Types of Boat Covers
Boat covers can be custom-made to fit your boat, or bought ready-made from the store. Standard covers for a 14-foot boat start at about US$50, but do not expect your boat to stay dry in a storm. The cheapest boat covers are usually made from breathable polyester that will not keep out moisture.
Selecting a Boat Cover
Ideally, the boat owner will want a cover that is both breathable and waterproof. If it is not breathable, moisture from the day's excursion will be locked-in and increase corrosion. If the boat is kept in a garage, a waterproof cover is probably not essential, but it will be useful for multi-day excursions where overnight conditions are unpredictable. You may also need to tailor your boat cover to suit the climate where you live. Boat cover experts recommend different boat cover fabrics, depending on humidity and UV levels. If you are storing your boat in a humid place, or near the water, it would pay to use a breathable fabric. The savvy boat cover buyer would not want marine polyester in a humid environment because of its airtight weave. Circulation is needed to help expel the moisture vapor present in most boat carpets, upholstery, and many bilges and hulls.
Primarily used for mooring and storage, cotton canvas is both breathable and cheap. It is water resistant, but not recommended for outdoor use. Pure polyester (6.5oz) is a lightweight cover for areas with low humidity and high UV as the tight weave keeps out the harmful rays as well as light dust. The heavy duty 50/50 polyester-cotton blend is the most popular fabric for boat covers because of its versatility. It is both strong and breathable, and is suitable for tailoring and boat storage. Pure cotton is breathable, but lacks the strength for towing and will not keep out UV rays.
Water-resistant boat covers are important in that they ensure water puddles do not form. The organisms that grow in the standing water will eat into the fabric and cause premature deterioration. Snow is another harmful factor because it will sit in clumps and can put pressure on parts of the cover not designed for excess weight. Support poles can help spread the weight evenly over the cover in addition to padding, which will stop sharp ends and edges breaking holes in the fabric.
