View Full Version : Alumacraft Tarp Cover
I just purchased a new Alumacraft and purchased an Alumacraft tarp to put over the boat. The tarp is made of vinyl and I think is very nice. It should keep rain out. However, the straps for the tarp go around the trailer. This makes the straps rub against the boat and has given scratches to my new boat. The tarp also rubs the boat, giving it a definite line. I will need to buff out these marks. Also I have broke 3 straps already in two trips with the straps rubbing the boat. Anyone else run into this? Any suggestions to fix this problem? I e-mailed Alumacraft over a week ago with no response. Thanks!
Trapper
05-02-2001, 09:06 AM
I don't know where you are and you already have your money spent on an Alumacraft cover, but Flynn's Custom Covers in LaCrosse, WI is the ONLY place to get a cover. Ray can cover a boat in two days with a piece of vinyl that will fit your bow mount, kicker, electronics, windshield and any other thing you need the cover to fit. Ray's covers snap onto the boat with very inconspicuous snaps that don't let go in wind or at any highway speed. By the way, he'll cover your boat for $300 to $350 in any color you want. Of course, this is my opinion and I don't mean any offense to any other cover makers reading this. Good luck.
Smitty
05-02-2001, 09:10 AM
Are you sure it's a travel cover rather than a mooring cover just meant to cover the boat while sitting?
As stated above, I have had much better experience with custom made tarps..
Good luck
Thanks for the reply. This is my second boat from this dealer. My first boat came with a custom made cover, but he thought I would like this one b/c it was vinyl, not cloth like my first one. So I know the cover is made for travel, but it sure isn't doing the job. I am bringing it to the dealer this week and they are going to ship it to the company. I am hopeful that I get my money back and then I do plan on getting a custom-made cover.
What size boat? I have a custom made cover for an Alumacraft 185 tiller which has not been used for 4 years. I would be willing to sell for cheap.
I have a 2001 Magnum 175 CS. Probably a touch too big, but thanks for the offer.
gardenhackle
05-02-2001, 02:39 PM
Skis, you have me worried, I pick up my 170 TP Friday and have the Alumacraft tarp. Do you think with a different style trailer that the straps won't rub? Maybe I should have them cedit me before I take it out of the box.
Team Alto
05-02-2001, 08:40 PM
I have a 1995 Alumacraft 170CS and got it with a custom made tarp that straps to the trailer, it rubbed the paint on the boat and had a few broken straps, plus when trailering long distances the straps and trap would stretch. When that one rotted I had a snap on cover made from Top Gun material, I can trailer it up to Canada ( 12 hours) without any worries. I'll never have a strap type tarp or cloth fabric again.
Bob
smiley
05-03-2001, 03:40 AM
Ski's,
Not that this really helps you a whole lot but I just wanted to let you know that Alumicraft doesn't actually make the boat covers. I emailed your post to my brother. He works there. He is going to tell them about this. He gets frustrated because it's just not good to have the Alumicraft name on a tarp that does that to a boat.
Have a great day.
Lisa
I have a Shoreland'r trailer. As I posted an earlier reply, I intend on bringing this one back and getting a custom made cover. It really torqued me off. I need to bring my boat to a body shop to have them buff out the rubbing marks on the boat.
Please read #9 response. I inadvertently posted a reply for you there.
LAST EDITED ON May-03-01 AT 06:17AM (CST)[p]That's what my dealer told me too. However, obviously, their name is on it as they subcontract these covers. I love the Alumacraft boats (this is my second), but they should be held somewhat responsible for what covers their boats.
smiley
05-03-2001, 06:11 AM
You are correct. They should be held responsible. I hope you get some satisfaction. We had the same thing happen to ours.
Good luck.
Lisa
JasonK99
05-03-2001, 11:17 AM
Skis,
I worked for Alumacraft in the engineering department awhile back and I wasn't too impressed with some of the cost-saving decisions they made back then. A decision to use cheaper paint on some of the '93 or '94 boats backfired and a bunch of them had to be repainted because the paint faded in the sun and started to look like a tie-dye t-shirt. I don't know anyone who owns/owned one of these boats but I think Alumacraft did everyone right and repainted the affected boats. You might try to get yours repainted or replaced by Alumacraft since it was technically not your fault the damage occurred. Alumacraft should stop selling the tarps immediately. Bob is right-on, snap-on covers are definitely the way to go.
-JasonK99
Nancy
05-03-2001, 11:34 AM
I used to make custom boat covers and I discovered early on that the flat straps caused all the problems by vibrating in the wind. I went to round, polyester ropes and added 2 air vents to the back over the seat area. These vents really helped with the rubbing but it's almost impossible for all boats that are high profile not to get rub marks on them because the boat sides are so straight. I too, recommend a snap type cover made by a reputable shop, Top Gun fabric. The one thing to watch out for is dirt or sand getting into the snaps, this will make them stick on really tight or not go on at all, but a trip to the car wash will solve this.
Good luck.