New Boat Cover Straps Rubbing My Boat

[rockpt]

Got a new custom cover and the tie down straps are rubbing and leaving a black residue on the boat. Towed it only 8 miles from the shop to home and there was significant residue where several of the straps had been flapping or rubbing against the boat. I was able to rub the residue off with a cloth but that doesn't seem right and I've got to believe after an 800 mile trip to Canada it's going to scuff through the finish. I inspected everything with the guy before I left the shop including the strap tension and he said everything was perfect. I plan on calling the guy on Monday and telling him to fix it or refund my money. Thoughts?

[fireboat]

I had nylon straps on a previous boat and replaced them with rubber. Cabelas sells some real nice rubber straps with a loop on one end and a plastic hook on the other. I also took mine down to the trailer frame to keep them away from the boat. A snap cover doesn't rub the boat.

[kelwood]

If the straps are touching your boat, theres really no way to avoid rubbing. Putting one turn on the strap before you connect it to your trailer will stop flapping or vibrating. Also as fireboat said, adding hooks to your trailer frame will bring the tie-downs straight down and help keep them away from your boat.

[chitterchad]

I use the Stretch Poly-Cords from Cabela's they work great, I'm sure it the same one that fireboat is also using. I also hook the Poly-Cords to the trailer.

There are no metal hooks to scratch or gouge, stetches up to 2x original size. It is unaffected by sunlight, oil, most chemicals, saltwater or salt air

Here a link to them

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...d=cat21332&rid=

[eyeboom]

As previously mentioned, unless you change where the tie downs attach your going to have issues. The fine aggregate (sand, dirt) that gets in between your tie downs and the boat will act like sand paper and take the "goody" off of your finish in 50 miles. I NEVER trailer my boat with the cover on. Just use the cover at night to keep the dew off.

Boomer

[T Mac]

Any place a cover, or the straps touch a boat when being towed...will wear.
-Because movement is going to occur and create friction..

[PJM]

Rockpt

Call me this week and I will give you my thoughts.

[walleyewall]

air will reflect off instead of causing it to shimmy in the also wrapp cords around the trailer and hooking them to themselves make sure the connectors r not touching the boat before moving the boat

[rockpt]

Thanks for all the comments. The guy is telling me rubbing is inevitable, no way to avoid, etc. He's getting his cover back and I'm getting my money back. Taking the boat to a new shop this week.

[T Mac]

Originally Posted by rockpt

Thanks for all the comments. The guy is telling me rubbing is inevitable, no way to avoid, etc. He's getting his cover back and I'm getting my money back. Taking the boat to a new shop this week.

I'm with "the guy"....rubbing is inevitable.
Man ... we tried everything.
That is why Lund, Crestliner, etc went to covers that just cover the ****pit.
Even then, there is rubbing. But it is minimal in location. The rubbing is limited to the gunwhales and windshield frames (on walk/thru models).