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.

"Looks and feels just like the original cover for the boat—just MUCH better price!!" - Nicole A.

“This cover was a great fit on my RXL 28′ Benington pontoon. Delivery was quick. This was a great price on this cover. Very happy with the whole transaction and product.”

- Qweido

“Easy to install. Fits great with extra eyelets in front to secure for trailering. Straps go completely under the boat, and a simple toss from one side to the other avoids having to climb underneath.”

- Scott C.

“My boat cover arrived on time without issue. It has been very rainy where I live, so haven’t been able to cover boat yet, but the material of cover looks & feels just like the original cover for the boat—just MUCH better price!!”

- Nicole A.

“After reading the reviews, I expected this to be much more difficult to install. I’m in my early thirties and pretty active. This was not a problem to install on my 18 foot pontoon. I also read about the rain pools and was worried about the Midwest winter snow months. My solution was to build a skeleton of PVC pipe underneath to keep the cover tented. So far that is working well. We will see how this holds up over time…”

- Joshua Green

"For the price, this cover is hard to beat." - J. Conover

A pontoon cover protects your boat from sun, rain, dirt, bird droppings, and everything else nature can throw at it. Check out these reviews for the DuraShield pontoon boat cover by a few of our customers.

Pontoon Cover Reviews

“This is not an easy product to buy on the Internet. The quality of this product is excellent and well made. I was nervous about buying this product, but I took a chance. I highly recommend this product.”
- Larry Koester

“Awesome product…love that after researching covers, this price, along with the quality, was without a doubt unbeatable.”
- Christina P.

“I have a 2010 Sun Tracker Fishin’ Barge 21′ pontoon boat. I needed a cover for it, and this cover is by far the least expensive one I have seen. The fit is not like shown in the picture for my boat, as it barely covers halfway down the walls on both sides. Also the motor is not covered at all. The back and front also have a lot of play even when strapped down, so I find leaves and whatnot blown in when covered. It is not a perfect fit but definitely covers it enough for the price. I bought an inexpensive cover for the top cowl of the motor at academy, and the two keep my boat mostly clean when not used for a while. For the price, this cover is hard to beat.”
- J. Conover

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.

Secure your pontoon cover tightly for trailering.

If you want to protect the value of your pontoon boat and keep it looking good for years to come, we recommend investing in a pontoon boat cover to prevent weather damage and dirt buildup.

Getting a Secure Fit

In order to get the most secure fit for your pontoon cover, find a cover that fits your boat as closely as possible. You don’t need to spend hundreds on a custom cover, but the fit should be close enough to prevent excessive sagging or wind lofting. Universal pontoon covers are usually available in more than one size. Choose the size that most closely fits the dimensions of your pontoon.

Securing the Cover for Trailering

Once your cover is on the pontoon, secure it with the straps provided. Add extra tie downs if needed. Tying down the cover is especially important if you will be trailering your boat. Don’t allow the cover to flap in the wind. This causes excessive wear and tear on the cover, and it could even cause the cover to come loose and fly off during travel. The tie downs for trailering should be secure, and there should be enough tie downs to keep the cover tightly in place.

Securing the Cover for Storage

Even if you are just storing your pontoon and not trailering, the tie downs should still be secure in case of heavy rain or strong wind gusts. Because of the large deck space on a pontoon, sagging is likely to occur without support poles to hold the cover in place. Most likely you will need more than one support pole to prevent sagging.

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.

Getting the right size boat cover is important for a secure fit.

Finding the right size boat cover is important for a secure fit. Our trailerable boat covers come with an elastic hem that fits snugly underneath the boat deck. There are no snaps or metal parts that could mar the boat’s finish.

Measuring Your Boat

Use a measuring tape to get the right dimensions for your boat and find the right size boat cover.

To find the centerline length, measure the distance from bow to stern in a horizontal line. Do not measure up and over windshields or other objects.

To find the beam width, measure the distance from side to side at the widest part of the boat. Include the rub rail in your measurement.

Getting the Right Fit

If your boat has rails taller than 6 inches or a trolling motor that you want covered, add a foot to the centerline length. If you have a platform, swim deck, or other extension on your boat that you want covered, add their length to the centerline dimension.

Universal boat covers are made to fit boats within a certain length range. Although you might not get a perfect fit, the elastic hem and tie down straps will secure the cover to the boat and keep it from flapping wildly in the wind.

How to measure for a boat cover

Looking for a high quality boat cover at an affordable price? See what our customers have to say about DuraShield trailerable boat covers and pontoon covers.

"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”

Keep your pontoon cover clean and free of snow, dirt, and leaves.

Your pontoon cover will provide the most protection if it is kept clean and free of debris, leaves, and snow. The protective coatings on the cover are designed to work best when they are clean and clear of obstruction.

Dirt and other elements tend to eat away at the special UV and weather resistant coatings, destroying their effectiveness. Dirt, snow, and leaves can also clog up the pores and vents in the fabric, trapping moisture inside.

To allow the cover to do its work in protecting your pontoon, you should keep the cover clean and free of debris.

Cleaning the Cover

Your pontoon cover may be treated with special UV and weather resistant coatings. If so, we recommend that the cover be cleaned with a soft brush and lukewarm water only. The cover may be machine washed in COLD water with NO SOAP. The use of soap or detergent may remove the protective coatings added by the factory and may void the manufacturer’s warranty. The cover should be line dried but may also be machine dried on a delicate or air only setting.

Brushing Off Snow and Leaves

In the fall and winter months, keep the pontoon cover free of leaves and snow. Use a push broom to clear the leaves and snow off of the cover. Every time you clear the driveway and sidewalks after a snowfall, make it a habit to brush off the pontoon cover as well.

Storing the Cover

Some manufacturers, including DuraShield, include a storage bag with their cover. Prior to storing the cover, make sure it is completely dry and free of any large debris.

Pontoon Boat Cover Installation Diagram

The following instructions are designed specifically for the DuraShield Pontoon Cover, but they apply universally to many other covers on the market. See your owners manual for more detailed instructions.

1. Cover any sharp points or edges on the pontoon with a cloth or sponge to avoid rips or tears when the cover is strapped tightly across the pontoon.
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2. Find the yellow label with arrows sewn into the hem of the cover that indicates “Front.” Drape the front of the cover over the bow. Then roll the cover back over the pontoon and pull down the sides.
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Pontoon cover strap system

3. Use tie down straps to secure the cover to the boat. Each tie down system works differently. The following instructions apply specifically to the DuraShield Pontoon Cover tie down system, which includes eight tie down straps with quick-release buckles.
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4. Connect four straps (A) to the four lower buckles (C) on one side of the cover and run the straps underneath the trailer beam to the other side of the pontoon. Connect the other end of the straps into the lower buckles (C) on the other side of the cover.
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5. Connect four straps (B) to the four upper buckles (D) on one side of the cover and run the straps over the top of the cover. Connect these straps to the upper buckles (D) on the other side of the cover.
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6. After connecting all of the straps, cinch the straps down tight for a secure fit.

Be sure to use, tighten, and secure all straps and hooks when transporting your pontoon on a trailer or open vehicle. Failure to do this may cause the cover to blow off and cause injury to others. It may also result in damage to the cover.

After driving a short distance, stop and check to make sure the pontoon and cover are secure. Tighten the straps as needed. Continue to check the pontoon and cover at all rest stops along the way. We recommend the use of additional tie downs for high speed travel.