Which is the Best Boat Cover?

humberrib1 · 12 April 2015, 20:51

Hi Guys,

Thought I would ask your advice before buying a new boat cover! I own a Honwave t38ie and wish to buy a full cover suitable for protecting it from the elements and also suitable when towing the boat on it its road trailer. I already have a light silver elasticated cover to protect it from U.V. degradation, but wish to buy a more heavy duty type. Have any of you bought or do any of you own a genuine Honwave full boat cover (heavy duty type) and if so can I ask: -

What is it made of i.e. UPVC?
Is it suitable when towing on a road trailer?
Do you consider it good value for money?
Can you recommend any other brand than the genuine Honwave boat cover?

Thanks for your help in anticipation!

Jon B.

mick · 12 April 2015, 20:57

Tony T has a good one on his from quayside leisure

stevo · 13 April 2015, 07:49

I got my local wagon tarpaulin repare guy to make one for my 4mtr avon its covers the whole boat and only cost £80

humberrib1 · 13 April 2015, 10:36

To Mick and Stevo,

Thanks for your reply guys, your advice is much appreciated. I too have thought about having one made up locally as I have had for a camping trailer in the past. My concern is that I don't have a tailor made pattern for a company to copy, but I do seem to think that I could possibly have a better cover made with straps attached for the same money as a genuine Honwave cover at £125 - £135, or have the same made for a fair bit less!

Thanks again & I think I will wait to read any more replies from the forum before I decide on which to go for.

Jon

Pikey Dave · 13 April 2015, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by humberrib1

To Mick and Stevo,

Thanks for your reply guys, your advice is much appreciated. I too have thought about having one made up locally as I have had for a camping trailer in the past. My concern is that I don't have a tailor made pattern for a company to copy, but I do seem to think that I could possibly have a better cover made with straps attached for the same money as a genuine Honwave cover at £125 - £135, or have the same made for a fair bit less!

Thanks again & I think I will wait to read any more replies from the forum before I decide on which to go for.

Jon

The one that tonyt has is a custom job from a guy in Lichfield. From what I've seen they are the dogs danglies but not cheap. You take your boat to him & he measures it up & makes a cover to fit around all the stickyout bits. In the end, you get what you pay for

I'll be paying him a visit in the coming weeks

jeffstevens763@g · 13 April 2015, 13:55

i got a trem covy all over cover for my 6m rib off ebay £130 breathable this is second season still as new just took it off and soaked in tent water proofer this year

paddlers · 13 April 2015, 14:04

I have a Honwave cover on my 3.5 AE but I only use it ashore and not for travelling. Reasonable quality although the eyes where the cord finishes are a weak point & I had mine replaced with strengthening patches & webbing. It's a good fit with a velcro edged flap where the outboard sits.

kaman · 13 April 2015, 17:38

I'll second Paddlers.
I have a Honwave cover for my 3.5 ae as well.
I tow the Sib with it on.
It is custom made to fit and ties at the transom.
I and use two ratchet straps over the Sib to secure the Sib to trailer and cover to the Sib.
I give it a spray of Aerospace 303 UV protector / waterproofer a few times a year.
It's into it's 4th year and still going strong.
I prop it the cover up with an old tent pole whilst it's lying idle and put a tarp on top for good measure .
The cover sheds water effortlessly when propped up in this manner.
It resembles a Swimming Pool on top if cover is not propped up though.
You can buy one for your Honwave I paid about 100 quid 3 and a bit years ago - well worth it in my opinion.

kaman · 13 April 2015, 18:18

Managed to find a picture of the Sib whilst on tow with the cover on.
The bottom edge of the cover has strong drawstring which securely ties it around the Sib.
You can see the ratchet straps in the picture.
I've towed mine hundreds of miles as depicted and never had a single issue.
Towing with the cover on keeps everything inside and nice and dry and also stops stones being thrown up from the car and landing in the Sib.

humberrib1 · 13 April 2015, 23:36

Hi Jeff, Pikey Dave, Paddlers and kaman,

Thanks Guys for all your help, advice, images and time to reply to my request. Collectively your advice is just what I was hoping for and has helped in a big way. The images do the Honwave cover more justice than the images on the official Honwave website!

If there is any chance of being supplied with the company/guys name from Lichfield, that will be brilliant for future reference.

Thanks again fellas.
Kind regards
Jon B.

jwatson · 14 April 2015, 12:41

Does anyone know if these are available for other brands? Ie my quicksilver 380?!

humberrib1 · 14 April 2015, 21:54

Hi JW,

If you search on "Google" under the heading of Inflatable Boat Cover, it will bring up a large selection for you to view including companies that will tailor make them if you submit your boat sizes.

Hope the above info helps?

Kind regards
Jon B.

mick · 14 April 2015, 22:13

You could try these
Norwood Cabs & Covers Ltd
Unit 3, 36, Valley Rd, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, BD19 3LJ
Tel: 01274 869290

Not to far to take your boat for a measure up

tony t · 15 April 2015, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by mick

You could try these
Norwood Cabs & Covers Ltd
Unit 3, 36, Valley Rd, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, BD19 3LJ
Tel: 01274 869290

Not to far to take your boat for a measure up

My 2 covers from quayside

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http://www.quaysideleisure.com/

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Fenlander · 15 April 2015, 08:35

Another vote for the Honwave OE cover. Had one with my 3.5AE. Found the material stronger than many and in the time I owned it the eyes didn't give trouble. Looked the part and fitted well.

Last Tango · 15 April 2015, 10:03

Got a cheep one of Ebay. It was great, lasted nearly three weeks.

humberrib1 · 16 April 2015, 21:13

Hi mick, toni t & Fenlander,

Many thanks for your replies including the images. Your advice and help (including that from other members that replied to my original thread) has been invaluable in helping me decide which boat cover to go for. I've decided on this occasion to go for a genuine Honwave cover but will save to file all other information received through this forum for future reference. The best online deal I managed to get was via "YachtShop" based on Anglesey. I can recommend their service from making the purchase to delivery within a couple of days via standard delivery.

Thanks again guys and to the body of people that manage this forum; a great source for information.

Yachtshop / Sail and power marine equipment specialists / Marine Equipment & Boat Sales

Kind regards
Jon B.

mick · 16 April 2015, 21:19

😎 no problem

kaman · 16 April 2015, 21:27

Won't go far wrong with the Honwave cover.
They are good quality.
Top tip - protect it from degradation by UV rays with some of this stuff.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/261463425205?nav=SEARCH

I ended up buying a 5 litre bottle as I spray mine several times a year.
Not cheap but keeps it in tip top condition.

C-NUMB · 17 April 2015, 13:37

I got a UK made (tailor made) tarpaulin clothing having PVC on the inside when i bought my SR 5.4.

The quality is outstanding, have not done anything else than fresh water rinsed it a couple of times a year. Still holding water 100% and looking reasonable good after 5 years in pretty harsh condition, living outside 365/days a years. And it was used when i got it!