Modding a cover

Ok so my biggest pet peeve these days is my trailing cover. I use that cover instead of the snap on since my boat sits on a lift and the snap on does not protect as well (nor does it keep as many bugs out).

My problem is the velcro channel and the clip idea that they used to get around the tower legs. It takes me way to long to put the cover back on the boat and it pisses me off. I can be in the boat and on the water in five mins but it is a 20 minute process to get the cover back on.

My initial thought is to put a clip on both ends of the velcro channel part by each of the four tower legs. That would alleviate the need for em to fish the rope through there each time and making putting the cover on pretty easy. Think it would work but looking for other, better ideas.

How does your cover work around the tower legs???

Ok More info because I prob explained that pretty bad.

Here is a pic from Monsters site.



My cover functions just like this AND IT SUCKS. There has to be a better way. Whatcha got for me?

"I can be in the boat and on the water in five mins but it is a 20 minute process to get the cover back on."

That would be about right, maybe five less for me. Just how it is imo, never found an easier way but not worth getting pissed off over either. Breathe deep, yoga helps..

I think my Rankin is the same way, although I have zippers instead of velcro.

On my cover, there are two breaks in the string that goes around under the rub rail. They are between the tower legs on each side of the boat. And their tough to reach from inside the boat, over the windshield. The process takes me about 10 minutes. I suppose you could have 4 hooks in the string, but I'm not sure that would do much to shorten the process.

Mine operates the same way. But I ditched those clip deals. I got tired of someone banging them on my boat. I can get mine off and back on in pretty much the same amount of time. How are you taking the cover off? Maybe thats why putting it on take sooo long,maybe? I undo everything and fold the part we are looking at here over the windshield. Then with the cover still on the nose I fold the front sides over too. Then I stand on the swimstep and pull the cover back tight and get the entire thing lengthwise to into the middle. Then I jump off the step, go to front and unhook the nose, then go back to the back and fold the cover up from the back to the front into a roll..the nose piece ends up on the outside of the roll. Then when ready to put back on I hook the nose and roll cover over the windshield, over the drivers seat, and to the back of the boat (all without not getting in the boat, but you could) then just pull the cover down in proper places and tighten the rope..done! That may be hard to understand, I can see it in my head.

There's really no other way to do it and retain the functionality of the cinch rope.

Putting the cover on the boat is not the issue. The issue is the velcro and closing that back up (and here is the key) without the velcro touching the rope so you can pull it tight.

My though was to have the piece of rope inside the velcro channel be the same length with a clip on either end to avoid having to feed it back through each time I put it back on.

That would be about right, maybe five less for me. Just how it is imo, never found an easier way but not worth getting pissed off over either. Breathe deep, yoga helps..

LOL, the only problem that I hate it is because it sucks to take the boat out for a quick spin after dinner or something and then put the cover back on. If it were easier to put the cover on, I would be more apt to taking her out for shorter trips. If I leave the cover off for the night the boat becomes an insect graveyard.

By Manzo (zo1)
My though was to have the piece of rope inside the velcro channel be the same length with a clip on either end to avoid having to feed it back through each time I put it back on.

If you did this, the rope would still have to be able to slide for the cinch function to work. And when you were removing the cover, you'd have to make sure the hooks were out so you can reach them without fishing for them.

I thought zippers were a PITA. Sounds like velcro is worse.

BTW, the process of uncovering the boat I use is to get on the swim platform, unhook everything, and roll the cover forward. I climb in the boat, roll the cover some more, unzip the cover from the rear tower legs, roll, unhook the drawstring between the tower legs, roll the cover up over the windshield, open the windshield, unzip the cover from the front tower legs, and roll the cover all the way forward. Fold it in 3rds & stick it under the playpen cushion.

Reverse the process for putting the cover on. Start at the bow, unroll, zip up & hook up as I move back, ending at the swimstep & then step off the dock. Either process takes me about 5 - 10 minutes.

(Message edited by bill_airjunky on May 12, 2009)

If you did this, the rope would still have to be able to slide for the cinch function to work. And when you were removing the cover, you'd have to make sure the hooks were out so you can reach them without fishing for them.

Yea, I know. My though is once I get the velcro done once I wont have to do it again. I can leave some extra rope ends hanging out on either side of the velcro channel. That way, once you cinch it up and the hooks are now inside the channel, then I can easily pull the rope ends to get access to the hooks without messing with the velcro.

I too remove and put the cover on the same way. If not for the velcro PITA I could have the cover on in < 5 mins easy as I do not use the poles inside the boat or anything...

Hey i hear ya, just funnin'! LOL! Anyway mine is the same and unfortunately i've yet to see an easy one. The wife and i tag team the cover and can do it real quick so we just live with it.

OK, how about this idea:

Cut your drawstring in all the right places, so that you have four hooks, one at each tower leg. Put the piece of each side of the drawstring inside the velcro & seal it up, permanently if you like. If each of these sections has a little extra rope past the hooks at each end, then you could install a grommet at each end of the velcro. Push the drawstring end thru it & tie a knot. It'll never slide inside too far for you to reach. And you'll never have to undo the velcro. As long as there is enough rope between the hook & the velcro, there should be plenty to cinch up the drawstring.

Bill, you hit my idea on the head (though I like the added idea of the grommet!) That is exactly what I am thinking and I am thinking that it should work!]

Me likey the Photochop too!

I will report back on my success if that is the case. Heading to the lake this weekend so I will be trying it out!

Yep, I think having the extra length knotted thru the grommet will keep the rope captive inside the velcroed cover, yet still have enough length to make the drawstring function the way it's supposed to.

And the mod doesn't really mess anything up. Worst case you go back to what your doing & have a few extra grommets in there.

Good luck with it. Look forward to hearing how it works for you.