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Pontoon Cover

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DLSNFL-1

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I have a 2013 GCW 22' and have had trouble with the Cover. First the plastic vent cover was not installed correctly over the

pre-cut holes...thats fixed but now its a snap problem. Several have broken off from the cover itself and are still attached to the boat. Also some snaps are bent in the front of the boat and no way of snapping the cover over them now. The cover fits so tight

with out the tent stakes, I am wondering how anyone but me could ever get the cover on in the first place due to tightness. There are white chaulk marks on the interior of the cover with numbers, almost like this was a proto-type cover????

Dealer says to take it to a canvas shop and have it fixed, pay for it and they will re-embuse. Is this normal? Wondering if I should have them send me a new cover.....As far as the snaps on the boat being bent, they seem to be in the perfect place to hit my lift. A friend has another brand boat that uses Velcro......wonder if that would work in the front where it hits the lift to eliminate.
 
What kind of lift do you have? Do you have any pics?
 
Shore Station vertical lift. So I have posts to deal with. And a cross breeze will send me into them if not careful. We now unload at dock and I can walk the boat into the lift without trouble. Future plans are for a cantelever without the posts where I can drive the boat right onto.
 
That's simaler to what I nave and I have no problems. I just have to take it easy.
gallery_1200_147_2222868.jpg
 
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I have the pontoon cradle with horizontal guide-ins for my Shorestation to keep me from hitting the supports. Other than lining up for wind/drift, I drive mine right on every time.



As far as the cover, you'll probably have to take both boat and cover to a canvas shop and they line up the snaps and adjust the pole locations so it all works correctly. My dealer usually does this themselves, but sometimes if the fabric needs to be altered it has to go out to a specialist.
 
How do you fix a cover that seems to be ill fitting and too tight?????? I'm sure they can but it's a brand new boat for God's sake! See if you can have another one sent from Bennington and have the dealer custom fit it for you..............
 
The DEALER should address this, not you, unless you damaged the snaps, then maybe I can see where it's not "their" responsibility.

Do you remove the cover by using thumb over snap and two fingers behind fabric, or do you grab the fabric an pull it. You can pull snaps loose if you just yank on the cover. I use the three finger method. Our cover is tight, just enough slack to snap. Again, I put my thumb on snap, two fingers underneath, pinch it and use my thumb to kind of roll the snap onto the base. It gets easier with time. I do know if I don't have the cover over the seats like it sits when completely snapped, it's very hard to snap the front due to the way the fabric is stretched.
 
These are awesome for snapping/unsnapping covers

Top Snapper.jpeg
 
I swivel my seat and lean it back towards the isle. This takes the seat out of contact with the cover and gives you a little more wiggle room. I do this with both covers.
 
I too have a GCW, but a 2012 that we got end of August last year. We, too, are having cover problems. One of the snaps have come off the cover and is on the boat. The over problems are seams separating and tearing. There is one each around the bimini bracket on each side and a seam at the stern is also separating. I have been waiting to hear from the dealer and have reminded him several times. It's been over a month and I'm still waiting. They mentioned that the warranty for the cover is through someone other than Bennington. I told them I wanted a replacement cover due to poor manufacturing with the four defects.
 
I too have chalk marks ,and 2 of the 4 pole vents were not oriented correctly

Not trying to sound like a wise guy ,but I install my poles last by crawling back in ,then the very last thing is the strap over the bimini .

This lube also helps .

http://www.amazon.co...words=snap lube
 
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Yes I do the same. I install the cover, really have to pull the cover over the ends....and crawl back in and install the poles.

I am 6'-4" 290lbs so it is quite an effort. Dealer responded that I bring this to a canvas shop and have it repaired and they would pay me back. He also said he was sending me that tool to remove the snaps at his cost. I also have seams opening up. Have been happy with the dealer customer service as my conversations with them have been addressed. I had a stiff steering situation and they brought a trailer, hundred miles away, took it of off the lake and replaced the hoses at the landing. I understand that the bent snaps

up front are my problem, just was wondering if anyone had a fix around for them. Seems like if I had the bump/rub rail option where would these snaps have been installed? I am also looking into a new lift as some of the pictures above seem like better options.

LOVE THE BOAT!
 
Just for reference, my cover is so tight that it is difficult to get fingers behind the snaps when installed. Hand and finger strenght isn't what it used to be. Too much hard living.
 
I keep one of these snap repair kits around as it is inevitable that they get smashed or pulled through. It's very easy to do if you have the tool.

This just has a small anvil you smack with a hammer and works so so.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Handi-Man-47-Piece-Canvas-Fastener-Repair-Kit&i=81225&str=snap+repair&merchID=4005

This one has a much better tool, still only $25.

http://www.overtons.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?pdesc=Overtons-73-Piece-Snap-Kit&i=81226&str=snap+repair&merchID=4005
 
I use that same technique, start at the bow, snap all the way to the back on both sides except the gate, crawl through and put the poles in last, crawl out the back gate and snap the last 3. I also recline the driver's seat as much as possible to make it easier.
 
If you had the rubrail the snaps would be above it.
 
I don't have any problem putting the poles in as I go. I start in either the front or the back, snap a couple feet at a time on one side, then switch and snap a couple feet on the other. I put the poles in as I get to them. They have stayed put for me just fine. The trick is to know which pole goes where ahead of time, because it's pretty much impossible to adjust the poles just right on the fly. Just number them front to back.
 
I install cover completely then climb in through port door and install poles. Numbering won't work for me as I collapse them every time we uncover so I can store them in lounge storage. I think we can cover ours complete, in under 5 minutes now.

I'm so anal about uncovering that I fold n roll it to the size of a 5 gallon bucket and use the rear strap to hold it rolled, and it makes a good carry handle too.
 
I've tried it a number of ways, all seem to work the same, the common denominator I have found is the last pole; I insert it into the vent, but I leave it limp. Then when all the snaps are in I grab the vent and lift until the cover is taught. Throw the strap over the Bimini , click and good to go.
 
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