It's essential to keep your boat covered when it's not in use to keep it in good working condition and protect its interior from the elements. Buying a one-size-fits-all cover online might be tempting, but not all boat covers are created equal. Because off-the-shelf covers are made to work for a wide range of boats, they rarely fit well, which means your boat is never wholly protected when using one.
A custom boat cover is one of the best ways to protect your boat. At Canvasworks in Cokato, Minnesota, we specialize in manufacturing custom boat covers, upholstery, and tarps. In this post, we'll explain why it's important to use different fabric choices for different types of boat covers.
Types of Boat Covers
There are several types of boat covers available for different purposes. What kind of cover you need is determined by the cover's purpose and your specific boat. Warm weather covers are generally used for mooring, travel, or to protect passengers from the elements. Covers for use in the off-season are specifically built to handle the weather your region experiences during the winter months.
The type of material used for a specific cover is primarily decided by its purpose and the weather it will experience during its primary season. Read on to learn more about the general types of materials used for different covers.
Summer Mooring & Travel Covers
Not only is it impossible to keep a boat dry due to the very nature of its environment, but the hot, humid days of summer also lead to condensation buildup inside any cover. Since condensation is an inevitable problem, it's important to use a breathable fabric to allow the water vapor to evaporate outside of the cover. Trapping condensation inside the cover creates the perfect environment for mold and mildew to flourish.
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The best materials for summer mooring or travel covers are highly water-resistant, breathable fabrics that allow this moisture to evaporate as the summer sun warms the air inside the boat. Standard breathable fabrics are Top Notch, Sunbrella, and Hydrofend. Waterproof fabrics trap water inside the boat, leading to mold and mildew formation, so they are not commonly used for summer covers.
If you make the mistake of trapping moisture in your boat and discover mold growing, check out our guide on the best ways to clean your boat upholstery! Then, switch to a breathable summer cover
Outdoor Winter Storage Covers
The highly water-resistant yet breathable fabrics used for summer boat covers are not well-suited for winter storage. The breathable fabrics are not slick, so ice and snow are more liable to stick to them, unlike the laminated waterproof fabrics used for winter storage covers.
Canvasworks' custom-designed outdoor storage covers are manufactured using a waterproof premium 18-ounce woven polyester vinyl-coated laminate. Custom-fit to your boat, these covers provide excellent protection from snow, ice, wind, and debris. The waterproof fabric has a slick surface that allows snow and ice to slide off easily. In addition, winter storage covers are made using a much heavier-duty frame than summer covers.
A winter cover cannot be used for summer storage or travel due to its high pitch and slick, waterproof material that readily sheds ice and snow. This same waterproof material would trap moisture in the boat if used during the summer months, leading to mold and mildew inside your boat
Contact Your Cokato Source for Custom-Made Heavy-Duty Boat Covers
Your boat is more than just a possession. Now more than ever, it's an investment in yourself and a chance to experience the natural beauty of our Midwest lakes!
At Canvasworks, we custom manufacture winter storage covers, summer mooring covers, and travel covers, so your boat will be there for you season after season, and your upholstery will look great for years to come.
Stop by our online gallery to see examples of our exceptional work. Then, call us at 320-559-0165 to order your custom boat canopy system, or contact us online to discuss your boat's options.