Full Custom Boat Cover - for 232 mode - with pics

[JTinMO]

As promised in another thread, here's the post with details of the custom cover that I purchased for our 2010 232. I picked it up this afternoon, so only have 4 hours of highway driving experience with it so far. But will provide updates over time, hoping it will help someone else out along the way.

I had Aurora Canvas in Battlefield, MO make the cover. They made two prior covers for me and have always been great to work with. I'll start out by saying I highly recommend their work, and you can PM me for info not posted here if you want to use them for a cover. They have made a lot of covers for Cobalt's in the past.

Material: The cover is made of the Aqualon Edge fabric in Navy Blue. It is a thick fabric that is waterproof, and almost impossible to tear. The cover has been double or triple reinforced at all rub areas or corners. This is meant to be a cover for the boat when on a trailer, so not necessarily a mooring cover. Although they built it so it could be used as a mooring cover on a lift (their idea as they heard my future desires), although I told them not to leave access to the cleats, as I have no intention of using it in that manner, and didn't want openings above the rub rail. They can modify the cover in the future to add velcro openings if I ever need that.

The tie down straps are only needed for if towing with the cover on. When stored, you don't need them. The bottom rope holds it on TIGHTLY. As much so as the factory cover ratchets do.

The material is thick. Probably twice the thickness of the factory cover. Therefore it does not stretch. They have to have a template to make a cover as it is an exact fit for the boat. They did not have a template for my year 232, so I took them the boat and let them have it for the week. I'm glad I did. The cover is truly a custom fit cover for the boat. Cover seams are exactly where they need to be. The Bimini mount holes are perfect for where the poles are mounted. The swim deck cover fits perfectly around the contours, etc. It is a premium cover.

They can make covers out of 3 or 4 grades of material, including Sunbrella fabric.

Extras: I had them install three support poles instead of the standard two tab the factory cover had. I wanted to have an option to go a touch higher than the windshield peak if needed. In lieu of the vents like Commercial Sewing uses, they installed the vented pole cups in the three locations. They do a better job than the factory vents according to the folks at Aurora.

I also had them make a full zippered piece that fully covers the entire sides of the boat, and covers the swim deck as well. It zips onto the normal cover and has another rope and ratchet system installed around the bottom to tighten it all down. Will work on trailer or a lift as well. So a nice feature. I wanted it to keep the sun from fading the gelcoat, and also wanted to cover the swim platform as I have SeaDek on the way. So needed to protect that as well. The way it zips on, it is also weatherproof and essentially created a complete canopy over the entire boat all the way below waterline. Should work out well, and will not flap in the wind.

As they have done a lot of bimini's, covers, etc for Cobalts in the past, they have the factory patches on hand. You can see in the pics they sewed on factory Cobalt patches on each side of the cover, and looks factory. Their logo patch is installed on the rear of the cover by the swim deck. No other graphics or advertising. If anyone needs a simple bimini cover made, that's a no brainer for them. Call them up and I bet you can have one shipped the next day.

Towing: I did not plan on towing it home with the cover on, but the owner said it's made for it and to go for it. That's what they stake their claim on. Every cover is meant for full highway speeds. I can vouch up to 70 MPH the cover did not move. Did not flap, nada, over the course of a 4 hour drive home. Ran it with all three poles in place. I put a twist into each tie down, and they did not flap. It ran well. I was surprised. The rear pole did fall during the ride, and that is something I need to address by buying a platform bottom for the poles, so they don't fall over. Even after falling, the cover towed great. No issues.

Cost: I won't post the price here but will simply tell you the top cover alone costs less than the factory version. Not by much, but it is less. The side and rear skirt piece cost more than I expected, and was almost 50% the cost of the top cover. It is almost 50' long by almost 4' tall, so more than half as much cover material as the main piece. So pricing is in line with all things considered.

Lifespan: They said this cover should easily last 8-10 years used outdoors 365 days a year. I believe it. My last cover (made with the older Aqualon fabric) was 8 years old when I sold the boat earlier this summer, and was still waterproof and usable. Care is simply to give it a wipe down with 303 fabric protectant once a year (spring time), and spray it down with 303 fabric guard once a year (they recommended fall). Don't pressure wash this material thought as it will damage it.

Personal Experience: I went with Aurora Canvas based on my past experience with them. And the fact that I know if anything is not perfect I can send it back to them and they will modify it, no questions asked. I sent the last cover I had in twice. Once for a repair (my fault) and the second time to add a support pole and additional reinforcement due to boat changes I made on my prior boat. The did the fixes and changes at next to no cost.
For this cover, they said to "speak up if you see a drop of water inside the boat anywhere", and they will fix it. That means a lot. It was also nice to see the place, and got to meet the person that sewed the cover together (they were finishing it up when I arrived). Very nice lady, and thanked me for the opportunity to make a cover. These folks care about the small details, which I appreciate.

Attached are pics. I'll post more tomorrow when I put the side skirt piece on.

[cmattj]

JT that was a great thread starter, and as I mentioned I’m a fan of aqualon as it was on my 32.

I also never experienced color bleed or rub marks from underneath . My next custom cover I will go back!

[AsLan7]

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Wow, that’s a great write-up JTinMO. Nice pics too.
I think you may have the nicest cover on the forum. Beautiful, functional, and best of all a great protector of your precious Cobalt.

Thanks for posting this. Great resource for the site as well.

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[BIGGUSBLOCKUS]

That cover looks GREAT! Thanks for all the info, it's nice to know there are still high quality companies able to make accessories for our boats. BTW, You and I have the same Rolco trailer it appears, right down to the wheels and color. I've been very happy with mine.

[JTinMO]

And for the update I forgot to post this weekend......

Attached are the pics of the cover with the secondary side skirt zipped in place and secured. This side cover adds full protection to all sides, and covers the swim deck. In the bottom is a ratchet system that attached to the front of the trailer (or dock), and tightens around the base, making it taught.

It works well.

[NautiGirl]

WOW! That's impressive! Perfect for those that store the boat outside. Full protection from the elements!

[JTinMO]

Yep. That was my goal. I told them I want to uncover it in the spring time and it to look as perfect as when it went to bed in the fall. I hate having to spend a full weekend getting a boat ready every year cleaning up after whatever disaster the winter threw at it. Would rather have that time on the water. This cover will get me through until I get the garage built for it.

[tgrace98]

wow that is awesome JT! I have been thinking about getting a new mooring cover because right now mine doesn't go over my swim platform. Looks like I know who to call when I decide to pull the trigger.

[cycleboater]

That looks great. You'll love it. I had a very similar cover for my prior boat, but the material was Sunbrella and the skirt was not separate from the cover, all one piece. Probably the best investment I made for boating accessories. My prior boat was stored on an uncovered lift for 10 years and did not have any sun damage and with the full coverage, minimized the work necessary to keep it clean.

This thread has reminded me that I need to get on my canvas guy's schedule to make one for the Cobalt.

[ajcampen]

Yep. That was my goal. I told them I want to uncover it in the spring time and it to look as perfect as when it went to bed in the fall. I hate having to spend a full weekend getting a boat ready every year cleaning up after whatever disaster the winter threw at it. Would rather have that time on the water. This cover will get me through until I get the garage built for it.

So this is your winter cover? Do you wrap anything around your prop to keep ice out?

I like this idea vs paying 280$ every year to shrink wrap. I live in central Ohio and we have considerably less snow than Cleveland.

[Big Block Power]

Yep. That was my goal. I told them I want to uncover it in the spring time and it to look as perfect as when it went to bed in the fall. I hate having to spend a full weekend getting a boat ready every year cleaning up after whatever disaster the winter threw at it. Would rather have that time on the water. This cover will get me through until I get the garage built for it.

So this is your winter cover? Do you wrap anything around your prop to keep ice out?

I like this idea vs paying 280$ every year to shrink wrap. I live in central Ohio and we have considerably less snow than Cleveland.

Its called duck tape.

[arcticzale]

Those side pieces are brilliant. I'm going to have to ask my guy to make some of those. Beautiful cover!

Off topic, you mentioned Seadek coming- Is your order why it's taking so long for them to get mine done?
I ordered 3 weeks ago and still don't have my dry fit... I'm about over the delays and lousy customer service.

[Photo_G]

I’d love to have one of these, but my mooring cover is still in fair to middling shape. Is there such a thing as a cover tuneup service? Mine has threads hanging down, a few smallish tears, and it needs the ratchet cord realigned...it could use a good cleaning and sealing too I guess.

G

[Big Block Power]

I've had my seams redone on some of my covers and patches installed. You can clean and reseal it also.

[Photo_G]

Cool, thanks! I’ll try to find someone here that does that then.

G