If you want your boat to last for a long period of time then one of the best things you can do to protect it, is to get yourself a boat cover.
A boat cover will help to keep your boat from fading in the sun and it will help to keep both the things onboard your boat, as well as the boat itself, in better shape.
Boat covers come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes and they often come with a bunch of other boating products.
It is extremely important to make sure that you know what you should look for so that you aren’t disappointed with what you get and so that your boat and contents on your boat are properly protected.
We share some of our top boat cover recommendations as well as some shopping tips below.
Best Boat Covers for the Money
What To Consider Before Buying
In order to assist you with your shopping, we have come up with a buyer’s guide that you can use in order to inform yourself about the various aspects of a boat cover and what makes certain things important.
We have also come up with a list of our picks for some quality boat covers in order to make the process of looking for one a lot easier for you and to show you some real life examples of what quality looks like.
Size:
The most important thing to do when you are shopping around for a boat cover is to make sure that you buy the proper size.
An improper size boat cover is going to either not cover your boat properly and therefore not protect it fully or it will be too large and therefore won’t be secured well onto your boat.
Always double check to make sure how big your boat is and double check to make sure that you are buying the correct size cover before making a purchase.
Accessories:
If you are planning to buy a boat cover and you have no idea what you should be on the lookout for, you should always look at the accessories that come with the cover.
Accessories can make a huge difference to both the price of a product as well as the value of the product you are purchasing.
Look for things like a storage bag for your boat cover so that you don’t damage it when it is not in use.
In addition, it is always nice when the manufacturer includes extra straps with your purchase so that you can make sure everything will always be secure.
A supporting pole is one other important accessory to look for as it will allow you to put on the cover without having to worry about water pooling in your cover potentially flooding your boat and running your cover over time.
Moisture:
One thing that you are going to run into issues with if you leave your boat out for extended periods of time is moisture.
The problem with moisture is that it provides a perfect opportunity for harmful mold to grow and if at all possible, you should take steps to avoid this occurring.
Putting a boat cover on a boat provides an environment that is prone to becoming moist and therefore you should always look for a cover that has vents in the design so that moisture can escape.
You may argue that vents aren’t great because it allows bugs to get into the boat, but a moldy boat is not a boat that is safe to be on in a lot of cases and it is going to be a lot harder to clean than getting rid of a few bugs.
Wind Problems:
If you have a boat cover that doesn’t have a lot of support in its design, you run the risk of the cover flying right off of the boat.
If the wind hits the cover in the right direction and swoops into the vent of a boat cover, it can create quite a bit of pressure on the cover and can result in a poor quality design blowing away.
To avoid this, look for a boat cover that has a lot of straps and you should also look for a boat cover that has things like a support pole and a quality seal all the way around the entire length of the boat.
Attachment method:
Different boat covers are secured to boats in different fashions.
It is always important to look at how the cover attaches so that you can have a better idea if you are buying yourself a quality cover.
Most boat covers on the market attach to your boat by buckles or straps and depending on the quality, you will notice that there are differences.
The best units on the market use quick release buckles and quality, thick, adjustable straps to make sure that your boat is nicely secured.
Warranty:
If you want to make sure that your boat cover is going to last you for a long time, then truly the best thing that you can look for is a warranty that extends out over a long period of time.
It is a good idea to read through company warranty on a boat cover, before going ahead and buying one as the coverage can range from product to product.
It is always important to make sure that you get something that offers you the protection that you want first of all, but warranty should almost definitely be the 2nd thing you look at as it can give you a great idea of how long you can expect the product to last for before running into problems with the design.
Our Boat Cover Reviews
To give you a better idea of which products are the best choice for your boating needs, then take a moment to read our reviews below.
MSC Heavy Duty 600D Marine Grade Polyester Canvas Trailerable Waterproof Boat Cover Review
- Made of marine grade polyester canvas with double PU Coating
- Designed for both long-term storage, mooring and highway travel
- Includes adjustable straps and storage bag; 2 Year limited warranty
- Recommend use boat cover support pole system
Last update on 2024-10-04 at 14:43 / Affiliate disclosure / Images & pricing from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you want to make sure that you are getting yourself a quality boat cover, you won’t go wrong if you decide to purchase this design.
This is a very nice boat cover made up of high-quality polyester canvas material.
The cover is available in multiple sizes and it even comes in four different color options so that you can get something that suits both your personal tastes as well as the color of your boat.
Pros:
- The boat cover comes in beige, forest green, navy as well as Pacific Blue
- The design of this cover is built so that it is UV damage and mildew resistant
- The boat comes in a 14-16 foot design a 20-22 foot design as well as a 23-24 foot design
- The product comes with a three-year limited warranty on it to give you some peace of mind buying this product
- The boat cover is made of high-grade polyester canvas, but it also has a double PU coating to give it some more durability
- This boat cover design has quick release buckles and an elastic seal so that it stays nicely secured to your boat
- The unit comes with a very nice storage bag so that you don’t accidentally wreck your boat cover when you aren’t using it
- The quick release straps on this unit are adjustable so that you can make sure that your boat is properly secured at all times
- The lower price tag of this boat cover appeals to a broad audience
Cons:
- Not a super heavy duty cover so you may want to cover up sharp objects within your boat
Verdict:
If you are looking to get quality for a pretty low price tag, you should make sure that you look carefully at what this design has to offer.
This is a great boat cover that is more than capable of staying secured to your boat thanks to the quality quick release straps on the unit.
As long as you don’t need a super heavy duty cover and you want something that both looks good and is easy to take on and off, you should definitely think about purchasing this design.
Brightent Boat Cover Heavy Duty 600D Three Sizes Water Proof Trailer Fishing Cover Review
This is a very nice low priced boat cover that you may want to consider if it comes in a size that you need.
This boat cover comes in three different sizes and is made out of a durable polyester material.
The unit fits on the boat quite snugly and is quite capable of being able to protect your boat from the elements after it is installed.
Pros:
- The boat comes in three different sizes including a 14-16 foot design, a 17-19 foot design as well as a 20-22 foot design
- The unit has a PU coating built into its design
- You will find that this unit is waterproof and extremely secure
- The cover has an 18-meter extra belt, which will allow you to tighten anywhere you need from the front to the rear of the boat
- The unit uses double stitching in its design to help the cover be able to last for a longer period of time
- You will find that the bottom hem of the unit uses an elastic to help provide more security
- There are 4 upper and four lower belts on the unit so that you can easily secure the unit
- Great customer support that is more than willing to help you solve your issues
- This unit comes with a storage bag, which is ideal for storing your cover or other materials when you aren’t using them
Cons:
- This is not a heavy duty cover and you may not want to put sharp things around and under the unit
Verdict:
As long as you aren’t looking for something that is super heavy duty, you are going to be pretty happy with what this design has to offer.
With its waterproof design, it is more than able to make sure that your personal boating items stay nice and dry.
The unit is very secure and the fact that this product comes with a relatively low price tag really helps to sweeten up the deal.
This is definitely a very nice boat cover and would be the ideal cover if you are on a budget and want something to help protect your precious boat.
Classic Accessories StormPro Heavy-Duty Boat Cover (With Support Pole For V-Hull Runabouts, 17′ – 19′ L Up to 102″ W) Review
- TRAILERABLE BOAT COVER: Fits boats 17′ – 19′ L, beam width to 102″ W with or without windshield (including V-hull runabouts, outboards and I/O, and others), full cut to allow extra room for accessories such as bow rails and running lights
- MARINE GRADE BOATING ACCESSORIES: Won’t shrink or stretch, designed for extra durability, fabric coating technology for max water repellency, UV protection, mildew resistance and all-weather protection
- INCLUDES SUPPORT POLE: Prevents water from pooling and helps preserve the cover while dual rear air vents with build in stiffeners reduce wind pressure and allows inside moisture to escape
- PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BOATS: Elastic cord gives a tight, custom-like fit while the integrated buckle and strap system allows for easy fitting and trailering, adjustable straps snap into quick-release buckles on the cover
Last update on 2024-10-04 at 14:43 / Affiliate disclosure / Images & pricing from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you have a bit of a higher budget for a boat cover and you want to make sure that you get all of the fancy features, you should make sure that you take a look at what this design has to offer.
This is a very nice unit that is made out of polyester materials.
The unit comes with a variety of accessories to help sweeten the deal and make this product worth every penny.
Pros:
- This is designed to be a heavy-duty boat cover, which is ideal if you have some sharper edges you can’t get rid of or cover up
- The cover is designed so that it won’t shrink or stretch and it is also designed with UV protection and the ability to be able to repel water
- The product comes with a support pole so that you can be sure that there won’t be a water build up on your boat cover when you go to use it
- The cover has an elastic cord built into its design in order to make sure that you have a secure fit each and every time
- The boat cover comes with its own set of tie down straps so that you definitely don’t have to worry about the cover blowing away on you
- The cover has a ton of straps, each with quick release buckles so that you can easily take on or put on the unit as you need
- The unit has a 5-year hassle free warranty, which is ideal if you are worried about potential failure with the product over time
Cons:
- The unit does not come in a variety of different sizes at the checkout and instead only comes in a 17-19 foot range
Verdict:
As long as you have a boat that is compatible with this cover, you are not going to be disappointed with what you get if you decide to purchase this unit.
This is a high-quality boat cover that is built to be able to last for a long time.
Even if you don’t trust that this cover can last you for a long time, the cover is backed by a very generous five-year warranty so you really don’t have a whole lot to worry about if you decide to purchase this product.
If you can afford to purchase this cover and it fits your boat properly, you should definitely make sure that you are at least considering this nice boat cover as an option.
NEH Gray Heavy Duty Waterproof Mooring Boat Cover Fits Length 14′ 15′ 16′ Review
If you want to buy a boat cover that is about the middle of the line as far as price goes, you should make sure that you take a look at what this company has to offer.
This is a very nice boat cover that is capable of being able to fit 20, 21 and 22 foot long boats.
The unit is made out of a polyester material and is designed to be breathable for moisture relief as well as waterproof so that your boat doesn’t get soaked when it rains.
Pros:
- This product comes in an eye appealing gray color design
- The unit comes with a mesh storage bag so that you can make sure that you don’t scratch or damage the unit when you aren’t using it
- The unit incorporates the use of quick release straps so that you can easily put the cover on and take the cover off according to your needs
- This cover has UV protection, which offers long-term sun protection for your boat
- The hem of this cover is designed to offer a very secure fit so that you don’t have to worry about leaking or the cover catching in the wind
Cons:
- Does not come in a variety of color options and the boat cover only fits some sizes of boats
Verdict:
As long as you don’t mind a gray design and you have a boat that this cover fits, you will not be disappointed with what you get out of this cover for the price tag.
This unit may not be the most durable on the market, but it will protect your boat from sun and water damage.
If you don’t need a heavy duty design and you want to get something that is both affordable and relatively easy to use, you may want to take a careful look at this product before making a purchasing decision.
Pinty Oxford Cloth Heavy Duty Waterproof Trailerable Boat Cover fits 16″ 17″ 18″ 19″ Boats with Quick Release Buckle and Strap System Review
- 🚢【SUPER WATERPROOF】Made of ripstop heavy duty marine grade polyester with double PU coating. all the seams use precision double thread stitching and come with the waterproof strip, absolutely waterproof and durable. Plus, extra two-layer reinforced bow & stern for better force bearing performance.
- 🚢【PERFECT SNUG FIT】Fit 17 – 19 ft length, beam width up to 102 inches, Fits fishing V-hull runabout, bass boat, Please measure the size of your boat before purchase.1 YEAR MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY
- 🚢【NON-FADING】Unique dyeing process makes the boat cover’s colorfastness rating up to “”6″” (others only 2~3 ) and comes with anti-aging functions, durable and long-lasting, which means it won’t have the fade problem.
- 🚢【SECURE LOCK WAY】equipped with 12 pcs adjustable straps and quick-release windproof buckles, which allow you to conveniently lock the cover with your boat and prevent it from being blown away. elastic hem ensures a tight fit to provide 360 degrees of all-around protection.
Last update on 2024-10-04 at 14:43 / Affiliate disclosure / Images & pricing from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you are on a really tight budget for a boat cover, you may be interested in what Pinty has to offer.
This company creates some very nice boat covers, for a good price.
The best thing about this boat cover is that it is quick and easy to install.
The boat cover is made out of a polyester design and is designed to be able to hold up through tough weather conditions without tearing off of your boat or breaking in general.
Pros:
- The unit protects your boat from the sun’s UV rays, has water as well as dust and dirt protection
- The unit comes with quick release belts so that you can quickly take the unit off or put it on your boat
- The cover comes with a massive 56-foot tie down rope so that you can be sure that your boat cover isn’t going anywhere
- The unit has double stitched seams, which helps to increase the longevity of the product
- An anti-moisture bag comes with this product, which is ideal if you are storing the cover in a basement or outside
- Guarantee from the manufacturer for a full refund if you aren’t satisfied within 30 days after purchasing the cover
- The low price tag of the unit is extremely appealing if you are on a budget or if you are just looking for a good boat cover in general
Cons:
- This boat cover is designed to be a universal fit for boats with a 16 to 19-foot hull and therefore may not produce the most secure fit
- The cover may not come in a size that is capable of fitting your boat, which may mean you have to look elsewhere for a cover
- The unit is made out of 300D polyester rather than the regular 600D, which makes this design a little more prone to rips and scratches
Verdict:
As long as this cover can fit onto your boat, you are going to have a hard time saying no to this cover thanks to its low price tag.
Although this unit may not have the most secure fit on the market, it is definitely designed to be able to last through bad weather and extended use.
The fact that this unit comes with a storage bag for this low of a price tag is quite surprising and definitely adds to the value of this low priced deal.
If you are on a budget and you want to get something that will protect your boat, but that is also easy to use, you should definitely think hard about whether this product could work for you.
Final Words
After reading this article, hopefully, you now feel as though you have a better understanding of what you should look for in a boat cover.
It isn’t easy to pick one out as there are a lot of them on the market, but it is a very important piece of equipment to have if you want to keep your boat in good shape.
It is extremely important to make sure that the cover that you are purchasing is capable of being able to fit properly over your boat.
If you are unsure of the size of boat you have, you should always remember to take proper measurements beforehand or look in the owner’s manual to make sure that you buy the correct size boat cover to suit your needs.
Best of luck in finding an awesome boat cover and hope that you have fun out on the water.