Florida Sport Fishing - Total defense!

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Total defense!

Written by Tim McDaniel

Covers Inc AS SEEN IN THE NOV/DEC 2006 ISSUE

Protect your prized possession from Mother Nature's harmful effects.

For the vast majority of sport fishing enthusiasts, the purchase of a brand new boat will likely be the second largest investment they ever make.

And while today's technologically-advanced fiberglass boats are designed and manufactured to repel nature's harsh elements far better than ever before, they're still not oblivious to the fading effects of the sun's destructive ultraviolet rays. Even with the elimination of wood products in favor of non-corroding composite materials which have nearly eliminated water damage such as rot ever occurring inside of the boat, the battle against Mother Nature rages on, and it is one that we cannot win.

For Florida boaters, the best defense against the never-ending sunshine is still a custom-fitted mooring cover. It really is the only way to protect your prized possession from stem to stern when it is not in use. Not only does a mooring cover defend against the sun's deteriorating effects, it also safeguards the entire interior of the vessel and all of its compartments from saturation. That means no mildew. For the first time, dry-storage will really be dry storage. In addition, if the boat is on a trailer, seagull droppings and dark colored berries can wreak havoc on the interior of a shiny new boat.

Quality mooring covers can be applied to any style boat and tailor-fit to protect vessels of any size or shape. It is imperative that the mooring cover be custom fitted for the specific year, make, and model of your particular boat, and we'll talk more about that in a moment. In the meantime, boat owners need to know that most of today's marine canvases are manufactured from waterproof or water-repellent synthetic fabric sewn with UV-resistant thread. Cotton fabric is subject to bacterial degradation and substantial loss of strength at a rapid pace.

After nearly four decades in the marine canvas industry, I've learned that Aqualon, Dockside, Top Gun, and Odyssey are popular in certain regions and are rated at approximately 6.75 oz. to 10.5 oz. polyester with a vinyl waterproof coating on one or both sides. This variety of fabric is available in 25 different colors. While they are, in fact, strong and durable, the color may start to wash off and the fabric may eventually look like stone washed blue jeans well before the end of its service life. Canvas mooring covers manufactured with these materials also require the addition of vents to help residual moisture escape. Feedback from South Florida boaters, tells me single-sided vinyl coated covers are somewhat less appealing due to the intense sunlight experienced year-round.

Double-coated Stamoid and Aquatex have a vinyl coating on each side of a nylon woven fabric. These fabrics are also very strong and durable, but may experience moisture condensation problems and therefore are not really suitable for long-term mooring covers.

The best class of marine fabric is a breathable acrylic and polyester canvas. The leading brand in this class is Sunbrella, available in nearly 50 different colors. Maybe you've heard the name. Sunbrella is a solution-dyed, woven acrylic canvas that is breathable, water repellent, and has a long term service life. The synthetic fabric should outlast the threads it is sewn with. Sunbrella is also highly resistant to fading. The down side to this fabric is that if water pools on the canvas, it will gradually seep through the breathable material. However, if the cover is properly fitted, it will shed water, and the interior of the boat will remain bone dry. This again is why it is imperative that a mooring cover be fitted to your make and model.

The most popular mooring covers are the drawstring type with tie-down loops fastened at strategic locations, since this sort of well formed fit can be cinched as tight as need be to prevent the mooring cover from flapping in the breeze. During periods of inclement weather with increased winds, regardless of how well the cover fits, it is advisable to securely fasten the sides of the mooring cover with rope or straps, not elastic bands which can stretch when the cover rises with the wind drafting over the top.

The owner's next concern should be maintaining the mooring cover so it lasts. Proper care simply means keeping the mooring cover clean and dry when not in use. A clean cover repels water better and lasts longer. Cleaning Sunbrella or similar material requires nothing more than a high-pressure hose or pressure washer. You can blast heavy debris off and if you have to, a damp scrub brush with a mild detergent such as Woolite will handle all other stains. Be sure to sweep both right to left and front to back when rinsing the soap residue completely off the cover. Don't be afraid to throw a mooring cover in an industrial size washing machine, but they should be air dried only. Canvas cannot be put in clothes dryers or it will shrink and become unusable, and it could burn.

Breathable covers should outlast their waterproofing and at some point down the line, they may need to be re-treated. This process is still substantially more affordable than the cost of a new cover.

Next on the agenda is selecting a reputable vendor to manufacture your new mooring cover. We suggest you contact a few canvas makers who have been referred by local boat dealers. Inquire if they have a cover to fit your particular make and model. If the answer is “yes,” then ask if the same cover also fits other models. If so, take a pass.

Custom mooring covers designed to fit your particular boat should have reinforcements sewn in at strategic stress points and tie down loops in specific locations. These accessories of sorts are designed to accommodate your particular boat's layout. If a vendor doesn't have the right size, he'll probably be more than happy to custom-make one for you rather than trying to sell you a similar product. A few of the best canvas makers also have an extensive list of patterned mooring covers specially designed for specific model boats outfitted with T-tops or towers. One such patented product is called the EZT-COVER.

If you come away with anything from this article, it is that you shouldn't make the mistake of investing in a beautiful boat, your pride and joy, and then shorten its life with a cheap mooring cover or worse yet, no mooring cover at all. With the higher price and longer service life of modern boats, financial institutions are providing longer term financing options. For this reason alone, you should strongly consider a custom fitted mooring cover that will protect your investment for as long as the financing. Any boater who currently utilizes a well-fitted mooring cover will swear it is the next best thing to a factory warranty.

“Can I keep a mooring cover on during a hurricane?” The answer is “NO!” Even the best quality, perfectly-fitted mooring cover couldn't withstand 100+ mph winds without the potential for damage.

“Can I trailer my boat with the mooring cover on?” The answer is for short trips to and from the boat ramp, you'll probably be fine. Speeds any greater and it is not recommended. You may damage the mooring cover and the sail effect will surely decrease your fuel efficiency.

Bio:
Tim McDaniel, President/Founder of Covers Inc. has nearly 40 years of experience in the marine canvas business. His company is the exclusive authorized mooring cover manufacturer for Caravelle, Ebbtide, Triumph, Century, and ProSports Boats, just to name a few. For more info on mooring covers, give Tim a call at 502.969.1119 or visit http://www.coversinc.net/