The Seal Skin Boat Cover Buying Guide
By John Funk, July 4, 2023
For many boat enthusiasts, purchasing a boat is a lifetime investment, as they work hard for several years to fulfill their dream. If you are one of them and have finally fulfilled your lifelong dream of buying a boat, you need to be responsible and take preventive measures to protect your boat from damaging elements. At the end of the day, it is not just about fulfilling your dream (purchasing a boat) – real happiness is about living your dream to the fullest: maintaining the boat in pristine condition so that you can go boating whenever you want and explore all the water activities.
Regular maintenance and cleaning are important to protect your cherished investment; however, boat covers are one of the most important accessories to protect your boat from the harsh effects of UV rays, snow, wind, rain, dust, and more.
A top-quality boat cover can keep your boat in pristine condition and can maximize the potential return on investment for your investment. It improves security, making it difficult for thieves and vandals to gain access to your boat. It also reduces the need for regular maintenance and cleaning, thereby helping you save time and money.
The Seal Skin Boat Cover Buying Guide
There are various types of boat covers out there, so choosing an ideal one for your investment is not going to be easy. While Seal Skin offers top-quality boat covers, this blog post is not intended to be overly promotional and the ultimate aim is to help you understand what to look for in a boat cover – whether it’s ours or someone else’s. Our boat cover buying guide will help you choose the perfect boat cover based on your needs and preferences.
#1. Material
One of the most important factors to consider while purchasing a boat cover is the type of fabric it is made of.
The majority of boat covers are made of polyester. It is an incredible choice for boat cover construction. One of the main reasons why it is the most commonly used cover material is that it offers good water and UV resistance, and breathability. It guarantees a longer lifespan for the cover and comes at a reasonable cost.
Acrylic is considered to be a good alternative to polyester – in fact, some experts consider this fabric type to be superior. Solution-dyed polyester, vinyl-coated polyester, and blended poly-cotton are a few other commonly used fabric types.
Cotton is viewed by many as a poor choice as it can stretch and break down, yet blended poly-cotton is a popular choice due to its lower price point. It is recommended to purchase a cover that has the highest polyester content and lowest content, in case you are planning to purchase a poly-cotton boat cover.
#2. Breathable Space
You want a 100% waterproof cover, however, this comes with an important caveat – the wrong waterproof cover can be dangerous for your boat. A boat cover that can’t breathe properly won’t allow water vapor to escape. This will result in moisture formation that can lead to mold and mildew build-up, which can damage your boat’s components such as electronics and wiring.
An ideal boat cover is one that has ventilation built in. The best covers have built-in vents, making them a better and safer option than waterproof covers that don’t. It is true that waterproof fabrics are more effective in colder places that receive lots of rain. However, the breathability factor is crucial to prevent mold, mildew, and rot that can turn your boat into a greenhouse.
#3. Snug Fit
How well a cover fits into your boat, and the ease at which you can put it on and remove it, are some important factors to be considered while looking for a cover to purchase. Sadly, many boat owners prefer purchasing universal covers as they are inexpensive. However, such covers tend to be overly large or undersized – and this is as bad as leaving your boat uncovered.
An overly large cover can easily get blown away during strong winds, leaving your boat exposed to hazardous elements. An undersized cover can cause scratches to your beloved boat because of the tight fit. Universal covers will only increase the maintenance work, requiring you to spend your hard-earned money on repairs, and the whole purpose of purchasing a cheap cover for saving money goes for a toss. Therefore, a smarter option is to purchase a custom-fit cover for your boat. Even though it’s expensive, it will likely be a one-time investment as custom covers don’t need to be replaced most often, thanks to their quality and fit.
Custom covers provide a snug fit, hugging the contours of your boat. There are various models available and you should find one that’s custom-fitted for the specific boat model you own. Alternatively, for a cheaper option that won’t compromise on fit, consider a semi-custom fit cover tailored for your boat’s make and model.
#4. Durability and UV Resistance
Every boat owner expects their boat cover to be strong enough to resist damaging elements, while still being light enough to put on and remove the cover with ease. Boat covers are not just used frequently, but most often they are used in a rough manner. So, they need to be designed in such a way that they can resist wear and tear. Therefore, you need to ensure that you purchase a durable heavyweight boat cover.
UV rays can fade your paint and affect the appearance of your boat, which in turn may affect the resale value of your investment. So, purchasing a UV-resistant cover is important as it can increase the lifespan of your boat by retaining the showroom-fresh look.
Why Choose Seal Skin’s Top-Quality Boat Covers?
At Seal Skin, we offer some of the best boat covers on the market. We sell a wide variety of boat covers and you can easily find one based on your preferences and needs. Our boat covers are made of top-quality materials that offer superior protection to your boat.
Custom covers are a great choice; however, they may not be affordable for all boat owners. Seal Skin offers semi-custom-fit covers that are a great alternative to custom covers. Our semi-custom covers are affordable due to their lower price point, yet they provide about the same level of protection as custom covers.
You can call us at 800-915-0038 during our office hours (Monday to Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST) and we will help you find the right boat cover that fits your needs and budget. We will also help you if you have any questions about our products, shipping policies, and exchange/refund policies.
