Boat Covers Compared

The Importance of Using a Quality Boat Cover

Selecting Quality Boat Covers (Buyer’s Guide)

Boat Dimensions & Size

No-one wants the hassle of returning a too-small boat cover. Make sure that you carefully measure the length and width of your boat, remembering to take the highest points into account. Once you have these measurements, consider adding an extra inch or two to take other equipment or accessories into account if necessary.

Boat Style

What boat model do you have? It is possible to find a boat cover that is specifically designed for that model. If not, then make sure to measure your boat carefully to find that perfect fit. Please bear in mind that you may need to buy a separate cover for your motor or other accessories.

Cover Material

Typically, most boat covers are made of woven polyester or acrylic canvas. When searching for your boat cover, it is essential to ensure that the material is heavy-duty, UV and waterproof or resistant and marine-grade. If your boat cover is 600 denier or over, then it will most likely be a good fit.

Durability

The water can be a rough place to be; not only do you need to consider the waves and the wind, but storms and natural debris are also a concern. Your boat cover needs to be tough enough to survive rough storms and wild seas. Find boat covers that are urethane coated and mildew resistant for long-lasting coverage.

Buckle/Strap System

No-one wants to spend hours trying to work with confusing straps. Luckily, many modern boat covers come with a simple and easy to adjust strap systems that have quick-release buckles for a smooth and easy installation and remove process. Simply throw the cover on, adjust the straps, and click the buckles into place.

Ease of Use

If a product is unnecessarily complicated, then you will not use it. Make sure to get your money’s worth by finding a boat cover that is light enough to carry and move, simple to care for and install, and with useful features that will make your life easier. Read customer reviews of your desired product for a good idea of how easy to use the boat cover is.

Extras

Depending on your boat model, you will need a variety of different features to protect your prized boat and extend its life. Some extras that you may need include a support pole, tailoring straps, air vents, double seams, and a storage bag. Read the product description carefully and consider if these features are useful and right for your lifestyle.

Price & Warranty

It is possible to get a boat cover for anywhere between $30 and $5000; because of this, it is worth setting your own personal budget and finding one you prefer within that budget. If you like a model that is outside of your price range, you could wait and pick it up on sale.

In terms of the warranty, boat covers can be covered for one to ten years on average, so make sure to read the fine print to know what is covered and for how long.     

1. MSC Heavy-duty 600D

Our top pick for best boat cover, the  MSC Heavy-duty 600D is a great choice for marine enthusiasts. Designed to fit V-hull, tri-hull, and runabout boats, this 600 denier polyester cover is available in a variety of sizes and colors to suit your needs. Quick-release buckles and integrated adjustable straps are there to secure the woven canvas to your vessel in a secure and non-damaging manner.

Customer reviews praise the excellent quality and the packaging that you get for an affordable price. It is worth bearing in mind that this canvas is water-resistant but not completely waterproof. This model also does not come with a support pole, but MSC does recommend using one to avoid water buildup or damage over time. This double PU coating is easy to use and maintain, requiring some light spot cleans and general inspections while the two-year limited warranty has you covered for other damage. 

For those who have pale or white goods or seats on their vessel, some customers have noted that the color can transfer onto white goods, so consider wrapping those separately or getting the beige canvas. Overall, we love the quality and price of the MSC Heavy-duty 600D and recommend picking one up for yourself.

2.Classic Accessories StormPro

Our runner up for best boat cover, the Classic Accessories StormPro is another excellent option for marine fans. Made of PVC polyester, this canvas boat cover has an easy to use quick-release buckles and integrated strap system and comes with a support pole and storage bag to make storing and trailering your boat a breeze.

There are a wide variety of sizes to fit your vessel that are all UV, water, and mildew resistant; an extended warranty has you covered should anything happen. An elastic hem keeps debris and rain from slipping under, and the straps are adjustable without being damaging. Built-in stiffening parts ensure that your canvas is stable and secure in the wildest weather.

While this canvas is water-resistant, it is not entirely waterproof, so please bear this in mind when setting it up. Another point of note in customer reviews is that some people think that the support pole could be more durable – consider either reinforcing it or getting another few to help prevent water pooling. Overall, we love the long warranty and variety of sizes but may suggest getting a completely waterproof canvas if rough weather is a regular part of your life.

3. Leader Accessories 600D

The best waterproof boat cover on this list, the Leader Accessories 600D is a 600 denier polyester canvas boat cover that comes with a wide variety of colors and sizes to fit your tastes and needs and has plenty of different buckles and integrated straps to help keep it secure.

This marine-grade boat cover has double stitched seams help prevent premature fraying or tearing and an elastic cord hem to protect your undersides from unwelcome dirt or dust. Dual rear air vents keep a healthy airflow over your vessel without letting debris or animals inside your vessel while it is moored or in storage.

The Leader Accessories 600D boat cover is perfect for storing your boat indoors, mooring it on the water, or trailering it to your next adventure. Available for a reasonable and affordable price, this waterproof boat cover is a great fit for many boats of various sizes and styles. Still, you need to buy support poles separately.

Some customer reviews do note that the written instructions for use could be clearer and recommend looking at Leader Accessories tutorial videos for a clearer idea of what you need to do in order to set up your canvas.

4. Classic Accessories StormPro Heavy-Duty

Do you typically store your boat in the great outdoors? The Classic Accessories StormPro Heavy-Duty is perfect for you. Everything you need to use and setup is included in your purchase, including a storage bag, support pole, and tailoring straps. Available in a range of sizes, the Classic Accessories StormPro Heavy-Duty boat cover is designed for roofless center console boats that are often stored outside.

The dual vents keep a healthy airflow going while the elastic hem keeps out unwanted visitors and items out of your vessel. Quick-release buckles and adjustable straps keep your canvas boat cover secure in high winds and rough weather and can protect your vessel while trailering.

It is worth noting that this canvas is water-resistant rather than waterproof, so please bear this in mind before purchase and during setup. Remember that this is not a universal boat cover and is designed specifically for center console roofless vessels only.

Overall, we do wish that this product came in a wider variety of colors but love its size range and lengthy warranty. If your vessel needs protection from the outside world, then do consider picking up the Classic Accessories StormPro Heavy-Duty boat canvas.

5. Classic Accessories Stellex

6. Budge B-621-X6

For t-top boat owners, the search for the perfect boat cover is over. The Budge B-621-X6 is specifically designed to protect t-top vessels both indoors and outdoors. Available in two colors and a variety of sizes and types, this particular cover has the longest warranty on our list, which lasts for 10 years.

This 600 denier UV protected waterproof boat cover is breathable and has both taped seams and sewn in straps at both the top and bottom of the canvas for completely secure and durable installation.

A quick-release buckle and integrated strap system is adjustable and able to sit along the walls of your vessel snugly. One of the best t-top boat covers on the market; this canvas provides marine-grade protection no matter when and where you use it but is best for trailering and short term storage rather than more extended storage periods. 

While we love the extra features and long term warranty of this particular model, we do hope that a wider variety of color options become available in the near future. If your t-top vessel needs a new boat cover, do not hesitate to pick up this affordable and high-quality boat cover.

7. iCOVER 150D

Are you looking for a boat cover on a budget? The Icover 150D is the best budget boat cover on our radar. The 150D comes in five different colors and is made of a strong woven polyester canvas that is cut extra roomy to accommodate your accessories and other items inside your vessel. Labeled as a number one bestseller on Amazon, the 150D is completely waterproof and has reinforced panels to keep it sturdy during strong weather or winds.

This boat cover is both tear and UV resistant and has dual air vents to prevent damp buildup. Double stitch seams help to prevent premature wear and tear. Adjustable tie-down straps and easy to use buckles keep the canvas close to your vessel. A storage bag is included, but unfortunately, you need to buy a support pole separately.

The wide variety of sizes are all covered by the 12-month warranty, which can be a big help in case of any accidents or issues. Overall, we think that this is a great option for adventurers on a budget that want to protect their boat without shelling out a king's ransom.

8. Seamander Trailerable

For those who love to take their boat on the road as well as the water, the Seamander Trailerable is an excellent piece of equipment that protects your vessel as your travel. There is a wide range of color options and sizes to choose from, and an anti-moisture mesh bag, as well as all of the necessary straps, are included.

This good quality polyester boat cover is easy to use and maintain, requiring a simple spot clean with warm water. In terms of denier, the Seamander Trailerable is made of 600 denier and marine-grade material that is reinforced with a sewn-in elastic hem that helps keep unwanted debris out of your vessel. A two-year warranty has you covered in case of any issues while using the covers.

While we love these features, some customer reviews do note that the color can fade over time; this is not unusual in the world of boat covers; the level of fade depends on a wide variety of factors including the weather, where you store your vessel, the color, material, and more. Overall, we think that this is an excellent option for mariners on the move and love the extra features and quality of the Seamander Trailerable.

9. Icover Pontoon

Our pick for the best pontoon boat cover, the Icover Pontoon Boat Cover is a grey polyester boat cover that comes in a range of sizes and is a decent weight without being hard to handle. Tie-down adjustable straps and quick-release buckles secure the 300 denier PU coated marine-grade canvas; this canvas has quality three in one technology that repels water and mildew.

The ICOVER Pontoon Boat Cover is cut with extra room for your accessories and other items on the boat. A heavy-duty elastic cord keeps debris and animals out of your boat, and adjustable flaps increase security and cover on the stern. This cover covers your tie-down areas and works whether you use it for trailering, mooring, or storage.

It is worth bearing in mind that this cover does not come with a support pole and that it is water repellent, not waterproof. If you are on the lookout for a new support pole, we would recommend picking up this model for this particular boat cover. As with other models on this list, we wish that this boat cover was waterproof and that it came in a wider variety of colors.

10. Pyle Inflatable

Typical boats are not the only marine vessels that require protection; inflatable boats also need protection from the elements. Pyle’s Inflatable Boat Cover is our top pick for the best inflatable boat cover on the market.

This lightweight 600 denier polyester boat cover is marine-grade and mildew, UV, and weather resistant. Double-stitched seams are designed to prevent any wear and tear along the edges of the boat cover, and a travel bag is included in your purchase for when the canvas is not in use. Quick-release buckles and adjustable straps keep the boat cover close to your vessel even in harsh weather or when driving.

Unlike with other models on this list, the Pyle Inflatable Boat Cover is universal, meaning that it will be a good fit for most inflatable boat models. That being said, it is worth remembering that there is no support pole included in your purchase due to concern over damaging your inflatable boat and that this cover is designed specifically for inflatable boats.

If you have a standard vessel, consider purchasing some of the models discussed above. This boat cover is easy to clean as well as use – simply rub gentle circles into the stained area with a soft brush covered in warm water.

How to Properly Size a Boat Cover

Before you can purchase a boat cover, you need to know what size cover you will need. To do this, you will need to measure the length and width of the beam carefully.

This means measuring from a few inches under the tip of your vessel to a few inches down the tip of the other side, making sure to account for the highest points to get the length and doing the same to the widest parts of the sides. Once this is done, we recommend adding a little more space to those measurements to accommodate for extra accessories.

Boat Care & Maintenance Tips

You want your vessel to last as long as possible; the key to a long life is regular cleaning and maintenance. At its most basic, boat care and maintenance involves regularly cleaning, lubricating, inspecting, and buffing each part of your vessel. Parts that need regular maintenance include:

Inspecting these parts multiple times a month and replacing and repairing these parts is essential. Your vessel’s manual will have details regarding how to replace or maintain more specific areas of your boat.

Maintaining your boat cover

Just like the rest of your boat, your boat cover also needs regular love and care. Typically, most boat covers require a quick brush off of debris and a spot clean of warm water and a soft brush. The boat cover’s product description or manual will have further details if necessary.

Regarding boat cover repairs, the most common issues for boat covers are frayed edges and rips, both of which can be repaired by either resewing the area or gluing and sewing a new patch onto the affected area.

People Also Ask (FAQs)

What is the best denier for a boat cover?

The best denier for a boat cover depends on your needs, but we would recommend picking one with a denier between 300 and 1200.

How do I put on a boat cover?

While some boat covers need specific instructions, you most often carefully put the cover over the top of your boat, tightening the straps and clipping the buckles. Make sure that the straps are secure without damaging your vessel.

What color boat cover is best?

The best boat cover color depends on the color of your boat and your personal preferences. Most boat covers come in black, grey, green, and blue.

Who makes the best custom boat covers?

While there are a variety of custom boat cover makers both in your local area and online, we would recommend reading customer reviews and booking a free consultation to see which company is best for you.

Can I just use a tarp to cover my boat?

While it is possible to use a simple tarp, a tarp may not be as effective at repelling water, debris, and animals as a specially designed boat cover would be.

How long does a boat cover last?

The life of a boat cover depends on its material and how well it is cared for. The Cover's warranty is a good indicator, but this can be extended with regular care.

Where can I buy these boat covers?

It is possible to buy a boat cover locally and online, but we would recommend purchasing one from Amazon due to its wealth of customer reviews, great prices, and fast delivery

What are the best boat seat, boat Fenders, and boat mooring covers?

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