Longest lasting boat cover - AR190

[jman]

I have a AR190 that will be stored outside year round. What’s the longest lasting cover I can buy? The Yamaha OEM covers are nice, but many say they only last 2-3 years. Was looking to not have to buy a cover so many times. Thanks.

 

[KyleP]

Honestly if you can find someone selling a shipping cover they are super thick and mine has lasted 4 years with no issues at all. You can sometimes get them for cheap on here, I think I got mine for 100 bucks from a forum member

 

[2kwik4u]

Honestly if you can find someone selling a shipping cover they are super thick and mine has lasted 4 years with no issues at all. You can sometimes get them for cheap on here, I think I got mine for 100 bucks from a forum member

Ran the shipping cover on mine. While towing with it for 3 seasons. It was, IMO, of better quality than the black "deluxe premium" covers. I'll be on my third season towing with that cover this year.

Boat lives in a garage though, so it doesn't get any sun damage during storage. I'm sure that helps, but how much I'm unsure.

 

[mrcleanr6]

I made sure i asked the dealer to save my shipping cover for me. I got home and tried to put it on. It was the biggest piece of crap i have seen. Im not sure if they have changed at all. For 2021 mine was a fuzzy lined shrinkwrap material. Once it came off my boat it was 1ft too short to ever go back on. Its no different than having your boat shrunkwrap then trying to reuse that material over and over which doesnt work either. If you want a good cover the find a skilled marine canvas guy and have a real custom cover made for the boat. A good cover will last 10 years

 

[WREKS]

@jman What cover you use depends on what you need to protect it from and whether or not you want easy access to work on it. What are your circumstances?

 

[KyleP]

I made sure i asked the dealer to save my shipping cover for me. I got home and tried to put it on. It was the biggest piece of crap i have seen. Im not sure if they have changed at all. For 2021 mine was a fuzzy lined shrinkwrap material. Once it came off my boat it was 1ft too short to ever go back on. Its no different than having your boat shrunkwrap then trying to reuse that material over and over which doesnt work either. If you want a good cover the find a skilled marine canvas guy and have a real custom cover made for the boat. A good cover will last 10 years

must be different with the newer models. Mine (2017 195 shipping cover) has built in ratchet straps and is a very thick material. Not surprising if they are making them cheaper.

 

[1WetBoat]

must be different with the newer models. Mine (2017 195 shipping cover) has built in ratchet straps and is a very thick material. Not surprising if they are making them cheaper.

I also asked my dealer to save the shipping cover for my 2021. It is not cheaply made at all nor thin. It is thick plastic/vinyl like material on the exterior and a soft fleece like material on the inside. Port/starboard ratchet straps with zippered pockets. Snap buckles along the bottom and fits my boat perfectly.

I think my biggest gripe is storing it when off the boat. That sucker doesn't fold up easily for storage.

 

[mrcleanr6]

yes its not thin. its like 1 wetboat described it but the plastic material is shrink wrap plastic. maybe they dont heat all of them but you can tell mine had a shrink wrap gun applied to it. once the dealer took it off there was no getting it back on. it was so short my whole swim platform was hanging out. it was shrunk so tight that the little pointy rear steps on the 27 models back by the platform was actually punched through it. it would be an ok cover if they dont shrink it and just ratchet it tight on the boat. in any case that is more of a winter ocver. if the OP is looking for something like a nice mooring cover then the best thing you can do is have a good canvas guy make you a quality cover. of course its craftsmanship so every person will be different. you find a good one and they can make you a super nice cover that will last years, stay waterproof and not degrade from the sun.

 

[jman]

@jman What cover you use depends on what you need to protect it from and whether or not you want easy access to work on it. What are your circumstances?

Boat will be stored on a lift outside year round. Won’t be towing it anywhere. Just want a quality cover that won’t need to be replaced every couple of years. Haven’t been able to find any in Northern California, Sacramento area. Anyone know a shop I can order it from?

 

[WREKS]

@jman I use a high GSM polypropylene sunsail fabric. Boat cover I drape it over the canopy. It protects from uv and sheds most of the rainwater. The fabric is breathable and is supposed to last 5 years. That works for me in southern Florida. I also like it because, I always have easy access to the boat. It cost me just over $200.

 

[SantaFeTrailer]

I have a $30 Amazon cover over my super premium cover, hoping to sacrifice it to the sun gods instead. We'll see.