Looking for a cover for trailering long distance

T&M2619

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I saw there was a topic on a "winter cover" but didn't want to hijack that post.  But we are looking for a cover for trailering.  We will be trailering it about 700 miles to another state in a month or so and I know the mooring cover is not acceptable for long distance.  Want to protect it from the rain & general road film, dirt, bugs, etc.

I did see that some of you have had covers made by an upholstery shop, but was hoping someone might know of something that would fit our Benny without having one made.  We are little short on time too to find a solution.  

Anyone find one that works or have any ideas?  Did think about the shrink wrap but will also be picking the boat up in April and bringing back.  So at $270 each time as this might be a yearly thing for a few years, that starts to get expensive, rather purchase or have something made.

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

~ Trish
 
I saw there was a topic on a "winter cover" but didn't want to hijack that post.  But we are looking for a cover for trailering.  We will be trailering it about 700 miles to another state in a month or so and I know the mooring cover is not acceptable for long distance.  Want to protect it from the rain & general road film, dirt, bugs, etc.

I did see that some of you have had covers made by an upholstery shop, but was hoping someone might know of something that would fit our Benny without having one made.  We are little short on time too to find a solution.  

Anyone find one that works or have any ideas?  Did think about the shrink wrap but will also be picking the boat up in April and bringing back.  So at $270 each time as this might be a yearly thing for a few years, that starts to get expensive, rather purchase or have something made.

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

~ Trish
Or search here for "towing cover", lots of good threads like this one:

http://club.benningtonmarine.com/index.php?/topic/2398-custom-cover/?hl=%2Btowing+%2Bcover#entry22912
 
I did a bunch of searching for a towing cover and to no avail was able to find anything. I know you may be short on time but you'll never get the fit and finish of a custom cover. I actually modified my trailer as they requested to make the cover go under the rub rail all the way around the boat. Also covers the motor down to the lower unit. Don't ask how I know but it's made multiple 300 mile trips to upstate NY averaging a good 75-80MPH without any issues, actually picked up my fuel mileage and the best part... it's always clean when I get there!! Best of luck finding a cover, if you'd like some pictures please feel free to ask! 
 
Thanks so much Link, TomS & adkboater for your input and help!  I did find a company, Carver Covers that makes them to custom fit a Bennington.  They have dimensions for an 2014 22' SFX, so I need to check or give them the specs they need for the 2016.  They may be the same, not sure yet.  But I will send those to them tomorrow and see what they come up with.  The price range for the 2014 22' SFX with the highest grade was around $562.00.   That sounds pretty good.  

So, I'll let you know what I find out!  

Thanks again for your help!  Much appreciated!

~ Trish
 
Here is a photo of the type cover they offer.  Anyone else interested, it's www.carvercovers.com.

7 year warranty on the highest grade fabric.

A quarter inch shock cord ensures your cover will fit tightly around your hull, snugging 3-6” below the rubrail.

feature_shock.jpg
(copied from their website)

"Help preserve the value of your boat with a cover that is water repellent, mildew resistant, and UV resistant. Our boat covers are excellent for storage, either on dry land or in the water. Sunbrella, Sun-DURA, Polyguard and Poly-Cotton materials are all trailerable with our tie down kit."

boat_pontoon.jpg
 
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I covered the essentials and loved it. Photo in my gallery. (I did have flooring that was easily power washed.)
 
I trailer long distances a lot. I tried ordering a semi-custom like the photo above. It came from National Boat Covers/Eevelle (aka EVIL). There's no way I would ever tow with that thing. It was an awful fit and would have flopped all over the place. I ended up taking my existing mooring cover and having a canvas shop make it tow-worthy by adding tie downs in key places. It's been great. 

cover-straps.JPG
 
Towing a boat that has the aerodynamics of a block of wood is not easy. 

And there's no way I'd ever attempt to tow one of these boats with a cover. 

I have enough hassles in life without  adding one more potential problem. It's easier to just clean the bugs off the front fencing when you arrive at your destination.
 
Towing long distances without a cover has proven to me to be FAR more problematic than with one. 
 
Thanks so much Link, TomS & adkboater for your input and help!  I did find a company, Carver Covers that makes them to custom fit a Bennington.  They have dimensions for an 2014 22' SFX, so I need to check or give them the specs they need for the 2016.  They may be the same, not sure yet.  But I will send those to them tomorrow and see what they come up with.  The price range for the 2014 22' SFX with the highest grade was around $562.00.   That sounds pretty good.  

So, I'll let you know what I find out!  

Thanks again for your help!  Much appreciated!

~ Trish
Trish, which one do they consider the "Highrst Grade" fabric? 
 
I trailer long distances a lot. I tried ordering a semi-custom like the photo above. It came from National Boat Covers/Eevelle (aka EVIL). There's no way I would ever tow with that thing. It was an awful fit and would have flopped all over the place. I ended up taking my existing mooring cover and having a canvas shop make it tow-worthy by adding tie downs in key places. It's been great. 

cover-straps.JPG
bcpnick, that looks like a great option and I trust your opinion on towing covers because you tow longer distance than anyone else I know.  Ballpark the cost for us and how long have you been towing with this cover with no problems
 
  Sun-DURA

Excellent Quality

100% Solution Dyed Polyester means Sun-DURA™ colors are part of the polyester fiber itself, rather than the dye adhering only to the surface of the fibers. 7oz. marine grade polyester that offers superior resistance to harmful UV rays, fading, mildew, tearing and overall wear-and-tear. Our own unique finish provides exceptional water repellency while maintaining breathability for the health of the boat. Made in USA. (7 Year Limited Warranty)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Link ~ the above is the info on their highest grade.  They offer four grades.
 
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bcpnick, that looks like a great option and I trust your opinion on towing covers because you tow longer distance than anyone else I know.  Ballpark the cost for us and how long have you been towing with this cover with no problems
To add the straps to the front was inexpensive. I paid something like $400 for all the cover mods they did for me which included a zip-on panel that covers my extended back deck. That part doesn't work for towing, but it keeps it clean in storage.

My go-to lake is 500-600 miles round trip each time I go. This year I probably put a couple thousand miles pulling the boat with the new modified cover and it performed flawlessly. Towing without a cover had become so frustrating. Yeah, bug splatter on the front is no fun, but even worse is parts of the boat flying out. Cushions, hatch covers, etc. Rain was also a problem. We had a trip where it dumped on us on the way down and the wind blew one of the seats open. I don't know if anything blew out of it, but the rain soaked everything inside. And of course the carpet is all soaked. And without a cover you have to be so careful about leaving anything on the boat, even under seats since they can blow open. 
 
Thanks for the replies Trish & Nick
 
Planning a trip to FL with the Benny Mark????

It would be pretty easy for a dealer to weld another bracket on the starboard toon and add the anodes.
 
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A consideration Lakeliving, also thought about bringing our 2 seadoos down this year instead but really just planning for next year as I should have been down there by now.  Our Florida snowbirds has taken a wrong turn this year so that we can help my sister recover, she is moving into our house here on Nov 7 following her discharge from rehab following a brain tumor operation.  Her husband died earlier this year so she will stay with us until we are all confident that she can live on her own again and then she will move back to her home in New Jersey
 
To add the straps to the front was inexpensive. I paid something like $400 for all the cover mods they did for me which included a zip-on panel that covers my extended back deck. That part doesn't work for towing, but it keeps it clean in storage.

My go-to lake is 500-600 miles round trip each time I go. This year I probably put a couple thousand miles pulling the boat with the new modified cover and it performed flawlessly. Towing without a cover had become so frustrating. Yeah, bug splatter on the front is no fun, but even worse is parts of the boat flying out. Cushions, hatch covers, etc. Rain was also a problem. We had a trip where it dumped on us on the way down and the wind blew one of the seats open. I don't know if anything blew out of it, but the rain soaked everything inside. And of course the carpet is all soaked. And without a cover you have to be so careful about leaving anything on the boat, even under seats since they can blow open. 

bcpnick ~  I appreciate you sharing your photos and input on the cover!  I would agree trailering a boat long distance without a cover would lead to  more work and headaches.  So a good cover would be a good investment for us, as we would be traveling almost 800 miles one way, at least twice a year in the fall and the spring.  

We haven't made a decision, still researching and asking some other boater friends.  My husband just asked our Bennington dealer today about covers when he was picking up something and they mentioned Carver Covers and TaylorMade.   So will have to check out TaylorMade this weekend.  They sell both and had a catalog for each company, but the salesperson did not know a lot about them, other than they have sold them before.

Thanks again!
 
A consideration Lakeliving, also thought about bringing our 2 seadoos down this year instead but really just planning for next year as I should have been down there by now.  Our Florida snowbirds has taken a wrong turn this year so that we can help my sister recover, she is moving into our house here on Nov 7 following her discharge from rehab following a brain tumor operation.  Her husband died earlier this year so she will stay with us until we are all confident that she can live on her own again and then she will move back to her home in New Jersey
Prayers for her to have a speedy recovery. You are a great brother Mark!
 
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