malibu owners

I just got a new wakesetter vlx and was wondering if any of you have the snap on cover. I saw one a couple of days ago but my dealer said it would be about 750 installed. Should I even get one? Does anyone know where I can get one cheaper?

Ryan

Ryan - I would stay away from the snap on covers, Just my 2-cents, They look nice & clean but if ya keep your boat out & it rains I've seen them pop the snaps out of the hull and your left with little holes all over.

WAKEON.COM

I would never want to drill that many holes in my boat, just my opinion.

some of them don't use many snaps and if properly made are great. I work at a marina and have seen all types of covers and a properly made snap on mooring cover is the best out there. The rope ones never get tight enough and are more of a pain. I used to have one on my 98 sunsetter lxi with the pulley's and fought using snaps on my last boat (02 wakesetter lxi) but after having them would never go back. They hold better and with properly adjusted poles and a proper fit they are great. Just make sure your dealer is not trying to sell you a pre-made cover with snaps because a lot of the time the snaps don't line up in good locations and usually they have a TON of snaps. I jsut had one installed on my 2003 VLX, if i ever get a chance to go back home I will take some pictures for you.

(Message edited by wkerat on March 31, 2003)

Check out my cover over on MalibuboatOwners. It has a total of 8 (or it may be 6) snaps in the gelcoat, and holds the water out excellently. It was around $400. http://www.malibuboatowners.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album18
I made use of the tow eyes and grab handle to eliminate the need for snaps

We're going to stick with the conventional cover for our VLX, but we've also ordered a custom bow cover with snaps. We would use this on days where we're faced with rougher water and run the risk of taking on too much water over the bow. We're paying roughly $180 USD.

I just spent my first couple of days with our new VLX and taking water over the bow is something you would have to try to do. Awsome boat! forget the bow cover.

hey dave where did you get it, or did you make it yourself?

I had a local boat trim shop make it, its Sunbrella. I was very specific with the instructions, they usually make them so they are towable and have snaps every 12"-18". I didn't want that many snaps. The amount needed to keep water off are nothing compared to holding it on at 70 mph. The only thing I screwed up, was not being specific enough about the cleat area, they had cut it all the way to the edge, and I just wanted a hole with a flap over it. They had to go back and add a section to fill the gap. This also led to a snap that wasn't needed.
-dave

Snaps, snaps and more snaps. I don't even notice them anymore.

My local dealer, Land O' Lakes Marine, offered up a pretty good idea regarding snap-on covers.

They screw the snaps into the underside of the rub rail. The only snaps in the gelcoat are between the windshield and the rub rail in the bow and in the passenger area, about 8 for the entire boat. You can visualize where these might be on Swass' boat above.

All others are more or less hidden on the under side of the rub rail or on the window frame.

Pretty slick!

That works great ......unless you are going to be tied up next to something....like a dock or a houseboat. Fenders will wear the cover real fast. I have a storage cover, so I needed somthing for cover while in the water.

And, the snaps are prone to damage from docks and other obstacles that you tie up next to. I've seen dozens of snaps damaged, no matter how careful you are.

Swass..can you tow with that on? I think it's sweet and really would like to get one like that built for my LSV.

Thanks! I sure can...that's why I got it.

I'm gonna have to majorly modify my old cover to work with my new tower and I don't like it anyway. I'm thinking I'd rather go the route you did!!!!

Talked to my dealer today asking him who does good upholstery work around here....he adamently discourages towing with ANY cover on, says he had a guy tow a boat in from out of town just the other day and the cockpit cover blew off, tore all the snaps right out of the fiberglass.

That has nothing to do with towing, and everything to do with a •••••• installation. I can't image towing mine WITHOUT one. Ask him how many he's seen that didn't blow off, and then ask how far apart the snaps are on the one that he's referring to. It sounds to me like it didn't have enough, so air was able to get under the cover. My interior looks almost new; I'm convinced it's because I keep it covered (and I keep it in a garage).

The guy who did mine guarantees his snaps. If I lose one for any reason, he'll replace it for free. I've towed mine at 70+ for several years, and I've had about 50 lbs of water sitting on it on many occasions. Aside from a bit of fading, it looks like it did from day one.

(Message edited by swass on April 03, 2003)

I agree and no I haven't asked him that, BUT I WILL!!!!

How does your cover hang on at 80+ (I drive fast!!!)

I guess my problem is going to be finding the right guy to make a cover. Upon quick investigation (yellow pages) none are jumping right out at me.

It did great at 80+ (but my tire didn't).

Doh!!!!

How do I decide which of the "custom boat cover" guys in the phone book to choose from?

Mine was recommended to me by my dealer. He won't use anyone else.

Ask for a few references. If they are reluctant to give you any, look elsewhere. I would also stop by the shop - just to see if he has any boats there that he's working on. Some like to say "yeah, we do boats all the time" when they really don't. Also, ask him (or her) to describe how the snaps are installed on the hull. He should be able to give you minute details (e.g., "sharp tools are critical..."). And the deal clincher, of course, is: "Do you warranty your snaps?" If he's confident in his work, these questions won't pose a problem.

For a nice Sunbrella cover that's installed well, you're looking at between $600 - 700.

Call the guy who did mine:

Auto Weave Upholstery
Ron Nelson (owner)
(303) 288-6222

Ask him what you need to look for and the right questions to ask when shopping around. Ron's a great guy...he'll be happy to help. Tell him I said "hi."

Thanks man, 'preciate it.

Ask a few well placed questions as well. If you go with a "snap on" cover, ensure they use stainless snaps. Just as important, find out if they screw them in or use rivets and find out what material is used in the screw or rivet. If you have your boat in salt or brackish water, you'll want to ensure they are stainless as well; otherwise, you may have a corrosion problem down the road (due to incompatible metals).

Another tip: put a bit of vaseline on the snap to prevent any water from pooling inside the snap (again, more important if you run in salt or brackish water).

Good luck!

Which works best and holds up the best, snaps held on with rivets or screws?

I'd assume rivets since screws inevitably work their way loose.

Don't make me dial the phone for you!

Okay, Okay...tomorrow I promise!!!!!!

Swass, I just got off the phone with Ron. He's a super nice guy and makes one heck of a nice cover it sounds like.

I'd love to find someone around here that does one like how he does.

Thanks for the hook up.

BTW....he asked me what was up with your cleanliness tendencies???

HA! He did not!