Alumacraft Tarp Cover

[Skis]

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!

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]

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

[Skis]

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.

[Dan]

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.

[Skis]

I have a 2001 Magnum 175 CS. Probably a touch too big, but thanks for the offer.

[gardenhackle]

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]

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]

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

[Skis]

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.