Traveling with OEM boat cover. Damage ?

[Ricks]

Will interstate speeds damage a OEM Yamaha boat cover ? Leaving for Florida Monday.

 

[Crob83]

Will interstate speeds damage a OEM Yamaha boat cover ? Leaving for Florida Monday.

Mooring cover, shipping cover? Which cover

 

[Cparker2]

Mooring cover, shipping cover? Which cover

I travel interstate with both - no damage.

I travel with mooring cover to lake twice week - 2 hours r/t - no damage in summer.

I suggest remove poles from mooring cover. Also suggest placing sliced tube floaters around window rim - it’ll help prevent rub spots and holes in covers.

 

[sunbyrned]

The gelcoat chaffed on my boat all around the edges of the mooring cover. Some say it needs to be ratcheted real tight to prevent that. Maybe so. I’m a little reluctant to travel with the cover any more. I don’t really see the need for it. My cushions are secure. I just put the cover in the head compartment until I arrive to where I’m going.

 

[tdonoughue]

I tried that once (going without a cover on the highway--after reading a similar post here). I had stowed the cushions, but had the original snap-in carpet in. Ripped the carpet out by the snaps (leaving the snap in the floor, with the carpet flapping in the wind). So, not saying you can't do it, but make sure EVERYTHING is secure and that cushions, carpet, wires, straps and the like all will not cause damage exposed to or flapping in high wind.

 

[sunbyrned]

I will also add to this that I believe those who say to strap it up tightly. That makes sense. I’m just reluctant to try it again. I’m just giving something to consider.

 

[Cparker2]

I will also add to this that I believe those who say to strap it up tightly. That makes sense. I’m just reluctant to try it again. I’m just giving something to consider.

I strap so tight that I can hardly tighten them any more.

 

[212s]

I will also add to this that I believe those who say to strap it up tightly. That makes sense. I’m just reluctant to try it again. I’m just giving something to consider.

If it's the newer strapless covers made by OuterArmor they will not chafe the gelcoat. You tighten the rachet until you can't pull it anymore with your pinky finger (seriously, that's what the manual says) and that should be fine. The mooring cover will suction down on the boat and not rub. We won't trailer without it, unless it's around the corner to a ramp under 30mph. Older covers might not work as well and many recommend tape or pool noodles to help.

 

[212s]

I strap so tight that I can hardly tighten them any more.

Careful you don't overtighten - if yours has the snap buckles on the sides, they're only plastic and could break as the rachets and strap are very strong. My dealer said to make it snug but not too tight when we picked up the boat, and the manual mentioned the "pinky test" method to ensure it's not too tight.

 

[BigAbe75]

Careful you don't overtighten - if yours has the snap buckles on the sides, they're only plastic and could break as the rachets and strap are very strong. My dealer said to make it snug but not too tight when we picked up the boat, and the manual mentioned the "pinky test" method to ensure it's not too tight.

Going with just snug beat up the decals on both sides of my transom. I’ve never had any scratches or noticeable rubs anywhere else. I pull mine down tight now, and have had no additional scratches. I guess I’ll try to keep an eye on the plastic latches... I hadn’t given that much thought.

4 6hr tows this summer, so far.

 

[Ricks]

I have towed the boat twice to lakes with ratchets very tight with no problems but never over 55 mph. I like the idea of using extra protection on windshield edges and I will look for other areas that might scrub the cover.
I washed and waxed the boat and didn’t want to arrive in Florida with bugs covering it.
Thanks guys for the information .

 

[Ricks]

If it's the newer strapless covers made by OuterArmor they will not chafe the gelcoat. You tighten the rachet until you can't pull it anymore with your pinky finger (seriously, that's what the manual says) and that should be fine. The mooring cover will suction down on the boat and not rub. We won't trailer without it, unless it's around the corner to a ramp under 30mph. Older covers might not work as well and many recommend tape or pool noodles to help.

I did notice the cover will suction down on the boat at higher speeds. I was worried it might rip the cover. New Yamaha custom covers are high dollar. But protecting the new boat is my first concern .

 

[Bubbjr7]

I brought the boat home with the white shipping cover. Thought I had it tight enough. When we arrived home after our two and a half hour trip I noticed the cover tore at the seams near the tower mounts. I also noticed that billowed a lot in the wind during our travels. I have not tried the white cover since in fear of tearing it more.

 

[Ricks]

Mooring cover, shipping cover? Which cover

Mooring cover. The newest model

 

[Plpbecks]

I just completed a 1400 mile tow with the premium mooring cover. I used the inflated tube on top of the sun pads, with the anti pooling strap in place, but the poles removed. This setup worked well, did not get the typical deflection in the cover.

Side straps were extremely tight, and I still got some gel coat chafing on the back 1/4 of the sides of the boat on the way down. I had some blue painters tape in my kit, and covered these areas under the cover for the return trip with no issues. I’d recommend doing this if you’re going on a long haul. I’d cover essentially from the pissers to the transom 2” above and below the cover.

 

[ZGhost]

I like the blue painters tape idea, seems like a very easy and cheap insurance!

 

[Julian]

When I tow long distances (like to Fort Lauderdale) I do the following:

1. Cover with the shipping cover.
2. I either use painter tape AND packing cling wrap to cover the exposed tower fronts. The cling wrap is cheap and covers faster. Tape holds it in place at edges
3. Ensure I have lug wrench and trailer jack handy.
4. Take one of those hardened circular protected locks and use it on the swing away tongue (remove the pin, bend the tongue, lock the hole, take pin with me)
5. Have trailer brakes inspected

 

[Dixie Highway]

We are currently on our 3rd trip from Chicago to Florida (1000 miles) and I use the mooring cover every time. The only issues I have are at the windshield corners, I recommend some foam or something to soften the edges there. I am starting to get some tears there after 2 years. Same cover and boat you have. For what it’s worth, you will still have to clean the t top as it will be full of bugs. My next cover will be custom with a cover to the tower to prevent that.

 

[Ricks]

When I tow long distances (like to Fort Lauderdale) I do the following:

1. Cover with the shipping cover.
2. I either use painter tape AND packing cling wrap to cover the exposed tower fronts. The cling wrap is cheap and covers faster. Tape holds it in place at edges
3. Ensure I have lug wrench and trailer jack handy.
4. Take one of those hardened circular protected locks and use it on the swing away tongue (remove the pin, bend the tongue, lock the hole, take pin with me)
5. Have trailer brakes inspected

Thank you for the reminder, I didn’t even think about lug wrench and jack for trailer. I have the spare tire chain locked But I need a locking pin for swing away tongue.

 

[Ricks]

We are currently on our 3rd trip from Chicago to Florida (1000 miles) and I use the mooring cover every time. The only issues I have are at the windshield corners, I recommend some foam or something to soften the edges there. I am starting to get some tears there after 2 years. Same cover and boat you have. For what it’s worth, you will still have to clean the t top as it will be full of bugs. My next cover will be custom with a cover to the tower to prevent that.

Thanks for the information, I will get something for windshield today. The mooring cover will definitely be on my boat for the trip.