. most people consider the quality of canvas, bit don’t think much about the stitching. In the SE USA, it’s important to look for PTFE thread, or sun-resistant thread.
Manual covers also won’t last if not properly installed EVERY time. Users might think that their boat cover isn’t a quality product because it’s ripped, or torn, when it’s actually user error that’s the problem. Many people spend time washing down their precious boat, but then throw the cover on without concern for proper water shed. A good design allowing for water runoff is only beneficial if the user takes the time to set it up as designed so that water doesn’t pool. Of course, some covers aren’t designed to have proper runoff, so that’s definitely something to consider.
With that said, manual boat covers can be time consuming to use, which causes many to shortcut the use of them at all. Depending on the size of the boat, it can require more than one person to put it on or take it off. The snaps and straps can be an obstacle to actually covering the boat at all, or can be a reason why the owner decides not to go out on the water.

Some other things to consider when thinking about buying a strappable manual cover are:

Are you wanting a semi-permeable fabric? If so, obviously some water will get through, but it will also breathe better. You’ll occasionally need to wash it, but air flow may help prevent mold.
Are you wanting more of a waterproof fabric? if so, look for covers that have vents, or some other way to allow for air flow.

Manual mechanical covers

These type of boat covers provide some mechanical help in getting the boat covered and uncovered.

Pros:

These covers can make it easier to cover the boat as a party of one.
These manual mechanical covers can save time in covering and uncovering the boat, eliminating the pain point that often keeps people from using their boat.
Some are constructed of high-quality fabrics, with levers and minimal zippers.
These tend to be less expensive than fully-customized, full-coverage boat covers.

Cons:

From my own experience in talking with people who’ve gone this route, prices vary a lot…and so does customer service.
Some have mechanical tracks that can easily fail, and just like zippers in a salt-water environment, can get stuck and not slide like designed.
Some pontoon boat covers, are attached to the boat itself; if you don’t want more holes in the boat or don’t want to carry an entire pontoon boat cover around with you on the aft end, this cover may not be for you.
Warranties vary a lot. Warranties and customer service matter.
Some of these manual, mechanical covers cover most of the boat, and some only cover a portion. If your runabout or pontoon boat gets hit by the sun, you might want to consider full top and side boat protection to avoid costly gel coat and upholstery repair or replacement.

Here’s a picture of a manual mechanical cover in our area in Northwest Florida. What’s the level of protection here?

Boathouse

Boathouses are another way to cover a runabout (center console, or other inboard/outboard boat), or pontoon boat. These are permanent structures, often built at the time a dock is installed , but not always. Permitting is required in almost all cases in NW FL.

Pros:

Usually, the most sturdy, long-lasting structures to provide boat protection, storage and entertainment space.
Can be built to match the house.
Can be custom-made for house, lift, boat, and other watercraft, based on what is permitted in the area.
Can be designed with floating walkways that can adjust to water surges; alternatively, perforated platforms can be used to allow for the decking to be submerged if surges occur. It just depends on your interest, and wallet size.

Cons:

It goes without having to be said that this is the most expensive option in covering a boat.
Not only is this the most expensive option to install, it also takes the longest to install. Boathouses require a labor team, and aside from the materials, the labor can be costly.
Boathouses are realistically very difficult to protect during storms; this being the case, they are usually the most expensive to repair after storm damage.
Boathouses, while most expensive in covering a boat, often only provide sun protection when the sun is directly over the boat. The sun still causes damage to the boat’s gel coat and upholstery. (How many boat’s in boathouses have you seen with manual covers on them, as well?)

Canopies

Canopies take the place of a boathouse, without the built-in storage that many boathouses have, and without the same permanency.

Pros:

Less costly than a boathouse; the cost of replacing the fabric can be far less than repairing a boathouse.
Can be installed quickly compared to a boathouse.
Because there is a frame with a fabric “roof,” visibility beyond the canopy is good.

Cons:

At least one boat canopy company claims on their website that a key reason you’d need a canopy is protecting the boat’s hull and upholstery from the sun. Yet, just like the boathouse, this half-round roof only provides protection from the sun when directly overhead. The sun’s rays will still damage the boat’s gel coat and upholstery.
The canopy is high; any place that becomes unattached, may require a service visit to reattach. Additionally, you need to determine exactly what you’re wanting this canopy for. I’ve already mentioned the sun, but because of the open sides, will it keep debris, birds and other critters from getting on your boat?
At the time of this writing, these canopies are generally attached to the frame with elastic fasteners, which have been seen to fail. If one or more fasteners fail, the cover flaps around.
These covers, if damaged, (pretty much like the others) are only as good as the company’s customer service.

While, for some, boat lift canopies are exactly the fix some want to keep overhead sun off of their boat, here are a couple we’ve seen while cruising around during the spring/summer, prior to any hurricane season:

Fully-automated, full-coverage boat cover

At the beginning of this page, I mentioned that the “best” boat cover really depends on the features a buyer is looking for. Some want to do away with the manual hassle. Some don’t want to pay for the upgrade of automation. Some want full coverage, while others don’t want anything impeding the view.

Here, I’ll discuss the pros and cons of a fully-automatic, full-surround boat cover.

Pros:

This provides top and full-side coverage, which out performs the boathouse in protection from the sun’s damage, while still having ventilation from the bottom.
The Touchless Cover is a remote-controlled, or Smartphone-operated cover. It opens or closes within seconds, and has no straps or snaps to deal with.
It uses heavy duty 11oz coated marine fabric. It’s fade-resistant, cleans well, and since there’s full coverage, it protects the boat from birds and other animals. If there’s concern animals will get in from the bottom, they have additional breathable panels that can be utilized.
People with vacation homes on the water LOVE this cover because it can keep prying eyes away from the boat and accessories, while Siri can lift the cover regardless of where the owner is, and, with cameras, can enable the owner to check on their boat from afar.
It is considered a temporary structure, as the cover itself can be removed from the frame; this satisfies many HOAs that don’t allow permanent structures.
Those wanting full-coverage but still want to enjoy the view love being able to raise the cover whenever they want.
Fiberglass poles provide inside-cover “ribbing” for support.
Resources are available verbally as well as in person, or additional packages during approaching hurricanes.

Cons:

The Touchless Cover is pricier than many covers on the market, so they are not for those wanting a new cover every couple of years. The price is a function of the high-quality components, including the motor, fabric, 2″ aluminum framing, and stainless cables and fittings, all of which are tailored to the boat, lift and dock. Interestingly, many canopies and other cover systems are close to the same price.

Here’s a picture of a Touchless Cover inside a boathouse, one with a pontoon boat, and a cover with only the Touchless Cover:

I want to add that it’s worth looking into the hurricane ratings for any cover or canopy you’re considering. I’ve seen plenty of companies that claim “hurricane rated”, but then don’t have any explanation as to what that means. Any rating should be certified by a third-party, and should give information regarding the integrity of both the fabric, and frame.

Want to know more about The Touchless Cover? Click on that link for info on the company, or visit the dealer’s website for the Emerald Coast here.