Travel cover problem

[Firetiger]

I have a Lund ProV and have a custom made travel cover. When I travel the straps, the ones that tie down onto the trailer, leave scratch marks on the boat. Has anyone else had this problem and is there a solution?

[Jerry]

Consider installing snaps. I think you'll be happier.

[whitetips]

Snaps Seconded, had covers with snaps for 35 yrs. One lasted 24 yrs before I had it repaired.

[Nancy]

Lund boats have a high side-wall that makes them hard to strap a cover down without the straps vibrating with the wind when traveling, this is what causes your marks that'll soon turn into spots where the paint will be worn off. Snaps can be good, but choose a reputable cover maker or upolsterer to make a cover for you.I recommend using a hard-action snap in the very front of the boat where the wind is the strongest and the rest of the cover use the regular action snaps.
Also, with snaps try to keep them clean and as dust free as possible because it'll make them hard to remove.
Good luck.

[Gumbo]

I read a lot of comments here on snaps vs straps. Personally, I have both. My Lund sunbrella cover is a snap-on (vinyle bow cover). I use this for trailering. I also have a full Top-Gun strap-on cover. I would (and have) trailer with this except that it also covers my main motor and kicker, and I don't want the material to scratch the cowls.

If you want to trailer with your strap on cover, look at the material of your straps. My Top-Gun straps are made of nylon cord. They don't catch the wind like some flat straps and I've never had them chaff my boat while trailering.

[RANGER]

My cover is made out of Top Gun material. It snaps to the boat just under the rubrail and contains a drawstring just under the snaps. It is a full cover, including the motors. Every place that the cover touches the glass there is a soft innerliner (rayon soft) that is incorporated, including the cowls. Fully reinforced where needed. IMHO, this is the BEST way to go. Boat stays completly dry, dust free, windshield protected and aerodynamic (as aero as a boat can be). I also have a full set of top covers of the same material and I'm covered }> all the way around!

Snaps are my way of going.


RANGER


"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[St Croix Boy]

I talked to a guy locally who makes custom covers. He stated you should never connect your straps to the trailer. This causes friction from the movement of the boat up and down on the trailer. Instead you should bring straps all the way under the hull and connect to the other side of the boat cover. He suggested using short pieces of a soft rope to make this connection. It makes sense to me.
Good luck.

[REW]

A very common problem. The best solution is to not use a travel cover.

Short of that, you really need a different style strap - or at the very least - need a nice custom cushion for each strap to preclude "flapping" which is the root cause source of your problem.

Take care

REW

[Hawgeye]

I have to agree with REW on this one. I have over the years changed over to no cover. I bring the cover with to protect it at night at the hotel but elect to keep it off during trips. I used to get "rash" on my old boats that have had strapped covers but never had the snap on covers. All it takes is one time to rub and the damage is done. I would try the snap on if I felt I had to have a cover but so far, a cover proves to be more hassle and causes more harm than just traveling without one. Personally I feel the snaps on the boat are unsightly and prefer not to have them on my boat. The boat does not get any damage traveling without a cover and th only problem is if it rains, snows or hails during transit. If that is the case, just take the tarp out and put it on before the rain hits. Take it off when it is sunny. I just let it rain in the boat myself. I always give it a good cleaning when the trip is over anyway so a little rain won't hurt...

[mkvwalleyes]

Firetiger,
I have a custom made strap down cover on my Lund ProV. It has 1" Nylon webbing straps. I had the same problem.
Simple Fix: Twist webbing straps about 7-10 times. It runs down the interstate at about 70mph without slapping on the boat.
~Matt

[Firetiger]

REW,
I appreciate your comments. A cushion is exactly what I was thinking of, something like those kayak or canoe protectors for cars made from styrofoam. I have come to the same conclusion, to not travel with the cover. However, this is something that needs an invention.

[T-Mac]

I'll tell you the same thing I tell all the folks we sell a boat to.
"Anything...repeat...anything, that rubs on the boat will, eventually, wear the paint off...just like it would wear the paint off your truck."

[Cangl]

Might consider bungy straps (rubber) #20amp single strand strand coated electrical wire( which has memory enough not to unwind) loop the wire through the eye of the strap(metal hook removed) make three wraps around canvas loop trim wire, using two or three different lengths of bungy's for tension adjustments stretching cover by hooking to trailer frame or eyes's. Have had mine that way for years and no knots or metal near boat. Occasionally replace the rubber straps. Real easy to just unwrap wire coil run through eye walla. Less than an hour to do whole cover have not had to replace a strap in years. No scratches excess strap length can be wrapped or wrapped for more cover tension.

[Mike M (Sask)]

Nancy

Have you ever had problems with the tarp coming unsnapped at the rear of the boat will travelling? I'm just curious. I have thought about going to a snap down tarp but never have. The only concern I have is travelling down the road only to discover the rear snaps let go because of billowing and the snaps have been beating the boat up. Am I just dreaming here or has anyone ever had any problems like this? I have always had a tie down tarp and because of this I agree with REW. I only use them for covering the boat at night. I would rather remove road grime from my boat rather than try to polish scratches out.

Thanks and Good Fish'n
Mike M (Sask)

[Fritz]

I have a custom cover with snaps on my Crestliner Fishhawk. The snaps are on the bottom of the rub rail on the sides. I have not had a problem with the snaps in this location and the cover works great. I use it mainly on long trips going down the road. In two years, I have not had any marking from the cover.

[bigfish1965]

How about fastening some damp sponges to the straps where they rub the boat?

[Wile E.]

I have the soft rope and I like it. It might take a few minutes longer. To get them under the bottom of the boat I have a old gulf club with a hook at the end to pull the rope under then go through the D ring twice then tie a half hitch (half a bow)and it won't come loose.