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Three Things to Know Before Buying A Boat Cover

Quality materials, a good fit and the right color all come together to help protect your boat

A quality cover is one of the best ways to protect your boat from an endless environmental assault. Not all boat covers, however, are equally up to the task. Here are three key points to consider before making a purchase.

A quality boat cover
Look for sewn-in, not glued, reinforcement panels in high stress areas, like where the cover contacts the windshield or is braced by support poles. Courtesy Amazon

Cheaper cover materials, like cotton, don’t stand up long term to the sun and tend to mildew. Polyester and acrylic fabrics, though more expensive, are often the better long-term solution. They breathe, better resist the sun’s rays and high temperatures, and are strong enough to handle trailering speeds. Polyester thread and straps also better resist the UV assault.

Measure your boat for the proper fit
To achieve the best fit, consider how the perimeter of the cover cinches around your boat. Elastic or stretch cord often fit loosely or stretch out over time. A draw rope is the better solution. Courtesy Amazon

A custom or model-specific cover is the only choice if you want protection that truly fits your boat like a glove, but expect to pay for the privilege. Numerous manufacturers offer affordable alternatives that, with the right dimensions, can still handle the task at hand. Match your boat to a cover of the same approximate length. Further fine-tune the fit by selecting from a choice of beam widths if available.

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Choose the right color boat cover
Even the best cover materials will need occasional cleaning. A mild soap or detergent works best. Blast off dirt with a shot from a garden hose. Courtesy Amazon

Think twice before choosing a cover color. Dark shades, like black, blue and green typically last longer than lighter shades and have greater UV resistance, in part thanks to their higher amount of dye. Tradeoff? They absorb more heat.

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