Help me Choose a New Cover

[Joeprunc]

Winter is approaching and I am going to be purchasing a new boat cover. We get on average about 17" of rain annually (no snow here). This being my first real boat cover I'm undecided between going with the Sunbrella ($610, 9.25 oz 100% Acrylic) or SharkSkin ($340, 6.5 oz 100% Polyester). Currently I plan on ordering from Overtons. I talked with their tech support, and he really didn't help me steer one way or the other...so I'm hoping you can help me out.

Money is a bit of an issue and I was just wondering if the Sunbrella is really worth the extra coin?

1) Sunbrella
2) Sunbrella (with a plastic tarp over during the rainy months)
3) SharkSkin
4) SharkSkin (with a plastic tarp over during the rainy months)

[da.bell]

Rains 17"???? I don't think we have seen that much rain in the past two years. j/k

What is the warranty on both? Could help in the decision process. And you being a college student, probably the cheaper one would work for now. No vote until I see warranty info.

[G-MONEY]

Regardless what you get I would still put a plastic tarp over it during the rainy season.

[Joeprunc]

Both are warrantied for 5 years. Poor college kid sums it up...well graduated poor college kid is more like it

Here are the links to the two:
Sunbrella
SharkSkin

As far as rain fall, I just looked it up online.

[da.bell]

Sunbrella.... reason...

http://www.canvascountry.com/caring-...ne-canvas.html

[Joeprunc]

That article stated that the Acrylic (Sunbrella) is not water resistant, the mfg. must add a chemical to provide the needed water repellent, and needs to be retreated every few years.
Does anyone know if Polyester requires a similar chemical to give it its water repellent characteristics?

[da.bell]

http://www.marchemcoatedfabrics.com/Articles.php

[Joeprunc]

Yup...looks like both the acrylic and polyester are treated.

[noworries]

If its going to live outside you need to keep it covered at all times. So, I'd purchase the better (heavier) of the two if you can swing the extra coin. Regardless, you'll want to tarp it as well during the winter for a couple of reasons. 1) additional water dispersion 2) to minimize staining the cover from all the organic junk that boats attract when left outside.

You'll also need to support the cover from the inside to prevent the rain from creating a lake in the cover. Use anything from PVC to 2x4s and plywood. You can start with just the tarp and supporting structure for now, given that it's supposed to rain through the first of the week beginning Friday. Better hurry, though.

[Joeprunc]

I think the support should be the first order of business for me today. I'm starting to lean towards the "buy the best and only cry once" rule.

[Jason B]

My shark skin cover has more rips than a cemetary...and that is from 1 winter in covered storage!!!

Pay the extra and get the better cover. I won't buy another sharkskin cover.

[Fast1911]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, this is when I can say keeping my boat in a warehouse rules


However, my cover is sunbrella along with my new bimini

[noworries]

Yes, just today my wife is out back reclaiming the space in the shop and the boat goes in tomorrow. I still hope to get more than a few additional lake days in yet this fall though before we tuck the boat in for the winter. Although, I'd trade those days for the promise of a big water year.

[balair]

That article stated that the Acrylic (Sunbrella) is not water resistant, the mfg. must add a chemical to provide the needed water repellent, and needs to be retreated every few years.
Does anyone know if Polyester requires a similar chemical to give it its water repellent characteristics?

I worked at a marina and all we had on our Sea Rays were Sunbrella covers. They last FOREVER! I have never heard of them needing to be retreated to repel water. The old ones always kept the boats dry so long as you put the poles up so water runs off

[Joeprunc]

Thanks for all the help guys/gals. I got a shiny blue tarp last night, setup a water runoff support, and ordered a Sunbrella today. Got a hell of a deal on it...$500 shipped. Got it from Ameri-Products, well at least its American...doing all I can to help the economy.