Tow with cover on or cover off?

[Eric_CO]

I have a glass lund boat. THe cover is really nice with ratchets that help tighten it up on the transom eye bolts. The dang thing still rubs on the fiberglass on the side and I can't handle that. Looks like permanent damage at this point.

Anyone have success with the snaps on a glass boat? Could I put them under the rub rail so line doesn't get snagged?

Sure woudl be nice to have her bundled up when not in use, but at this point, I'm not willing to damage the boat to keep it clean.

[perchjerker]

Originally Posted by Eric_CO

I have a glass lund boat. THe cover is really nice with ratchets that help tighten it up on the transom eye bolts. The dang thing still rubs on the fiberglass on the side and I can't handle that. Looks like permanent damage at this point.

Anyone have success with the snaps on a glass boat? Could I put them under the rub rail so line doesn't get snagged?

Sure woudl be nice to have her bundled up when not in use, but at this point, I'm not willing to damage the boat to keep it clean.

my Grady has snaps that are on the underside of the rubrail (facing down).

The mooring covers fits super tight and does not damage the finish while towing

[MrWalleye73]

Depends on the cover too a little bit. If it wasn't made to fit the boat real well, it could be a big hassle. How many boats do I see on the highways with poorly fitting covers that are flapping all over the place, half coming off, torn up etc. Half of them look like parachutes in the making. A good fitted or custom cover travels well, and I've had enough incidents without the cover on to make me want to travel covered up (unless a short 5/10 mile local lake to lake trip at slow speeds). A custom snap cover with a good drawstring cincher has worked well for many years for me. It never balloons up at all, rather sort of conform the boat/support poles when encountering winds etc, so I assume it's not a huge drag or detriment to fuel economy. At least not noticeable enough for me to know.

[jokerjim]

Eric_CO, As I stated in my previous post. Your cover should have a softer material attached to your existing cover any where the existing cover touches your boat. The softer material is like a lining that will not scratch your boat as your cover moves around while you travel down the road.

[mikebertin]

I don't mind doing a couple hundred miles with cover off on my return trip as long as it's mostly highway driving. Helps dry out the boat. Last thing I want is a moldy interior from covering up wet carpet. I use Armor-All liberally on both boat & trailer to deflect small stones & prevent chipping. (Works with motorcycle dirt racers, should work for me too right?) I will cover up if I know I'll be traveling gravel roads but that only means I have to uncover at home to dry out.

[Eric_CO]

Not trying to resurrect a dead post, but I've changed my mind on this.

I've been travelling a bit more recently with the boat and I can no longer handle the road grime and such from travelling with the cover off when we hit snow/rain.

Just last sunday hit a tiny little rain shower near my house and then did 3 miles on the dusty gravel roads I live on and it took two hours to get the boat clean enough to even climb into. Then I ended up hitting my head on the end of the garage door track that sent me to my knees and almost passed out.

So I've had it. My next trip I'm using the cover to see how that goes. With all the docking I have to do now I can get over any slight rubbing marks I think.

I guess I could always get it wet sanded if it really bothers me.

Plus if I can get more than 10 miles per gallon in the diesel, I can buy more tackle.

[jmill77]

Originally Posted by Eric_CO

Just last sunday hit a tiny little rain shower near my house and then did 3 miles on the dusty gravel roads I live on and it took two hours to get the boat clean enough to even climb into. Then I ended up hitting my head on the end of the garage door track that sent me to my knees and almost passed out.

Tow with an cover and save a headache.

[REW]

JM,
I have had the "hitting the head on the garage door or door track while in the boat" syndrome.

As a result, I keep a hard hat, close to the spot where the boat is parked in the garage.

Now, whenever I think about getting into the boat, while in the garage - I put on my hard hat. It saves so many "head aches".

[Eric_CO]

Originally Posted by REW

JM,
I have had the "hitting the head on the garage door or door track while in the boat" syndrome.

As a result, I keep a hard hat, close to the spot where the boat is parked in the garage.

Now, whenever I think about getting into the boat, while in the garage - I put on my hard hat. It saves so many "head aches".

I'm going to have to do this. I was just loading up the built in cooler with ice and had the garage door open which is not the norm. Stood up and smacked the back of my head on the garage door.

P.S. I have polish ancestry. (No offense to the overly sensitive intended.)

[clarkend]

Where I live here in the good ol Bakken play area, a good tarp is a must I think. I have lost one boat windshield to a rock....none of my 4 personal vehicles have a clean uncracked windshield....too many gravel trucks, other semi's, jacked up stacked up oilfield pickups....also spend a lot of time in Canada and the roads there are just plain bad!

I tarp everywhere I go!

Clarkie