Guide to Boat Covers

Boat covers are made of synthetic fabrics such as nylon or canvas. They fit over the boat's exterior to protect it from the harsh wearing effects of the sun's UV rays, sea water, and rain, mooring, trailing, or storage.  They also protect the boat from scratches, bird droppings, and debris.

Trailing-mooring covers

Trailing-mooring covers are full deck covers used for trailing and mooring. They have mast collars with drawcord closures and nylon zippers. Their reinforcements are at the cleat areas, back corners, splashrails, and fairlead areas. Trailing-mooring covers do not fit over booms when they are in crutches with the masts up. The boom must be stored in the cockpit.

Mooring covers

Mooring covers are full deck over-boom covers with zippers running from the mast to the sidestay. They have mast collars with drawstring closures and flaps that snap around to protect the chainplates from water seepage.

Mooring cover reinforcements are at the end of the boom, the gooseneck behind the mast collar, over the spinnaker cleats and pulleys, the back corners of the boat, and the over-all standard-class protruding eyes and cleats.
 
Skirted covers

Skirted covers are full deck covers with the same detailing as mooring covers plus a skirt to protect the transom, sides, and bow from chalking or fading in sunlight. The skirts have Velcro closures at the bow and flaps that snap around the sidestays.
 
Cockpit covers

Cockpit covers are boom tents used to cover the cockpit and fit over the boom from mast to tramsom. They snap together down front of the mast. Their reinforcements are at the over outhaul at the end of the boom and over the gooseneck just behind the mast collar.

Cockpit covers are attached to a boat using hook hardware.

Trailing covers

Trailing covers are full deck covers that lie flat over the deck. They have no mast holes or stay holes. Trailing covers use an elastic cord in the hem to hold them against the side of the boat six inches under the rubrail. Their reinforcements are at the back corner, the splashrail, and over the cleats and eyes.
 
Bottom covers

Bottom covers protect the bottom and sides of the boat from flying stones and dirt when trailing. They have soft-flannel interiors for keep the racing surface slick.

Bottom covers have webbing loops for tying drawcords across the boat.  They are designed with a drain hole.

Custom fit: Choose a custom fit boat cover or one that snugly fits the shape and size of your boat to secure the edges and prevent the elements from seeping through it and into the boat.  A snug fit also prevent the cover from resisting the wind.

Zipper flaps:  Choose a boat cover with zippers with flaps that snap over it to protect the zippers from water and UV rays.