Snap on Boat Covers
 

I'm gonna transport my boat from TX to Annapolis, just wondering if others use their snap on covers or go without?

Just towed 1800 miles to AZ with my snap covers in place. Traded boats and towed back home without covers. Just about ruined the new boat from the road grime and rained in it for 10 hours. Had a foot of water in the cabin. I can't get covers made soon enough for the new boat.

i would not tow with snap covers that far, get the boat shrink wrapped and get no water in it at all, the snap cover will stretch out and the constant wind whip could tear it, not worth the chance, my boat came from havasu to pa shrink wrapped and the inside was perfect and my good covers were stowed away

Mine catches to much air. I tryed a short run. I can't do it with mine.

Put the poles in so the cover is tight and it won't stretch or get caught in the wind.

I would not, if you do at least tape it all the way around with shrink wrap tape.

+1

Depends on your cover. Mine fit tight and have plenty of snaps to make sure it stays put. I won't tow mine w/o a cover. Wouldn't hesitate 1 sec to tow mine across country with it on.

Have towed a buddies Donzi once with a cover. As soon as I hit highway speeds, it came undone do to the minimal amount of snaps in front.

Mine had snaps about every 6" and I used the poles to keep it tight. Had 0 issues pulling it 1800 miles.

I had a new cover made last year. Doubled the number of snaps in front and went from one pole to two just so i could tow with it. If you get in the rain it will trash an interior. :angry-smiley-038:

As others have said, it really depends on the cover. For instance, I have two cockpit covers that share the same male snaps in the deck. The OEM Progression (Vinyl) cover will blow off in less than a mile - possibly because it doesn't breath. The custom made Acrylic cover works like a champ. Both are supported with a center pole and drum tight.

Now if your snap on cover is a full deck cover, I wouldn't recommend towing with it at all, Too much surface area leads to too much flapping - which leads to destruction.

Your safest best is taped on shrink wrap.

You had some good input. We tape the perimeter with 2-4" blue masking tape and also protect any uphostery under the cover with the same tape. I also tape all pop up cleats lights and fuel fills and vents. We also do a walk around every fuel stop. This protects everything from road grime.

Routine at every fuel stop was to check tires, feel the hubs and check cover. I am sure it depends on the cover. My bow and cockpit covers are both made of Sunbrella fabric if that makes any difference.

fixx
 

+1 on taping the edges if yoiur cover dont have the h/d spring rated snaps..
i have the heavy duty snaps on my x18 cockpit cover and its vinyl and never blew off,even at 5 mph for 400 miles..

alot of people dont know about the hd snaps,you know you got them it they are hard to snap..

I have towed open and with a custom Sunbrella cover.
Properly fitted, padded on the underside contact points, snapped and support poled is the way to go!

My first tows from Ohio and back n forth to LOTO were rough open topped. LOTO trips, Tenn, Austin, Havasu MUCH nicer with the cover.
Road spray and grime sucks to clean up and its near impossible to get all the dirt and grit out that is deposited on the carpet without a full cleaning. Not to mention, there is no worry of a seat cushion or other contents blowing out.

I have a $1000 full cover but would never travel with it even though it says "trailerable" The nice thing about having the mooring cover too is it is much smaller, able to be stowed onboard and easy to snap on to keep things clean when overnighting on the dock too.
My boat is all gel, dont know how much difference there is if it is painted.