snap in covers for crestliner

[Bart]

Anyone have one of the snap in covers on there crestliner? If so do you like it and can you travel with it on?

[Uncle Walleye]

I have one of those. I have traveled with it over the years and its OK. Unless you get into a heavy wind, especially if its a side wind then I have popped a couple of the front snaps and the very last side snap, then look out.

I solved this problem this spring by taking it to a canvas tarp business. I had them install "twist" snaps in several key locations. This actually isn't a "snap" but a hole loop that fits over a "twist" that locks the tarp in place and reinforces the existing snaps. I came back last Sunday from Chamberlain in the heavy winds and rain, and the tarp didn't come undone. First time ever. If your from around the Twin Cities, I had Wyoming Canvas in Wyoming MN.

Good Fishing.

[Jerry]

Bart,
I have the snap cover on my SportFish. I really like it - easy/quick to put on and take off. I always leave the cover on when towing long distances. After 2 seasons and a number of long trips, the cover started to tear at the stress points so I had a canvas shop stitch in some reinforcements. Also, I put a piece of pipe insulation across the top of the windshield so the sharp edges and the rubber stopper don't wear thru. I have experienced the same thing as Uncle Walleye with the front snaps coming undone in strong cross winds. I solved this with an old standby - apiece of duct tape. His idea on the twist-type snaps sounds like a good fix. The crestliner cover is not the most heavy duty and I will probably replace it with TopGun in another season or two but snaps are the way to go IMHO.

[WALLEYE DADDY]

I also have put twist lock snaps on the front bow area of my cover. It keeps the cover from popping loose in the wind. I also put pipe insulation over the top of my windshield frame to keep it from poking through. I always use my cover when traveling, keeps the inside nice and dry when raining.

[Uncle Walleye]

Hey Guy Great Idea on the pipe insulation over the windshield! I have just started seeing some wear in that area. I'm glad you mentioned it.

Good Fishing!

[Jerry]

Uncle Walleye,
Yeah, The sharp edge on the hinge and the rubber stopper on the fold back section of the WS wore right thru two layers of canvas on mine. I filed off the sharp edge on the hinge. I used a piece of pipe insulation big enough to span the rubber stopper - 2" I think.

[Dave R]

I have the same rig as Jerry (1750 Sportfish) with the snap-on cover. I had wear problems at the right rear corner and over the top of the windshield. Crystal Marine sent the cover to their canvas repair shop and it came back with real good reinforcements and has been fine ever since. The cover is very easy to put on and take off. I use the "tent pole" supports in the front and rear which keeps the top nice and snug and minimizes flapping in the wind and sheds water very well.

[jag]

Bought a 1850 SF last year and after one trip from the Twins to Mille Lacs there were small holes developing at the windshield. Did the pipe insulation thing and had a canvas shop reinforce all the critical areas. Now have more invested in this cover than what I would have paid for a better cover from the canvas shop.

[Mr T]

Bart,
I have a 1997 Sportfish 1750. It came with the snap on covers. I can't say enough good about the snap on cover idea. After having fought the old style boat covers with the straps, for what seems like forever, the convinence of the snap on style is a pure delight. I can put it on myself in a strong wind, in about 3 minutes. That said, my cover,(it came with my boat) is not the very highest quality. After 4 years of wind, rain, sun and snow, and many hiway miles, it is showing it's age. I've fixed all the rips and tears with Aquaseal. It's a Urethane glue used to fix neoprene waders. You can find it in any fly shop. The stuff is undestructable, flexible, and NEVER comes off. Not even on the edges. Love it. I too have had a lot of wear in the areas that others have stated. But the Aquaseal has fixed them all. In another couple of years I'll take my boat in and have a new snap on cover made. A place, not far from my home makes one that doesn't need the tent poles because it is so tight. It is a 2 piece snap on affair. A snap on bow cover is piece one. And the windshield and back cover are the second piece. I've seen them on other boats in this area and they are top quality. Same idea as mine, but a much heavier and better quality cover. Cost is about $400. As for traveling, snap on covers are the only way to go in my opinion. Every other kind of cover I've seen gets wind underneath them and then they flap and tear. One bit of advice if you get one is to go to a fabric store and buy a cheapo snap tool, as the snaps do sometimes pull off the cover. Works great and only takes a few seconds to fix with the tool. Probably not upholstry shop quality but I've had good luck with them. And they only cost about 5 bucks.