"Custom" Boat Covers

itchin for fishin · 02-03-2005, 07:51 PM

Does anyone have any experience with these mail order direct "custom" boat covers? Specifically, I was looking at the boatcoversdirect.com site to purchase a cover for my Sea Ray. Seems to me that since these models are abundant and standard, someone could offer a quality Sunbrella cover without the extra measuring a custom shop would do at a whole lot less! Has anyone used this boatcoversdirect or a similar type company?

Rattlesnake Gal · 02-04-2005, 09:02 AM

To get you started:
Bimini Thread
Good luck!
RG

itchin for fishin · 02-04-2005, 09:29 AM

Thanks RG. I did go through that entire thread. My thought was I had a little more give in a mooring cover over the bimini thus my new thread. Boatcovers.com did have two options for my boat, one was a "semi-custom" the other "custom." The Overton's mentioned in the bimini thread seemed to generic for my needs.

fatlazyless · 02-04-2005, 09:31 AM

In the Cabelas catalog or on www.cabelas.com, there's the Hurricane Boat Cover Company's 1-800 number, that does the same thing; makes in three different materials, prices & colors from computer memory. I went with the low price model and for about $425. got a cover for my '94 21' walk-around cutty cabin made out of a not-very-breathable grey canvas material and then installed a couple of air vents on top. Breathable and color-choice Sunbrella probably costs a lot more. They asked questions like; high-low bow rails,inboard-outboard or outboard? It fits good.

Rattlesnake Gal · 02-04-2005, 12:33 PM

itchin for fishin,
I hope that I didn’t come across snooty, making you feel that should have searched before posting. That was not why I posted the link. There was just some possibly pertinent stuff to your situation.

When I go to make a big purchase I try to look at all the angles. Drives my husband crazy!

RG

Grady223 · 02-04-2005, 01:59 PM

I have found Rollins Uphiolstery in Wolfeboro to be almost as reasonable as the mail order and if there's an issue he's right there. Take your boat there and he custom fits it so you know it'll be right. Besides, doesn't SeaRay have some kind of funky grommet set up that attaches the cover to the windsheild - does anyone do this except SeaRay?

itchin for fishin · 02-04-2005, 04:42 PM

RG, you can never come across as snooty!

Itchin

BroadHopper · 02-04-2005, 05:19 PM

'The Canvas Guys' in Gilford is reasonable and excellent quality. The are across from Dave's Motorboat Shoppe.

Belmont Resident · 02-05-2005, 01:06 PM

When I see some of the half A$$ tops out there I’m glad I had mine custom made. All hardware is stainless and locked into place. Top is made to withstand speeds of 45MPH. Try that with a top made using aluminum stock.
Someone I know has a Chaparral, the top that came with the boat uses stainless poles and hardware but the poles still pivot. Poor design, no way you can attach a grill to it.
Bottom line is sometimes you get what you pay for. Village Canvas did an excellent job on mine.

Proline · 02-07-2005, 06:08 PM

Two words....Canvas Plus - in Melvin Village 603 544-3178. Ask for Rick. You won't be disappointed. Guarantees the stiching and no pooling water. Good luck.

Fun4us · 02-22-2005, 07:56 PM

I love my custom made cover. It fits the boat like a glove. Now worry about wind or puddling. I think it was the best single investment I made for the boat. And having it made by a local person you seem to get a better job. Oh yes and the price for a morring cover for a 27 foot boat was far less than mail order!

winnilaker · 02-23-2005, 01:11 PM

Ask for Doug, 603-455-5250. From his company info page;At Shorline Cover Works our focus is on serving recreation and industrial canvas and vinyl needs. Rapid turnaround through on site repair service, reducing your investments' exposure to the elements. Give us a call for that Spring canvas restitch. We cover what others don't. What about that bike, snowmobile seat, toolbox, welder?

02-03-2005, 07:51 PM	#1
itchin for fishin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 105 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	"Custom" Boat Covers Does anyone have any experience with these mail order direct "custom" boat covers? Specifically, I was looking at the boatcoversdirect.com site to purchase a cover for my Sea Ray. Seems to me that since these models are abundant and standard, someone could offer a quality Sunbrella cover without the extra measuring a custom shop would do at a whole lot less! Has anyone used this boatcoversdirect or a similar type company?

02-04-2005, 09:31 AM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 304 Thanked 1,050 Times in 765 Posts	Hurricane Boat Covers In the Cabelas catalog or on www.cabelas.com, there's the Hurricane Boat Cover Company's 1-800 number, that does the same thing; makes in three different materials, prices & colors from computer memory. I went with the low price model and for about $425. got a cover for my '94 21' walk-around cutty cabin made out of a not-very-breathable grey canvas material and then installed a couple of air vents on top. Breathable and color-choice Sunbrella probably costs a lot more. They asked questions like; high-low bow rails,inboard-outboard or outboard? It fits good.

02-04-2005, 05:19 PM	#8
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,613 Thanks: 3,245 Thanked 1,113 Times in 799 Posts	The Canvas Guys. 'The Canvas Guys' in Gilford is reasonable and excellent quality. The are across from Dave's Motorboat Shoppe. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

02-05-2005, 01:06 PM	#9
Belmont Resident Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belmont NH but prefer Jackman Maine Posts: 1,857 Thanks: 491 Thanked 410 Times in 251 Posts	another consideration When I see some of the half A$$ tops out there I’m glad I had mine custom made. All hardware is stainless and locked into place. Top is made to withstand speeds of 45MPH. Try that with a top made using aluminum stock. Someone I know has a Chaparral, the top that came with the boat uses stainless poles and hardware but the poles still pivot. Poor design, no way you can attach a grill to it. Bottom line is sometimes you get what you pay for. Village Canvas did an excellent job on mine. __________________ "better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing, then a long life spent in a miserable way.."

02-07-2005, 06:08 PM	#10
Proline Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Boat cover Two words....Canvas Plus - in Melvin Village 603 544-3178. Ask for Rick. You won't be disappointed. Guarantees the stiching and no pooling water. Good luck.

02-04-2005, 09:02 AM	#2
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,253 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,455 Thanked 1,357 Times in 476 Posts	To get you started: Bimini Thread Good luck! RG

02-04-2005, 09:29 AM	#3
itchin for fishin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 105 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	Thanks RG. I did go through that entire thread. My thought was I had a little more give in a mooring cover over the bimini thus my new thread. Boatcovers.com did have two options for my boat, one was a "semi-custom" the other "custom." The Overton's mentioned in the bimini thread seemed to generic for my needs.

02-04-2005, 12:33 PM	#5
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,253 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,455 Thanked 1,357 Times in 476 Posts	itchin for fishin, I hope that I didn’t come across snooty, making you feel that should have searched before posting. That was not why I posted the link. There was just some possibly pertinent stuff to your situation. When I go to make a big purchase I try to look at all the angles. Drives my husband crazy! RG

02-04-2005, 01:59 PM	#6
Grady223 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hope, PA & Barndoor Island Posts: 465 Thanks: 93 Thanked 24 Times in 18 Posts	I have found Rollins Uphiolstery in Wolfeboro to be almost as reasonable as the mail order and if there's an issue he's right there. Take your boat there and he custom fits it so you know it'll be right. Besides, doesn't SeaRay have some kind of funky grommet set up that attaches the cover to the windsheild - does anyone do this except SeaRay?

02-04-2005, 04:42 PM	#7
itchin for fishin Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 105 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	RG, you can never come across as snooty! Itchin

02-22-2005, 07:56 PM	#11
Fun4us Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Connecticut /Alton Bay Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Boat cover I love my custom made cover. It fits the boat like a glove. Now worry about wind or puddling. I think it was the best single investment I made for the boat. And having it made by a local person you seem to get a better job. Oh yes and the price for a morring cover for a 27 foot boat was far less than mail order!

02-23-2005, 01:11 PM	#12
winnilaker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 95 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Also try Shorline Cover Works Ask for Doug, 603-455-5250. From his company info page;At Shorline Cover Works our focus is on serving recreation and industrial canvas and vinyl needs. Rapid turnaround through on site repair service, reducing your investments' exposure to the elements. Give us a call for that Spring canvas restitch. We cover what others don't. What about that bike, snowmobile seat, toolbox, welder?