Make the perfect choice for your water bound vessel
Like sunscreen, the importance of choosing the right cover for your boat is not to be underestimated. Covers play a vital role, and it’ll only be a matter of time before you regret not giving the choice of boat cover the careful consideration it deserves. Your boat may keep you safe as you travel across the seven seas but a quality boat cover will keep your boat in mint condition not only at sea, but also on a trailer, in storage or when moored. Just as important, a good performing cover will keep your boat in tip-top condition for when you decide to sell and up-grade! When it comes to fabrics and boat covers Ricky’s has its fair share of experience. Read on to find out all you need to know before purchasing your next boat cover. It’ll be an investment you won’t regret.
Is a boat cover really that important?
Yes, it is. In fact, boat covers perform a number of important roles including:
- Keeping creatures large and small out
- Protecting your boat’s instruments, interior and exterior from harmful UV rays
- Shielding your boat from rain and snow, debris and dust
- Deterring thieves and reducing the chance of theft
At Ricky Richards, we’d much rather your choice of boat cover go through the following gauntlet before settling. Making sure you take each of the following factors into account will ensure you get the adequate protection for as long as is feasibly possible, and all at a cost that matches the value you’re receiving.
Here’s what each our boat cover team will take into consideration when helping you:
Cost
It’s a no-brainer but also still something we believe shouldn’t be forgotten. What you pay for must match the quality you receive. The factors below will influence how much you will be required to pay.
Type
Custom covers are usually available for the latest and best known boat brands. These covers have been manufactured specifically to fit a certain make and model of boat. Alternatively, custom covers can be purchased from canvas shops that carry that option.
As the name suggests, semi-custom boat covers don’t cater as precisely to the dimensions of a boat by model, year and make; rather they cater to a generic class of boat such as a fishing boat, dinghy boat or bass boat.
Universal boat covers are not made with any specific boat in mind as they are mass produced but will fit your boat, perhaps just not as perfectly. What they lack in fit, they make up for in cost.
Fabric
Boat covers are made using a variety of different fabrics, each offering its own unique set of advantages over the other. These fabrics include mixed blends, polyester, cotton and acrylic. The fabric chosen should complement the environment your boat will be in. For example, if your boat will be in a humid area then a cover made from breathable fabric like Docril will prevent mildew build up.
Some of the other benefits Docril offers includes:
- UV protection
- Water protection
- Durability
- Reduction of solar heat gain by up to 90%
Size
Part and parcel of taking care of your boat cover is ensuring that the cover fits like a glove from the start. Here’s a basic guide to measure your boat.
To find the width, simply measure the widest point of your boat.
To record the length, measure from the tip of the bow to the center of the stern, taking any other extensions into account.
Bonus tip
From time to time, your cover will need a clean. The way in which you clean your cover will determine how long it lasts. Courtesy of our extensive experience, we recommend washing your cover with a mild soap or detergent. Furthermore, do not use a scrub brush as this could damage the material. To rinse off dirt, use a garden hose or resort to compressed air for stubborn dirt.
Make the right choice
If you’re still uncertain about what type of boat cover you should get, contact Ricky’s experts. They are on hand and happy to discuss in further detail how best we can meet your boat cover needs. We have first-rate material that offers comprehensive protection against the elements and value for money.
As a family owned company with a rich history as Australia’s number one distributor of industrial and commercial textiles, Ricky Richards is dedicated to offering you unrivalled quality and variety. Contact us today to find the perfect boat cover for your boat.