help with boat cover alteration to accomodate tower

[Imawreck]

Hey guys,
Could anyone post a few close ups of their boat cover installed around their tower? I have a 197 that will be getting a new dimension tower soon and need to have game plan for altering the cover to accomodate the tower. My current cover is a traditional MC cover with the double rachet at the very rear of the boat. I've got someone lined up who can do the alteration, but I want a clear understanding of what I should be asking him to do....or photos to show him.

Thanks in advance!

[Imawreck]

Anyone? Just a quick run into your garage to snap a few?

[mark g]

pics from prostar 197 ratchet cover not with the new dimension tower though but i'm sure same principle. first two are from front tower leg next are rear tower leg.

[Imawreck]

Thank you very much...very helpful. Question: Would you say those plastic disconnects are the way to go? I'm just thinking with the amount of tension I put on the cinch straps to tighen down for trailering (yes...I protect the boat from buffing with plastic wrap before trailering with cover)...I wonder if they will hold up or simply break?? Just curious of your opinion?

[mark g]

good question i only bought this boat late last year just got it out of storage, i dont plan to trailer the boat with the cover on so dont really know, they do appear strong though and as its factory i guess they tried out these things, I do know somebody with the same cover and he does trailer with the cover on and had no problems but that is with a new boat.
maybe somebody with experiance with the conectors on an older boat cover may have a better idea.

[hos505]

I trailer my 03 TT 197 with the cover on and mine has the same plastic connectors for the tower cutouts. Most of the roads I trailer on are connector type roads with 50 mph max speed, if you're towing on the highway at 70 mph it may be different story.

[skijwr]

Here are pics of the older style MC cover on a 2002 X7 / 197. New Dimension tower. Uses rope style tensioner.
Hope this helps.

[skijwr]

more pics 2002 X7 / 197 cover.

[Imawreck]

Thanks guys for taking the time. Ultimately, I think I'll end up with a slight combination of both styles above. My tower is like the second set of photos, but my cover is like the first. So...cover will ultimately get converted like the top set of photos with the clip style fastener, around the old school type tower.

I appreciate you both taking the time...I believe I have enough photos to send to the guy whos going to do the work...now, if I just knew where I could easily pick up four sets of those plastic disconnects. I know Gander Mtn has them, but don't know their quality relative to what MC uses in their covers. Ultimately, I don't want to have to replace what I get first go round.

[Thrall]

Those Fastex (I think) buckles will hold fine. MC doesn't use anything special. Any upholstery/awning shop will have the webbing and buckles. The only trick is finding a person/shop that doesn't want half as much as the cover costs to cut 4 holes and sew in some banding and velcro.