Last Updated on September 12, 2022 by Brian Drew
Are you someone who loves the water and spending time in and around it? Do you enjoy having some relaxing time on a yacht? Do you value the awesome experience? If yes, then purchasing one must have been on your agenda at some point in time or the other. The thrill of owning a vessel and the freedom it gives you cannot be compared to anything else.
Owning a boat is something that is not restricted to only the rich and famous. It could be a great investment and an activity that can greatly help you improve your health.
It is one of the best ways to enjoy time with family and friends. Once you have made up your mind to buy one for yourself, you must also remember some tips to protect and preserve it.
What is a boat cover?
The best boat bimini top will help to cover your boat and sustain it in its best condition during winter so that it can be used whenever you want to use it during the warm season. They come in different types and are made of varied materials.
You can buy a casing that is customized as per the shape and size of any ship. You must buy a cover that fits well and is of the right kind as per the storage requirements to ensure it does a perfect job.
Why use a boat cover?
Investing in a boat cover is the best way of protection during the winter months. Here are some top reasons why you should invest in one:
To increase longevity:
Protecting your boat can increase its lifespan significantly. This is what every owner would want. Not tending to your purchase means you might need to buy a new model much earlier than you would otherwise.
The one factor that can cause the state of any craft to deteriorate rapidly is moisture. The harmful rays of the sun can further worsen the situation. To avoid this, boat covers offer the best defense.
Prevents scratches and dents:
A good-looking boat looks even better when it does not have any dents or scratches. These can make it look dull and old over time. A sleeve can prevent fading and can help it look as good as new for a long time.
To keep birds and insects out:
An uncovered boat can become a home for birds or insects. In addition to this, it can also collect debris over time. The mess that they can create could spell havoc on its condition.
No one would like to waste their time cleaning their prized possession before using them. To use less time and energy on cleaning, envelope it instead as a solution.
To decrease maintenance costs:
Buying a boat could make your pockets lighter but maintaining it well over the years could mean even more expenditure. As an investment, any owner would like to reduce the cost to maintain her asset. This is possible with regular care.
Sometimes the cost of maintaining a boat has led owners to sell their boat themselves. Storage is another element that needs to be considered. Using a cover ensures you spend less on repair and replacements. This would reduce maintenance costs considerably.
To safeguard against theft:
Spending on the safety and security of your precious assets is an obvious thing to do. Doing this for your valued possession should be no exception. An unprotected vessel might attract the attention of thieves or troublemakers.
While stealing the entire craft may be almost impossible, there is a danger of items such as electronics may be stolen. Keep the essential parts and equipment safe from unwanted elements by concealing them.
How to cover?
Now that you know why it is so important to protect, it is equally necessary to know how. You must make sure the process is done well so that you get the maximum benefits, or else the whole process would be a waste.
In order that it remains well protected all the time, you must find out about the different options and decide which one is best suited for your needs. The cover must fit well and it should not flap in wind. Also, consider your budget and the climate it would be stored.
Here are a few suggestions that will help you learn how to conceal it in the best way:
Shrinkwrapping:
This popular option involves wrapping using plastic material. Shrinkwrapping is expensive and it might not be possible to reuse the plastic. This means you would spend every year to get shrink wrapping.
This method was initially used by suppliers where they would use shrink wrapping to cover boats before shipping them to buyers. It requires costly tools and you could contact specific companies to get the shrinkwrap.
There are a few do-it-yourself shrink wrapping kits available too but it is best left to professionals as it requires experience and skill to get shrink wrapping done.
Covering the edges:
One important point to remember is the presence of sharp edges or corners. These can cause holes in tarps or even tear through the shrink wrapping.
The best thing is to hide them before using the cover. You can do this using strips of cloth or thick carpets. Using tape make sure that they are secured well.
Take care of ventilation:
All covers need to have a provision for air circulation. Not doing so could result in condensation which could lead to mildew or mold. If you use shrink wrapping, ensure that there are vents to avoid condensation. A vent must also be present around the vent of the fuel tank.
For easy access:
One disadvantage of using shrink wrapping is that it’s impossible to get inside during the cold season without tearing or cutting the wrap. This problem could be addressed by using a tarp.
To get easy access, fill sand into one-gallon jugs and hang them from the grommets. To get inside, lift one or two jugs to release some tension and enter easily.
Adequate propping:
When using any type of sheath, there should not be any low spots. Rainwater or snow could collect in these spots and they will sag or even rip. You could use small poles for propping small areas but you might require extra protection to avert the tarp from tearing in these places.
Installing the boat cover:
- Place the cover over the front portion of the boat.
- Slowly pull the case and do it cautiously to stay away from any sharp corners.
- Continue till you reach the back portion.
- Secure it with the help of the given rope or strap.
Conclusion:
While there is no doubt that a sheath is extremely essential, it is imperative that it’s used correctly. If you use it incorrectly it would be as bad as not using any shield at all.
When buying, a cover always factors the various aspects such as resistance to weather, material, weight, and expenditure involved. You must buy a casing keeping all these factors in mind and best suited to your requirements.
Whichever type you decide to purchase, you should check on it regularly for holes or wear and tear. Fixing the sleeve before it gets ruined completely and is necessary to be replaced would save you a lot of energy, time, and money.
Housing for this precious commodity during the cold months would be an extremely minuscule price to pay for the many benefits it will surely result in. We hope that this information would be your reference and this aids and helps you acquire and install the best boat cover.
