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Unread 05-22-2010, 01:51 PM
Fishwhisperer 180's Avatar
Fishwhisperer 180 Fishwhisperer 180 is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: New London Harbor, Ct. U.S.A. *Open ocean access*
Posts: 28
Default Under Cover

Quote:
Originally Posted by Destroyer View Post
The problem with most tarps is they are thin plastic, and they are square, which means that you always have a lot of extra cover hanging all over the place. And then you have to use bungie cords, weights, etc, etc to try and hold them on....yuck!!
I don't use a custom fit cover, but I've had great luck using a swimming pool cover. They are extra heavy duty plastic for safety reasons, lightweight, last forever, and, if you buy an oval one, they fit very well....Plus they come with a wire cable and winch that you can use to hold the tarp to the boat trailer nice and snug... And, compared to custom tarps, they are dirt cheap. The one in the pic is two years old, was $57, and it covers the V20 perfectly.

I have to second you on the Winter pool cover Destroyer. I use them as a Winter storage cover with a 2x4 frame running amidships, bow to stern.
My current project boat was under one for three years and held up. When I took it off, the boat was in the same condition as the day I covered it.
They outlast even the best of the poly tarps the chain stores sell. Besides being made of a heavier mil poly, (available in different thicknesses) they contain a UV shield that stops the Sun from breaking it down (the others end up looking like cheese cloth after a couple of months).
The oval shape is the way to go and you can find all sizes on ebay (cheap!)
Even if you buy the canvas cover I recommend a Winter pool cover to put over that for the off season. It will keep the Sun and other elements off the one you want pretty for boating season.
Speaking to trolling motors, I use a my boat for saltwater fishing and have a 1980 Johnson/Evinrude 15hp.w/power prop. The 9 -15 uses the same chassis (about 70lbs) so you can choose the power to weight ratio. I found a rebuilt Electric model (ebay/$375). It has a 2amp. alternator that keeps up or even recharges the batteries in the event of trouble. She truly serves double duty- (trolling / auxiliary).
Heck, with fuel prices the way they are I'll be doing a lot of trolling this season.
Hope this helped...
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