Towing with the factory cover...bow pole in or out????

[007]

In my old boat you were not supposed to tow with any poles in, it would destroy the cover. If I do that with my Z3, I get a big pool of water on top of the cover in the bow during heavy rain. Stopped half way through a massive thunderstorm and inserted the front pole for the rest of the tow home, but the bow area was pretty wet by then.

So, are you supposed to tow with the bow pole in or out? Thanks

[Greeko]

my 15 doesn't have poles...

[007]

my 15 doesn't have poles...

@Greeko - To clarify, mine only has a front pole. Mine did not deliver with a front pole, but my dealer gave me one when I enquired. There is a snap on my cover for it to connect to and it has a rubber foot that sits nicely between the front flip up cushion and the cooler/walkthrough.

The rear "tent" is a string mechanism that hangs from the tow hook. I've been towing with that "up", so I guess it should be ok to tow with the bow pole in place. Just thought I'd ask since I don't know what the proper ways is.

[IDBoating]

I'd worry about the pole damaging that expensive cover.

If you want something to hold up the bow area, buy a big beach ball and inflate it to whatever level gives you the desired cover profile. The force will be nicely distributed across a large surface area, lessening the risk of damage.

[Bibbs]

IDBoating That is brilliant. Fantastic tip--thanks

[boardman74]

Don't tow with the pole in.

[Yankees39]

Not to hijack the thread but I have a 1999 21v with the original cover. I do not use the cover ( I store the boat in my garage and the river I boat in is only 3 miles from my house). The only time I do use it is when we go on a campout and the boats gonna stay out side at night in the woods. So I have two questions-

1) is towing long distance with a cover bad for the vinyl. I had a friend tell me the the cover would be harsh on the viynl? Has anyone every heard of this?

2) could I take my 21v Tige existing cover and put some wratch it straps through it that I could strap down to the trailer and convert it to a towable cover? I might ruin the cover after a few trips but maybe if I do it right with metal grommets it could last?

We are about to take the boat 7 hrs away for a big trip to Lake Amistad and last time we trailered it for 7 hrs a lot of road grime gets in the boat. No Bueno!

IDBoating that beach ball idea is a great idea. If I do put a cover on it I will definitely use that trick

Thanks for the help guys.

[Coop]

1) is towing long distance with a cover bad for the vinyl. I had a friend tell me the the cover would be harsh on the viynl? Has anyone every heard of this?

I've never towed with a cover. I've always been told it can dull/scratch the gel coat. Haven't confirmed that because I haven't done it. I haven't heard anything about the effect on vinyl.

I've towed some long distances (used to do 500 miles round trip 5-6 times a summer, and some trips over 1,000 miles RT). I've never noticed the road grime issue -- at least nothing I can't get rid of with a quick wipe down.

Most of my driving is in California and Arizona, so I'm usually not driving through any serious weather.

[Dandy]

Not sure about the poles. When we had our Z1 I don't recall towing with the bow pole in but did use the tether to the tower. I believe the water did not pool and the travel blew it off the front.

Regarding scuffing, for long trips I wrapped our boats with pallet wrap along the edge where the cover would rub and put an old rag under the ratchets. The edge of the ratchet did more damage the first couple times tightening it up.

[Greeko]

@Greeko - To clarify, mine only has a front pole. Mine did not deliver with a front pole, but my dealer gave me one when I enquired. There is a snap on my cover for it to connect to and it has a rubber foot that sits nicely between the front flip up cushion and the cooler/walkthrough.

The rear "tent" is a string mechanism that hangs from the tow hook. I've been towing with that "up", so I guess it should be ok to tow with the bow pole in place. Just thought I'd ask since I don't know what the proper ways is.

I was told to not tow with the rear support string connected to tower. Puts a lot of strain on the stitching during high speed.

[007]

Thanks for all the replies!

[cpobanz]

Use your cover poles if you are towing long distance. I have abrasion on my vinyl from the cover rubbing, mostly on the sun deck of my z3. With the poles in propping the cover up its less likely to rub, make sure the cover is tight too.