New custom boat cover for SX230 with Samson tower questions about bimini

[Whiskey]

We are having a custom cover made for our 2005 SX230 with a Samson tower replacing a Yamaha factory cover that was modified for the rack.

I have a couple questions I thought I would bounce of all of you guys since we are new to boating:

1: He doesn't want to have the cover go over the bimini top so that there is less chance of water pooling and no poles. We are new to boating but I think this will be a hassle with the bimini on and off. We currently keep it on but havn't used it yet as it's not really hot in WA state yet. Any advice here?

2: He asked if we need the cleats to have access holes in the cover. I don't see why we would most of the time, but plan on vacationing with the boat and could see where we would want to be able to tie the boat up with the cover on.

I'm wondering now if we should just get another Yamaha factory cover and then have it modified for the rack.

Any input appreciated.

 

[captainhook]

Well I don’t have a tower but nobody answered so I’ll throw in my two cents. I think you should have him make the tower how he wants and not over the Bimini. It does seem like it might pool water. It would probably make it easier to put on but the trade offs may not be worth it. I don’t use my Bimini but I would not store the boat with it deployed.

Regarding the cleats having access holes, I think you should have them. You never know when you might need them and factory cover seems a little more secure with those inserts going around the cleats.

If you can get a custom cover for a decent price, I think that’s the way to go for you since you’d need to modify the factory one anyway. The factory cover material has not impressed me but the custom Sunbrella price I got was $3500, which is insane so I stuck with the factory cover.

 

[Whiskey]

I tried to get a custom cover through Craft Covers in Everett and it was a complete headache. He didn’t honor his quoted price if the swim deck was covered as the swim deck was “an add on”. He couldn’t meet his 3-5 day time frame despite me working with him to schedule an appointment. I left the boat there for the work week and picked it up pretty frustrated this past Friday. I could deal with not having the Bimini covered and he would add four cleat ports but didn’t want to add the fuel access port with out another up charge. If you want a Yamaha custom cover avoid that shop.

I just ordered a Yamaha cover. I actually like the Yamaha cover and will just get the new cover modified.

 

[captainhook]

Yeah the one person I got the $3500 price from was a huge hassle to deal with too. It took me a couple of weeks of chasing after her to even get a price.

I love the fitment of the factory cover, but the material seems pretty lacking in terms of longevity.

 

[Whiskey]

Yeah the one person I got the $3500 price from was a huge hassle to deal with too. It took me a couple of weeks of chasing after her to even get a price.

I love the fitment of the factory cover, but the material seems pretty lacking in terms of longevity.

The one that came with our boat is 14 years old roughly. It was the origional tha tcame with and has been patched several times. That's not too bad for cover that costs as much as it does and fits that well. There's no way I can justify a $2500+ cover for the boat. I'll just buy more Yamaha covers over time.

 

[captainhook]

Unfortunately I can confidently say that your new Yamaha cover will probably not last nearly that long. I think the general consensus around here is 3-4 years. I think the 24’ covers are nicer and thicker but the OEM Yamaha cover I bought last year hasn’t impressed me much.

That being said, I can buy at least six Yamaha covers for what the custom quote was so even if each lasts 3 years, we’re still taking 18 years.

 

[Whiskey]

Unfortunately I can confidently say that your new Yamaha cover will probably not last nearly that long. I think the general consensus around here is 3-4 years. I think the 24’ covers are nicer and thicker but the OEM Yamaha cover I bought last year hasn’t impressed me much.

That being said, I can buy at least six Yamaha covers for what the custom quote was so even if each lasts 3 years, we’re still taking 18 years.

I hear you and that's a shame. But I need to say that Id rather buy a factory cover and have if modified than deal with the asshats that make the custom covers.