Towable Cover

[sully]

Does anyone have the towable cover? Is it good for mooring and keeping the rain out? Any opinions welcome.

Thanks

[skitilldark]

Does anyone have the towable cover? Is it good for mooring and keeping the rain out? Any oppions welcome.

Thanks

I pretty much just use the standard cover, but I really torque it all down and tightly wrap the straps so they won't flap into(and scratch) the boat. I have also used the snap-on full tonneau cover to trailer as well. As long as you put the rods inside to keep it tight, I've never had any problems. Where we ski I have to pull through this really awful section on the highway of coal dust, so I am a feind for trailering with the cover on.

[tex]

There is no such thing as a towable cover.

[Tom023]

As long as you get one that fits tight, especially around the rub rail, towing with a cover possible without any damage. I had a custom cover made 5 years ago and have yet to find any rub marks or scratches from the cover. I get absolutely no flapping when towing and it keeps the road grime out. I have a few pics of my cover. I seldom tow without it.

[tex]

I just would not risk it.. I have seen too may swirl scatches on boats..esp. new ones.

[Leroy]

It seems like you are one small mistake from having a rub burn. I went couple years with nothing and then got minor rub, and again, and now never tow with cover.

[Todd '04_PS197]

I tow with my factory cover and have no problems with it. Most of my towing is on the interstate at 65 mph plus too. Although, my cover has the single ratchet in the back to tighten it down. I'd think twice about towing with the cover if it had straps hanging all over it.

[Mag_Red]

I have the cover with the racket on the back and it scares me to tow with it on. Seems like it wants to ride up above the rub rail right around the windshield frame. Never tow with it anymore.........I'd rather the boat get wet. :wavey:

[stennes]

I have a Rankin cover and love it, their designed to be towed. They do take time to put on and take off but worth the hassel. I use the factory one for mooring. :toast:

[erkoehler]

No cover while towing for me.

[SteveO]

I have towed a few times for short distance, with out incedent. Lets' throw in a treadjack. Who uses tie downs? What weight rating?

[TRBenj]

I have a Rankin cover and love it, their designed to be towed. They do take time to put on and take off but worth the hassel. I use the factory one for mooring. :toast:

I have heard great things about these covers. Many of the guys over at MBO are very happy with them. They certainly aren't cheap, but seem to be the best cover out there- and the only one that I have heard of that is trailerable. Theres one on my wish list!

[AirJunky]

This is the only group I've seen that insists on not towing with a cover. The factory cover maybe. But a good towable cover like the Rankin is fine for towing at any speed. I know tons of people here in the NW who use one & your boat will be fine. Towing over any of our mountain passes without one is insane. The boat will be filthy black inside & out by the time you get over it. You'd be cleaning the dash with a toothbrush to get it clean again.

http://www.wakeside.com/page/W/PROD/boat_biminis_covers/rankin_boat_cover

[ecelis]

I towed our X-Star (x2/x1) from Texas to Florida last summer with the factory cover on. No problem, no traces on the gelcoat.
We had rain of and on most of the way down here, it was the only way to keep the boat clean.

[skitilldark]

I've been towing with both types of covers every weekend in the summer for the past 6 years. Never a problem. Except the one time I thought it was too big of a hassle and left it off. Went through a thunderstorm and ended up with black seats from road grime. I'll never do that again. If you batten everything down for the ride, you'll never have a problem.

[Todd '04_PS197]

I have the cover with the racket on the back and it scares me to tow with it on. Seems like it wants to ride up above the rub rail right around the windshield frame. Never tow with it anymore.........I'd rather the boat get wet. :wavey:

The first couple times I pulled the boat I had the same problem. Although, the cover came with tabs around the area of the sides of the windshield that have velcro on them. I placed the one side of the velcro under the rub rail and make sure the velcro on the cover is secured to it before I travel now. I haven't had to worry about the cover since. I wasn't crazy about putting the velcro under the rub rail but I really don't notice it.

[sully]

I guess I should rephase my question:
Is the towable cover (as it is called in the options section in the Mastercraft brochure) pretty good for mooring? I'm not worried about trailering, we typically do use a cover when trailering.

We typically rent a cabin every summer and the boat will stay in the water the entire time, so it is susceptible to the weather.

Thanks again.

[Mag_Red]

I guess I should rephase my question:
Is the towable cover (as it is called in the options section in the Mastercraft brochure) pretty good for mooring? I'm not worried about trailering, we typically do use a cover when trailering.

We typically rent a cabin every summer and the boat will stay in the water the entire time, so it is susceptible to the weather.

Thanks again.It's great for mooring! Keeps the dew out of the boat.

[Thrall]

I have an Overton's cover, Sharkskin I think. Was about $200. It trailers very well, and would make a good mooring cover if I built a couple props for under neath it. I don't generally trailer w/it, as it takes about 15-20 min to get it all strapped down. I have taken a couple long road trips in foul weather and it has not scuffed or scratched the boat.

[rick s.]

we use a towing cover all the time without any problems. Typically the drives are 2 hours to the lakes from where we live. The cover has a cinch rope to prevent air from going under the cover plus three straps on each side which go to the trailer to help hold it down. Twists in the trailer straps stop them from vibrating.

Never a problem with the towing cover that hasn't been self-induced.

[agua4fun]

I guess I should rephase my question:
Is the towable cover (as it is called in the options section in the Mastercraft brochure) pretty good for mooring? I'm not worried about trailering, we typically do use a cover when trailering.

We typically rent a cabin every summer and the boat will stay in the water the entire time, so it is susceptible to the weather.

Thanks again.

My '01 190 cover is a trailer cover (has straps that allow it to be laced to the trailer). In a heavy rainstorm, because i cant draw it tight enough without a trailer to pull down, the rear area will slowly collect water, until finaly it runs inside. I have found that hanging a milk jug of water on each side near the back, keeps it pulled down.

[jjsosnowski]

I have also been thinking about getting a snap on mooring cover.Anyone know what mc charges for a snap on mooring cover for an 03 190. How much do most dealers charge to install snaps? any feed back would be helpful.

[TMCNo1]

My '01 190 cover is a trailer cover (has straps that allow it to be laced to the trailer). In a heavy rainstorm, because i cant draw it tight enough without a trailer to pull down, the rear area will slowly collect water, until finaly it runs inside. I have found that hanging a milk jug of water on each side near the back, keeps it pulled down.


Dude, do you by any chance have a cover pole or two or do you have a towable tube or two laying around on the dock, if so just put a tube standing up in the back seat or on the motor cover or up in the bow to make the cover a tent so the water will drain off. If not make you some cover poles from 1/2' electrical conduit or pvc pipe with crutch tips on the ends for a quick and cheap fix.

[AirJunky]

My '01 190 cover is a trailer cover (has straps that allow it to be laced to the trailer). In a heavy rainstorm, because i cant draw it tight enough without a trailer to pull down, the rear area will slowly collect water, until finaly it runs inside. I have found that hanging a milk jug of water on each side near the back, keeps it pulled down.
You have to use the 3 support poles on that factory cover. Isn't there snaps on the bottom of the cover?

I have also been thinking about getting a snap on mooring cover.Anyone know what mc charges for a snap on mooring cover for an 03 190. How much do most dealers charge to install snaps? any feed back would be helpful.
I have the front & rear tonneau covers for my 205.... they were done by the previous owner. The covers themselves are nice & tight, even trailer pretty well. But the snaps all over the fiberglass & the windshield not only look like he11 but the gelcoat has cracked under a few of them. If you plan on keeping the boat for a while, don't waste your money.
Another thing I don't like about them is they don't cover the various vents in the boat at all. I keep the boat on the dock in the summer & the bugs get inside the boat when I use that type of cover. The type that goes down over the gunnels & covers all the vents don't allow any bugs to get inside at all. Plus the dark color cover causes the inside of the boat to get too warm for anything to live.
I for one will never buy another boat that has these snaps installed.

[agua4fun]

[QUOTE=AirJunky]You have to use the 3 support poles on that factory cover. Isn't there snaps on the bottom of the cover? QUOTE]

I have 2 poles, one by the pylon, and one right behind the engine cover. Definitly no snaps.

The problem is if i keep the poles long, for maximum runoff angle, the edge of the cover comes up over the side a bit when tightened. then the water runs right in.

If i keep the poles shorter so the cover fits below the rub rail, there isnt enough slope to get the water off, and it pools untill it pulls the edge in and empties in the boat. Ive tried MANY lengths, and either way it never seems to go right.

good idea with the tube, i knew they were good for something ;)
thanks for the tips

[agua4fun]

oh yeah, AirJunky, i think you know my uncle Dr Dave. he mentioned that to me a while back when i mentioned this forum.

[stennes]

I just towed home my new to me X30 (Newer X30) and it had the factory cover and right now I'm ordering up a new Rankin, those covers are a heck of lot better. When its set its stays, My opinion of the stocker is mooring cover use only. Yes they are that much better.

[maristarman]

$945 dollars for a Rankin Cover for my boat?

:eek3:

Let me say that again.

$945.

:eek3:

For a boat cover.

:eek3:

What in the world makes the cover worth this much money?

[stennes]

I agree but after having one and using the factory cover when I have to travel some distance I dont want to use the factory again. Rankins are made to tow factorys are made for mooring.

[AirJunky]

$945 dollars for a Rankin Cover for my boat?
Ever towed your boat over Grants Pass? Or Snowqualamie Pass? Or Stevens Pass? Or Lookout Pass? Or 4th of July Pass? If you towed over any kind of mountain passes without a cover, even on the best of days, the boat would be filthy inside & out. Not to mention pitted glass, all your dash electronics, etc.
I paid over $600 for a cover that is supposedly a trailerable cover. It's OK & works for lower speeds. But the Rankin is good for any freeway speeds.

Hey Aqua4fun.... your uncle is a riot! We've had a few good times together & I hope to have many more.

[vogelm1]

The "towable cover" offered by MC will work just fine for mooring...I use it to keep the seats dry (dew free) overnight. If it looks like rain, I'll use the 'tent pole' set up that came with the cover. Otherwise, it goes on every evening for the weekends and such we're at the cabin.

For that matter I do tow with it as well and have had no problems long as the velcro near the windshield is stuck down TIGHT, and the rear rachet is real snug.