Ayrton Oneill
Boat owners often use covers to protect their boats from dust, bugs, and sun damage. There are different types of boat covers, including trailering covers, mooring covers, and custom snap covers. Trailering covers are typically more durable and have tie-down strap systems, while mooring covers may only use rope tie-downs. Custom snap covers are made to fit specific boats and can have snaps or straps to secure them in place. When installing a boat cover, it is important to start from the front and work towards the back, using cleats to hold the cover in place. Some covers have ratchets or buckles to tighten the cover, while others use straps or ropes. To make the process easier, some boat owners use additional tools such as planks, balls, or tarps to weigh down the cover or provide easier access.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of boat cover | Trailerable cover, non-trailerable storage cover, mooring cover, trailering cover, sunbrella cover, custom snap cover, dust cover, lightweight cover, full light cover, water line cover, automatic cover, canopy cover |
| Installation | Examine for sharp points and cover them with cloth or foam pad; locate the "front" tag and secure first; stretch the cover towards the rear and over the sides; separate tie-down straps or ropes; refer to instructions for securing methods; use straps or ropes to secure the cover |
| Tips | Work from front to back, using cleats to hold the cover in place; stand on the cover and step off to the side; use a plank for easy access; use a ball on the front deck to make the cover tight; attach weights or jugs to the side straps to increase tension; use a support pole |
| Challenges | Needing to cover the boat every night; difficulty accessing the "far side" of the boat when on a vertical lift; keeping the sun off the boat when in the same position; keeping bugs, spiders, pollen, dust, and mud dobbers out of the boat |
| Suggested products | Hangtyte, Touchless Cover, Breeze Boat Covers, Precision Marine Custom Boat Covers, Boat Lift and Canopy |
What You'll Learn
Identify the front of the cover and secure it first
To put a boat lift cover on, you'll first need to identify the front of the cover. Boat lift covers are designed to be installed in a specific way, with the front of the cover secured first and the rest of the cover stretched towards the rear and over the sides of the boat.
The front of the cover is typically identified by a sewn-in ID tag that says "front". Once you've located this tag, you can begin the process of securing the cover to your boat.
It's important to ensure that the cover is centred and even on all sides before moving on to the next steps of securing the cover. This will make the rest of the installation process easier and help ensure a proper fit. Take your time during this step to avoid any issues later on.
Depending on the type of cover you have, you may need to use tie-down straps or ropes to secure the cover in place. Some covers may also have belt loops sewn onto the outside surface, which can be used to thread the straps through for a more secure fit. Refer to the instructions provided with your boat cover for specific details on the best method for securing your particular cover.
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Stretch the cover over the boat, centring it
Stretching the cover over the boat and centring it is a crucial step in the process of installing a boat cover. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to help you achieve this:
Before stretching the cover over the boat, it is important to identify the front end of the cover. Look for the sewn-in ID tag that says "front". This is the end you will want to secure first. By starting at the front, you can ensure the cover is centred and even on all sides as you work your way towards the rear.
Once you have located the front, stretch the cover towards the back of the boat, pulling it over the sides and ensuring it is centred as you go. Take your time with this step, as you want to avoid any bunching or uneven coverage. Work your way from the front to the middle of the boat, using cleats to help hold the cover in place as you move along.
If you are working solo, it may be helpful to start at the front and work your way to the stern, crawling out at the back to adjust the cover as needed. This method can be particularly useful if you have a smaller boat where it is possible to reach the stern from the dock.
For larger boats or when working with a partner, you can also try the technique of starting at the bow and working your way towards the middle, and then finishing at the stern. This way, you can step off to the side onto the dock and make any final adjustments to ensure the cover is centred and taut.
Remember, the goal is to achieve an even and secure fit, so take your time and make any necessary adjustments as you stretch the cover over the boat.
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Locate and separate tie-down straps or ropes
To locate and separate tie-down straps or ropes, follow these steps:
Firstly, identify the sewn-in ID tag that says "front" on your boat cover. This end should be secured first, with the rest of the cover stretched towards the rear and over the sides of the boat, ensuring it is centred and even on all sides.
Next, locate all the tie-down straps or ropes. If your cover uses tie-down straps, separate them by length. Some covers require straps over the top of the entire cover, while others only need them from the perimeter hem. If your cover has belt loops sewn on, thread the longest straps through the middle loops and secure the ends to the buckles. Then, use the shorter straps by taking the loop on the end around the trailer frame, threading the other end through the loop, and pulling it up to the female buckle on the cover. Leave the strap loose until all straps are in place.
If your cover uses ropes, you can separate them by thickness or length. You may need ropes of different thicknesses or lengths depending on the specific tie-down points on your boat. Secure the ropes tightly to the boat's tie-down points, ensuring that the cover is snug and secure.
It is important to refer to the instructions provided with your boat cover for specific details on securing the cover. Additionally, consider using extra weight or tension on the straps or ropes to keep the cover taut. This can be achieved by attaching jugs of water or sandbags to the straps or ropes.
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Thread straps through belt loops
Threading straps through belt loops is a common method of securing a boat cover. This is done by first identifying the belt loops sewn onto the outside surface of the cover. Once located, the longest straps are threaded through the middle loops and secured to the buckles at the ends.
The process is similar for both trailerable covers and non-trailerable storage covers. Trailerable covers usually have durable tie-down strap systems, while storage covers may only use rope tie-downs. The key difference when threading straps through belt loops for a storage cover is that you may need to use rope instead of straps.
It is important to ensure that the cover is centred and even on all sides before securing it. This can be done by locating the sewn-in ID tag that says "front" and securing that end first, then stretching the rest of the cover towards the rear and over the sides of the boat.
There are a few variations on this technique. Some covers require straps over the top of the entire cover, while others only need straps around the perimeter hem. Additionally, some users recommend using a combination of straps and other methods, such as attaching half-gallon jugs to the side straps to keep tension on them.
When threading the straps through the belt loops, it is also important to leave them loose until all straps are in place. This makes it easier to adjust and tighten the cover evenly.
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Secure straps to buckles
To secure straps to buckles, start by identifying the sewn-in ID tag that says "front". This is the end of the cover that you will secure first. Stretch the rest of the cover towards the rear and over the sides of the boat, ensuring it is centred and even on all sides. Next, locate and separate all of the tie-down straps or ropes. If your cover uses tie-down straps, separate them by length. Note that some covers require straps over the top of the entire cover, while others only need straps from the perimeter hem.
If your cover has belt loops sewn onto the outside surface, thread the longest straps through the middle loops and secure the ends to the buckles. Then, take the loop on the end of the shorter straps around the trailer frame, while threading the other end through the loop and up to the female buckle on the cover. Thread the strap through the buckle, leaving it loose until all straps are in place.
If you are using a custom cover with snaps, you can secure the snaps under the rub rail to hold it in place. Alternatively, you can use ratchet straps to tighten and lock the cover around the rub rail.
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Frequently asked questions
The process of putting on a boat lift cover depends on the type of cover you have. If your cover has tie-down straps, separate them by length. If your cover has belt loops sewn on, thread the longest straps through the middle loops and secure the ends to the buckles. Then, use the shorter straps. Take the loop on the end around the trailer frame while threading the other end through the loop and up to the female buckle on the cover. Thread the strap in through the buckle, leaving it loose until all straps are in place.
If your cover has belt loops sewn onto the outside surface, thread the longest straps through the middle loops and secure the ends to the buckles.
Before installing the cover, examine it for any sharp points that could potentially puncture the cover. Cover these points with an extra cloth or a foam pad, if necessary. You can also use a large workout ball or a custom snap cover to get the cover on and off more easily.
