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Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | Looking at the higher end covers from Cabelas. Watched their short video. With a 16 foot Sylvan and a bow mounted Powerdrive, do I go for the 17 foot cover. They all seem to be 85 inches wide. Is that the boat width or width of the cover? I'd appreciate hearing suggestions from anyone with experience in this.
Thanks,
Don |
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Posts: 291
Location: Madison, WI | I just picked up a new boat from Cabelas and had them put their "highest" end cover on it. The cover I received was made by Dowco for Cabelas and it was a ratchet strap system. It had one strap on the front, one on each side in the middle and one on each end at the transom. There was also a strap that attached the two ends by the motor. It was also custom built to fit a 60" shafted Terrova.
One trip up to the Turtle Flambeau last week with the cover on for both legs of the trip (4 hours) and the report isnt promising for this one. Both back end straps had almost worn thru by rubbing on the back end of the boat where the bottom section of aluminum meets the transom aluminum, turns out thats sharper than I had ever thought. The cover also has two pole sections that only make the wind grab the front of the cover and "balloon" that bad boy up about 3-4 feet in the air going down the road, I stopped and took the poles out which helped some, but not much. It actually lifted the cover so much that the ends of the cover did not even sit on the edge of the boat, meaning there was a about a 5-6" gap between the end of the boat at the bottom of the cover, again, killer for some sweet gas mileage. Plus with the cover only having the two side straps and if "lifting" so much it put all that stress on those lonely little straps and granted they held, but its only a matter of time on them. The only way I could keep the cover from wanting to rise up off the boat in the front section was to ratchet that bad boy so #*^@ tight that there is no way they would advise that.
Long story short, took it back to Calelas and they took pictures of it to send to DowCo and I am awaiting word on it. The person I dealt with at Cabelas (who was very good to work with) said that I wasnt the only one who had complaints and it was an ongoing issue with those covers and Cabelas was looking into the problems.
This might not be the exact model but Im pretty sure this was their highest end cover. Buyer beware. |
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Posts: 87
Location: Red Wing, Minnesota | DJWilliams,
You may have already considered having a custom cover made for your boat. They are more expensive than what you are considering but something to consider is fitment of the cover and how long it will last. I have had two boats and have had custom covers made for each of them. The first cover included a trolling motor and main motor cover built into it. It had loops on the sides to secure it to the trailer. (Using bungy cords) With the two motor covers added on it fit well but there was some loose material to account for applying the cover to the boat. On my second boat, I went with a custom cover that just covered the boat itself and was secured with snaps. I put a quick release mount for my trolling motor on and when I trailer with the cover on I put the troller inside the boat. I had a separate cover made for the motor. I really like the tight streamlined fit of this cover. I was concerned initially with using snaps but I have not had any trouble with them in the seven years I've had this cover. Absolutely no loose material to catch wind and rip. I believe the cover was constructed of a material called "Topgun". Aside from keeping it clean I have had no issues with leakage or tearing to date.
Just something for you to consider.
Dave
Edited by Spallgard 6/14/2009 8:49 PM
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Posts: 360
Location: Tinley Park. Fish Cen IL. Bass & Vilas Cty.Muskie | I Got my cover this past Winter when Business was slow. I told the guy I was looking for extra material and max price of $300. He had the material(best) in my color.It took about 3 good boat cover places to find the right deal. 24 hours later during a 18 inch snow storm he said it was done. Iasked Can I keep it here to April? ? haha, I picked it up next day when I shoveled out a spot. $325 cash out the door. He was kinda upset telling me that it should have been a $500 price. I told him I would have gotten a cover from Cabelas for $169. I told him I had same deal from Tuffy's guy and all he did was save me a 100 mile ride. I told him we both did good. He smiled.
Edited by basscaster 6/14/2009 9:50 PM
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Posts: 87
Location: Red Wing, Minnesota | Wow, that's a steal on a custom!
Good Job.
Dave |
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Posts: 148
Location: Milwaukee, WI | My results are similar to Dave's! (Ah...misery loves company)
I too, had an expensive custom cover made with integrated trolling motor & outboard "pockets". Have attempted many different home remedies to keep the darn thing from catching air & turning into a mini-parachute. Have spent 8 seasons "tuning" it. This is an excellent hobby for a aerodynamics engineer, but not me.
So far, the best performance I've had is when I disconnect the trolling motor and stow it inside the boat. Tie the bow portion down tight to the gunwales so air cannot get under the cover at the bow.
When they flap in the wind, the hull paint and/or registration letters get rubbed off. Very disappointing!
Next time I get a cover, no pockets and the snaps sound like a good idea. |
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Posts: 389
Location: Corning, Iowa | I don't know if you are willing to travel, but, there's a place in Knoxville, Iowa that makes covers. Snaps, or ties. I've had ours for 5 years, and no problem. Doug |
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Posts: 232
Location: Sun Prairie, WI | Had mine made 12 years ago by Cindy Covers It in Eagle River , WI. Has trolling motor and engine cover built in, and has fit like a glove since day one. Still looks great and does the job 100 percent. |
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Posts: 158
Location: Burlington, WI | My advice would be to not travel with the cover on. Traveling with the cover on only causes problems as noted above. I never travel with the cover on because if I did I'd be buying a new cover.
Edited by The Wanderer 6/20/2009 11:58 AM
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Posts: 360
Location: Tinley Park. Fish Cen IL. Bass & Vilas Cty.Muskie | I also don't travel with cover on when I am driving down the highway. I found those cheap rachet straps (4/pack) with a 15 ft. strap help out alot. I only need 1 behind my windshield over my back deck. I hook them to the trailer. |
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Posts: 395
Location: NW WI | I've never trailered with the cover on either. Gas mileage seems to be lower with the cover on.....according to others. |
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