Support your boat cover with a pole or PVC frame.

If your boat cover is not properly supported, it can sag in the middle after a heavy rain. You don’t want rain, leaves, dirt, and other debris to collect on your boat cover, since they can promote the growth of mold and mildew.

You have two options for a boat cover support: buy a boat cover support system or build your own.

TinBoats.net offers instructions on how to build a PVC boat cover frame. Building your own frame means you can customize the frame to fit your boat perfectly.

As long as you have the time and energy, building your own support frame is one of your best options for a sturdy, customized frame.

Here is what you’ll need to build your own boat cover support:

Materials:

• 3/4″ or 1″ PVC (available at most hardware stores)
• 3/4″ or 1″ PVC elbows, couplings, and tee’s (how many you need depends on the size of your boat)
• PVC glue
• Garden hose (to help form the arches)

Tools:

• Hacksaw
• Measuring tape

Ready to start? Follow these instructions by TinBoats.net.

Use all included straps to secure the boat cover.

Keep your fishing boat or speed boat protected with a boat cover. Winter weather, harsh sunlight, and rainy days can be hard on your boat’s finish and upholstery, but a quality boat cover will help prevent wear and tear from the environment.

Boat Cover Instructions

1. Cover any sharp points or edges on the boat (such as the corners of the windshield) with a cloth or a sponge to avoid rips or tears when the cover is strapped tightly across the boat.
2. Find the label with arrows sewn in the hem of the cover that indicates “Front.” Drape the front of the cover over the bow. Then roll the cover back over the boat and pull down the sides.
3. Connect and secure all tie down straps included with your boat cover.
4. Secure the tie down straps on the rear of the cover and secure the straps to the trailer frame.
5. After connecting all of the straps, cinch the straps down tight for a secure fit.

Trailering a Boat

If you are transporting your boat on a trailer or open vehicle, double check that all of the straps are tight and the ends are secured before taking off. Stop and check the straps again shortly after you get on the road. Then check the boat cover straps again each time you stop.

"The outside of the fabric was wet to the touch but the inside remained impenetrable to the moisture and the boat remained bone dry!"

Need a boat cover for the winter? Check out these customer reviews for the DuraShield Trailerable Fishing Boat Cover below.

“With the price being so low and free shipping, I had little expectations of this product. Shortly after it arrived we were hit with a very early snow storm and 8 inches of heavy wet snow came down on it. I held my breath after each passing hour of the storm, fearing this first test would be the cover’s last.

I woke the next morning to find that it had sagged a little bit from the weight of the snow but there were no tears in the cover or in the straps that are nicely stitched into it! I actually had to use a plastic shovel to remove the majority of the snow and then broomed off the rest. The outside of the fabric was wet to the touch but the inside remained impenetrable to the moisture and the boat remained bone dry! I was amazed!

My boat is a 16ft V-haul and even with my outboard still mounted on the transom, the cover accommodates the entire area including the motor with ease! I can’t say enough about my satisfaction of the quality of this product and how simple and quick it was to order it and receive it!”
- Sargeant V.

“Bought this to cover my Sunfish sailboat for winter storage. Not an exact fit, but plenty of loops to accommodate bungees and cords. No problem during short trailering trip.”
- C. L. S.

“Good product. Used on 15′ Old Town canoe with flat stern.”
- Chad S.

Use a boat cover support system to prevent sagging.

Want to get more life out of your boat cover? Treat it right with these boat cover care tips from DuraShield Covers.

Cleaning the Cover

The first step in caring for your boat cover is keeping it clean. If your boat cover is treated with special UV and weather resistant coatings, we recommend hand washing only. Clean the cover with a soft brush and lukewarm water.

If necessary, the cover may be machine washed in COLD water with NO SOAP; however, machine washing is harder on the fabric. Do not use soap or detergent, as these may remove the protective coatings added by the factory and/or void the manufacturer’s warranty. Line dry the cover if possible, or machine dry on the delicate or air only setting.

Storing the Cover

When it’s time to put your boat cover away for awhile, make sure it is clean and fully dry before storage. Brush off dirt and debris, wash the cover, and allow it to dry completely before folding or rolling the cover for storage. A mesh storage bag will keep your cover neatly folded while allowing it to breathe.

Boat Cover Support

To prevent the boat cover from sagging, we recommend using a boat cover support system. If the cover is unsupported, water can pool in the middle, which creates the perfect breeding grounds for mold and mildew.

A strap system, support pole, or support structure (such as a PVC frame) will allow rainwater to run off the cover without pooling. You can either buy a ready-made boat cover support system, or you can custom-build your own for a boat-specific fit.

Unlike cotton material, polyester boat covers do not support the growth of mildew.

Synthetic boat covers do not support the growth of mildew; however, any dirt, pollen, or grime that is allowed to build up on the cover creates a prime environment for mold and mildew. That’s why no matter how mildew-proof your boat cover is, you still need to keep it clean in order for the cover to do its job.

What Makes a Boat Cover Moldy?

Mold and mildew thrive under certain conditions: 1) something to feed on (dirt, pollen, leaves, etc.), 2) the right temperature range, 3) moisture, 4) darkness, and 5) no air flow. The more factors you can eliminate, the less likely you will have problems with mold and mildew.

Mildew-Resistant Boat Covers

A boat cover that resists mold and mildew will be synthetic (think polyester instead of cotton), water-resistant, and well vented. The right venting design allows moisture and condensation to evaporate and air to flow underneath the cover while keeping rain water out of the boat.

Mold and Mildew Prevention

Preventing the growth of mildew is easier than getting rid of it. One way to prevent mildew is to make sure the interior of your boat is clean and dry before installing the boat cover. Remove life jackets and removable seat cushions and let them dry in the sun. Any sun lotion, pollen, crumbs, or dirt left in the boat will attract mold, so clean the boat thoroughly. Then let it dry in the sun. Remove any trace of moisture or condensation before covering the boat.

Another prevention tip is to place packs of silica gel (or other moisture-absorbing packs) underneath the boat cover. The silica gel should absorb any moisture that forms inside the boat.

"Better than the more expensive one we purchased..." - Sarah G.

“My husband said he likes this boat cover and that it is good quality. He said it was better than the more expensive one we purchased at Walmart a few years back that finally fell apart. I like that the color is neutral enough that I haven’t even noticed that ol’ boat with its new cover.”
- Sarah G.

“For what this costs, it’s working great as a winter cover. It stays waterproof (it rains sometimes here in the northwest), keeps crud out (the boat is parked under a tree), and breathes enough not to mold.”
- NWGuy (Seattle, WA)

“Love the product and cannot beat the price. It fits my Gheenoe almost perfect when otherwise I would have had to special order one. Thanks so much!!”
- Cigi H.

Keep your cover from sagging with a boat cover support system.

Without proper support, your boat cover can collect pools of water and debris that cause the cover to sag. Over time, the extra weight and moisture buildup can ruin your cover. Here are a few ideas to keep your boat cover from sagging, protect your boat, and make your cover last longer.

1. Get a boat cover support pole.

A support pole is the cheapest way to prop up your boat cover. For larger boats, use several poles, placed strategically under the boat cover to prevent sagging and water pockets.

Some support poles include a venting system. These vented poles serve a double purpose by propping up the boat cover and providing extra ventilation to prevent moisture buildup underneath the cover.

2. Build a PVC support system.

If you’re the do-it-yourself type, building your own PVC boat cover support gives you a custom-designed, inexpensive support for your boat. Use at least 1.5″ thick PVC pipes for a sturdier system. Thinner PVC pipes can break under the weight of a heavy snowfall.

3. Get a strap system.

A strap system mounts to the four corners of your boat and connects at the center to a padded support pole. This type of system is especially useful for boats with large cockpits.

4. Get some bows and sockets.

A bow and socket system provides one of the most secure support systems for your cover. The sockets mount either to your rails or deck wall, and the wooden bows provide just enough arch to allow rain to roll off the cover. Nylon socket mounts require no mounting holes, so the support system is easily removed for boating season.

You can prolong the life of your boat cover with proper care and maintenance.

With proper care and maintenance, you can make your boat cover last longer. The better you take care of your boat cover, the better it will protect your boat. Here are some tips on caring for your boat cover.

Rain and Moisture

Don’t let water stand on the boat cover. Pools of standing water create a ripe environment for mold and mildew, which eats away at the cover material. Use a boat cover support system that allows the water to run off the cover, rather than collecting in pockets. The dirt in water and melted snow soils the cover and prevents it from protecting your boat as it was meant to do. The special coatings on your cover are designed to work best when the cover is clean and free of dirt and debris.

Snow

Don’t let snow build up on the cover. The weight of heavy snow on top of the cover can tear the material, and when it melts, it creates a pool of standing water, which creates more problems. Use a garage broom to brush snow off your boat cover after each snowfall.

Tie Downs

Make sure the boat cover is tied down securely, both for trailering and for outdoor storage. If the cover is too loose, the wind will loft the cover and whip it around, which can damage the cover and possibly your boat as well.

Padding

Add extra padding to any edges or wear spots on the boat, such as the windshield. If the cover is allowed to chafe against these abrasion points, the material will wear down quickly and eventually result in holes in your cover.

Cleaning

Clean the boat cover often to remove dirt, debris, salt, pollen, and other contaminants that could support the growth of mildew. Use a soft brush to remove loose dirt and debris. Wash the cover with lukewarm water. Do not use soap or detergent to clean the cover, as it could remove the protective coatings that repel water and UV rays.

Storage

Allow the boat cover to dry thoroughly before folding or rolling the cover for storage. A wet boat cover encourages the growth of mold and mildew.

"By far the nicest cover you could ask for at this price level." - L. B. Ayers

Trailerable Boat Cover Reviews

“By far the nicest cover you could ask for at this price level. I spent over $200 last year for one that wasn’t this nice.”
- L. B. Ayers

“Cover is made of great material, but still light weight. Does the job and covers my 19′ boat perfectly.”
- Jdawg

“This cover fits perfectly on my boat. It is as though I ordered a custom cover. It is an excellent cover made of good material for a fantastic price. It showed up at my doorstep just a few days after I ordered it.”
- J. Carlisle

“I installed it right after it arrived, fit like a glove. Thank you.”
- T. Stack

“Very good quality. Easy to cover the boat. Many tie downs for security. This should last many years!”
- C. Deignan

"Good cover for the price." - Spencer

Pontoon Cover Reviews

“Good cover for the price. This cover fit over my Playcraft 26 foot pontoon boat just fine including the bimini top when it was folded down. The front of my boat is kind of V shaped and the cover is straight on the end like a rectangle shape but it still worked. The tie downs hold the cover down well when the boat is on the trailer but I don’t think it can be used with the boat on the water without a lot of hassle. I looked at custom covers with price over $1000 and plenty of others off the shelf in the $300-500 range so this cover is pretty good for the price.”
- Spencer

“Great cover for the money. We purchased this cover for our Tracker Fishin’ Barge. Since it’s generic the fit isn’t great but we’ve found ways to make it work. Tracker doesn’t seem to think covers are a good money maker. That’s a whole other story. Don’t get me started! Too bad DuraShield doesn’t make boats.”
- T. Gordon “Flash”

This universal boat cover offers protection from rain, moisture, UV rays, and mildew.

Choosing a marine boat cover doesn’t have to be complicated. Just follow these three easy steps to find the right size and cover type for your boat.

1. Decide on the type of boat cover you need.

First, you need to decide between a trailerable, storage, or mooring cover. Each is designed specifically for the function it will perform.

Next, you need to decide what type of fit you want: universal, semi-custom, and custom. Universal, the most cost-effective choice, fits a range of boat sizes. Semi-custom fits specific boat types and sizes and gives a more custom fit for a slightly higher price tag. Custom is designed for your specific boat and accessories for a fit that’s just right, but it will cost you more than a universal or semi-custom boat cover.

Finally, you need to decide on the level of protection you want. Boat covers are available in different levels of breathability, thickness, UV protection, water resistance, mildew resistance, and other features.

2. Measure your boat.

Measure the boat’s centerline from bow to stern. Do not measure up and over the windshield. Instead, measure in a straight line.

Keep in mind that factors like swim decks, platforms, and other accessories that you want covered will affect the required length of the boat cover. If you want these accessories covered, measure your boat from the bow to the furthest point that extends out from the stern.

Next, measure the beam width at the widest point of the boat.



3. Use the boat measurements to help you find the right cover.

Even if the boat cover description states that it is designed to fit your boat type, always check the boat measurements against the cover measurements to ensure a proper fit.

Check the boat cover sizing chart, if provided, or check the boat cover description to find the length of the boat cover. Then check the max beam width to make sure the cover is wide enough to protect your boat.

Look for notes on sizing, such as “not for cabin/console boats” or “not for extra tall windshields,” that may apply to your boat.

Once you receive your boat cover, try it out on your boat to make sure it fits, and keep the purchase receipt and warranty information in case anything goes wrong in the future.