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How to Put On a Boat Cover

By John Funk, May 17, 2022

Owning a boat is a long-term investment and a decision that you may well cherish for the rest of your life. It opens up various new opportunities that are either limited or simply not possible for those who are stuck on dry land. If you are planning on purchasing a boat, there are many types and sizes to choose from, ranging from modern, luxurious vessels to smaller, more affordable ones.

Owning a boat gives you the freedom to take it out on the water whenever you want and go anywhere you want. You can either go out on the shoreline for a quick fishing trip or go on a Magellanic voyage for several months. If your boat is large enough, you can use it for social gatherings or business meetings. Even small boats may provide enough space for a certain number of people to relax together.

A boat allows you to spend quality time with friends and family and share your love of the seas with them. You can cherish the time spent with them in a way that is simply not possible on dry land.

It is important to make a modest investment in a high-quality boat cover to protect your cherished possession from damages that can be caused by UV rays, hail storms, dust, bird droppings, and other external factors.

How to Put On a Boat Cover

As a boat owner, it is important for you to know how to install a boat cover. Proper boat cover installation is one of the most important yet easiest ways of protecting your long-term investment. Installing a boat cover is a simple process and the following instructions will help you understand how to put on a boat cover.

  • You may have either purchased a trailerable cover or a non-trailerable storage cover. You need to understand the main difference between them and start the process accordingly.
  • Generally, trailerable covers have durable tie-down strap systems, whereas non-trailerable storage ones may only use rope tie-downs.
  • Examine and look for any sharp points or edges on the boat before installing the cover. Sharp points could potentially puncture the cover. Therefore, it is essential to cover such points with extra cloth. Foam pads can also be effective.
  • Once you have identified the sharp points and taken the necessary steps, you need to locate the sewn-in tag (sometimes printed) labeled “front”, which is the end of the cover to secure first.
  • You have to stretch the cover towards the rear, over the sides of the boat, and ensure that it is centered and even on all sides. Once this is done, you need to locate and separate all of the tie-down straps.
  • The installation process may slightly vary depending on the type of cover. Some covers may require straps over the top of the entire cover, while others may require only from the perimeter hem. For the covers that use tie-down straps, you need to separate them by length.
  • For the covers that use belt loops sewn onto the outside surface, you need to thread the longest straps through the middle loops and secure the ends to the buckles.
  • Once this is done, you need to use the shorter straps by taking the loop on the end around the trailer frame. This needs to be done while threading the other end through the loop, up to the female buckle on the cover. The strap needs to be threaded in through the buckle to leave it loose until all straps are in place.
  • Support poles are optional for many covers. If these are being used, you have to position the poles under your cover prior to completely covering the boat.

While installing the boat cover, you need to adjust the covers by pulling the cover tight. A snug fit is important to eliminate sagging areas as these areas may collect standing water and snow and shorten the lifespan of your cover. It is advisable to use heavy-duty tie-down straps while trailering.

Removing the cover properly is also important, as it makes the process of installation easier when covering your boat again. For this, you must remove the cover by folding it to the center from both sides and rolling the cover from back to front.

Wide, flat boats such as Pontoon boats can be an ideal gathering space for those who are looking for ways to socialize outdoors. Hence, it is important for you to know how to put a cover on a Pontoon boat if you own one so that it remains in pristine condition, thereby ensuring that your social gatherings or meetings are not hampered.

The Incredible Features of a Seal Skin Boat Cover

The following are just some of the benefits of Seal Skin boat covers that might help you to decide whether our boat covers are worth buying for your boat or not.

  • Our boat covers come in different shapes and sizes to perfectly fit virtually every model of boat.
  • A Seal Skin boat cover includes tie-down straps which ensure that your boat is covered entirely and properly so that it doesn’t flap during strong winds due to a loose fit.
  • Our expertly designed boat covers are designed for trailering, storage, and mooring of your boat, and are suitable for any climate.
  • Our heavy-duty boat covers are designed in such a way that they will not stretch or shrink over the years and provide superior protection to your boat. Our boat covers are long-lasting, relieving you from the stress of replacing them.
  • Our top-quality covers include vents that provide air circulation to prevent moisture build-up underneath the cover, thereby preventing the growth of mold and mildew on your boat.

A boat cover is mandatory for both outdoor and indoor boat storage. It can protect your boat from harsh weather conditions, tree sap, dirt and dust formation, animal and bird droppings, and so on. We sell Seal-Fit boat covers that provide the same level of protection that a custom cover does at a much lower price point.

At Seal Skin, we offer some of the best boat covers on the market and you can choose one based on your budget and need. When you purchase a boat cover from us, we will also be providing a manual that contains Seal Skin boat cover installation steps. This will help you understand how to install a Seal Skin boat cover.

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.

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