35' Executioner vs 1997 35' Lightning Boat Cover
 

I'm looking for a boat cover for my 1997 35' Lightening. (The plexiglass windshield has the popular curved flair on the top.)

Shoremaster makes a custom cover for the 2003-2007 35' Executioner. I suspect this cover will fit my boat, but I'm not sure, if for the purpose of a cover, if my boat is REALLY identical to the Executioner. Does anyone know?

I think you will be ok. Can you return it if it's not right?

To my surprise, even though it is made to order, they said they would accept a return. 20% "re-stocking" charge. If the odds of it fitting are as high as I suspect, I just might take the gamble.

how much? did you try iboats.com? I purchased mine from them, 450.00, semi custom works well. I only trailer with factory cocpit cover.

I dont think it will fit - the deck on the lightning is much higher than the 35 ex. I would keep looking or have someone in the area make a custom cover for it.

I thought that the single step boats were the lower profile and the twin step had the higher freeboard? am i wrong, I thought that a 97 and a new EX would fit[classic lines] versus the twin step lightning

Yep..Yer right. It'll fit.

That's what I thought/hoped! The 2 step Lightning was when they raised the deck and changed the windshield. Then, when they offered the Clasic/Executoinr the boats were essentially renamed single step Lightnings.

Did Executioners have the flaired top on the plexiglass windshield? Would it matter much for the fit of a cover?

Downtown, they cost $543 to $850 depending on the material. The 2 most expensive materials are trailerable.

I've never taken a tape measure to both boats or anything but they damn sure look identical to me. The Ex's have the wind deflector built in to the top of the fairing too. It should fit.

If you are trailering with a full cover on, you will want it to fit 100% perfect. Otherwise I still say it would work fine for sitting around.

you are right

I am sorry - I went back and re read your post and yes, the current ex and the 97 are identical boats and the cover will fit both. For some reason I thought you were comparing the single to the twin step.

Thank you all for the replies.

Here's what I'm finding out: The "Baja" covers on eBay are the low cost winner at about $150, semi-custom like Carver are about $425, custom fit covers like Shoremaster are $550 -850, and full custom locally made covers made out of TopGun or Stamoid are $1000 or so in Central New York state area. Carrie covers are as high as $1750.

I'm leaning towards a locally made custom cover made from 6.25 oz Stamoid.

Comments?

Just had a sweet custom made for my 2001 Classic. Very form fitting, even around the drives. A light weight cover made by Phils Custom Canvas at LOTO. I think the charge is around $1,200.

Rebel Heart...

I would LOVE to see pictures of your cover so I can show them to the shop I'm using. Any info on how you are tieing the cover down and the type and weight of the fabric would also be greatly appreciated.

There are some very good fabics that are in the 10-12 oz range. My concern is that would make the cover somewhat heavy for me and/or my wife to handle...hence my thinking about using 6.25 oz Stamoid

Joel

I'll have to check with Phil about the fabric. It is light weight and he made a zipper and velcro on the left back so that I am able to cover the drives and swim platform snuggly. It covers the sides of the boat all of the way down. I already took the cover off because I'm having some drive work done.

If I can find out more I will let you know. But, I am very pleased with the craftmanship.

I really dont know what Stamoid is. Mine was custom made with 10 ounce sunbrella and goes down ten inches below my rub rail, has a draw string at the rear and five loops on each side for suction cup attachmnents. Sunbrella can be ordered in bulk rolls. The lady who made mine had me come down to the marina to work with her to make sure I got exactly what I wanted. The cover probably weighs maybe 35 lbs? and cost me my first born.

I bought this cover shown in this ad here a couple yrs ago. Love the fact it covers the sides. It's a factory cover that I've heard clears $1000 when new. It's made out of the same material the cockpit covers are from. A vinyl covering.

Man US1 - that is a nice looking cover

Totally! Really nice.

It won't be cheap but there are plenty of places that can custom make a cover like that. Lady here in town made one for my dad's 35 out of sunbrella, covered everything down to the chine.

Had a sunbrella on my 35. Cost 1000. and was not waterproof, and very heavy. I will not go that route again. The new one is like the factory cockpit cover, waterproof and weighs only 26 lbs.

Does Shogren's sell any full covers for the Fountains they sell? I have a 42 Ex with Plexie windshield. Went on iBoat but they only have covers for the Lightning's. Talked to Shoremaster, they are the company that makes the covers for iboat. The guy said that the windshields, and decks maybe different heights so here was not sure if Lightning cover would fit right.

Oh, yeah...the "Lightning" vs the "Executioner" saga. It causes much confusion...and I have found the Shoremasters of the world are indeed unclear as to what is what. For the 35's at least, they DO state the years...so that should allow you to determine a classic Lightning uses the same cover as a newer Executioner... In my case, a 1997 35' Lightning could use a late model 35' Executioner cover. I think you'll find the Lightning vs Executioner similar on the 42'.

I believe Sunbrella is in the range of 10-12 oz in weight. You just confirmed my concern that I need to use a lighter material.