Use additional boat cover tie downs for trailering.

Making sure your boat and cover are secure while trailering is important not only to prevent damage to your boat but to ensure the safety of other drivers on the road.

Tie downs serve two important functions: securing the boat to the trailer (typically at the bow, gunwale and/or transom) and securing the cover to the boat.

Boat Trailer Tie Downs

The bow strap secures the bow of the boat to the trailer tongue. Do not rely on the winch strap to secure the bow. The gears and cable on a trailer winch—whether electric or manual—are not designed to hold a load and may fail during trailering. Always use a tie down other than the winch strap to secure the bow to the trailer.

Gunwale straps stretch over the width of the aft section of the boat and secure the boat to the trailer, preventing the boat from bouncing on the bunks or rollers.

Transom straps secure the boat transom to the trailer and restrict vertical and lateral movement of the boat while trailering.

Tie downs with ratchet straps and padding are the safest way to secure your boat to the trailer. Ratchets ensure a tight fit, and padding protects your boat’s finish from scratches and wear. Make sure the tie downs do not cross any sharp edges that could fray the straps and compromise the safety of your boat.

Boat Cover Tie Downs

Before using your boat cover for trailering, make sure it is approved for trailer use. Trailerable covers are generally made from thicker material and offer a tighter, more secure fit that is able to withstand the forces of high speed travel.

The number of cover tie downs needed for trailering varies, depending on boat size and how the cover fits. As a general guideline, use additional cover tie downs for trailering, as compared to how many straps you use for storage. Make sure the straps do not cross over any sharp edges that could damage the strap and boat cover.

Pontoon Boat Cover Installation Diagram

The following instructions are designed specifically for the DuraShield Pontoon Cover, but they apply universally to many other covers on the market. See your owners manual for more detailed instructions.

1. Cover any sharp points or edges on the pontoon with a cloth or sponge to avoid rips or tears when the cover is strapped tightly across the pontoon.
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2. Find the yellow label with arrows sewn into the hem of the cover that indicates “Front.” Drape the front of the cover over the bow. Then roll the cover back over the pontoon and pull down the sides.
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Pontoon cover strap system

3. Use tie down straps to secure the cover to the boat. Each tie down system works differently. The following instructions apply specifically to the DuraShield Pontoon Cover tie down system, which includes eight tie down straps with quick-release buckles.
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4. Connect four straps (A) to the four lower buckles (C) on one side of the cover and run the straps underneath the trailer beam to the other side of the pontoon. Connect the other end of the straps into the lower buckles (C) on the other side of the cover.
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5. Connect four straps (B) to the four upper buckles (D) on one side of the cover and run the straps over the top of the cover. Connect these straps to the upper buckles (D) on the other side of the cover.
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6. After connecting all of the straps, cinch the straps down tight for a secure fit.

Be sure to use, tighten, and secure all straps and hooks when transporting your pontoon on a trailer or open vehicle. Failure to do this may cause the cover to blow off and cause injury to others. It may also result in damage to the cover.

After driving a short distance, stop and check to make sure the pontoon and cover are secure. Tighten the straps as needed. Continue to check the pontoon and cover at all rest stops along the way. We recommend the use of additional tie downs for high speed travel.

How durable are DuraShield Boat Covers?
Our trailerable boat covers are made from heavy duty, tight weave polyester, made to withstand the forces of nature and the stress of highway travel. Our boat covers come with a 5 year warranty, so you have the assurance that if anything does go wrong with your cover during normal use, we will replace your cover for free.

Will it cover my outboard motor?
The DuraShield boat cover is not designed to protect your outboard motor; however we do sell a separate Trailerable Boat Motor Cover for 2-25 hp outboard motors.

How do I secure my cover for towing my boat on a trailer?
Tie-down straps are provided with your DuraShield boat cover. Secure the straps over the cover and underneath the boat to secure the cover for trailering. Use all of the straps provided for the best protection.

How can I prevent mold and mildew from growing on my boat cover?
Keep the cover clean. Avoid letting water, snow, dirt, and other materials accumulate on top of the cover. Do not roll or fold the boat cover for storage unless it is completely dry. Also, do not cover the boat cover with a plastic tarp or other material, as this will compromise the breathability of the cover.

How do I measure my boat to find the right size cover?
Measure the center length from bow to stern. Do not measure up and over windshields. Then measure the beam width from side to side at the widest part of the boat.

Will the boat cover fit over my windshield?
Yes. Our boat covers are designed to fit over the standard windshield on most boats.

Will the boat cover fit over my cabin or center console?
No. Our boat covers are designed for V-hull, fish/ski, inboard/outboard boats, and other similar boats. The cover will not provide proper protection for cabin or center console boats.

New marine fishing boat cover from DuraShield!

The DuraShield Trailerable Fishing Boat Cover is constructed from marine-grade polyester and is specially designed to withstand the stress of highway travel and exposure to the elements. A UV coating protects the boat cover from sun damage, and the cover’s breathable, water-resistant properties prevent moisture damage.

The boat cover design includes a snug elastic hem and double-stitched seams for extra reinforcement. The included straps secure the cover to the boat and trailer, while the mesh storage bag allows the cover to drain and dry when not in use.

A 5 year warranty guarantees the quality of this fishing boat cover. To see the full product description, click here.

Original Source: PitchEngine

Watch this video for tips on how to unload your boat. This video covers how to back your trailer down the ramp, how to disconnect the boat from the trailer, and how to launch the boat into the water.

Your regular storage cover may not hold up to the demands of trailering. Here’s why.

Not all covers are alike. You may think that a storage cover could pass as a trailerable cover, but the truth is that storage covers designed solely for storage may not hold up to the wear and tear of highway travel. The three main features that set trailerable covers apart from the pack are material thickness, tie down straps, and a secure fit.

Material Thickness
When you travel at high speeds down the highway, the wind can whip your cover around something fierce. Thinner, less durable materials will tear under the force of the wind. In order to withstand the wear and tear of highway travel, your boat cover or ATV cover must be constructed with heavy duty materials. Trailerable covers are thicker and more durable than storage covers, making them able to withstand constant wind, rain, and other forces during travel.

Tie Down Straps
With the force of wind speed, your cover needs to be securely strapped down in order to stay in place. Tie down straps ensure that your cover stays in place on your boat, jet ski, or four wheeler. You can adjust these straps as needed for a tighter fit.

Secure Fit
Without a secure fit, the wind can whip under the cover and “parachute” your cover. Getting whipped around by the wind can damage your cover. Make sure the trailerable cover for your boat, jet ski, or quad ensures a snug fit to reduce the wear and tear on your cover during trailering.

Trailerable covers make excellent storage covers as well. If you plan to use your cover for both storage and trailering, look for a cover that will work for both purposes.

Yesterday I got passed by a truck pulling a trailer loaded with 2 jet skis wrapped up snug as a bug in their jet ski covers. Looked good–except that the trailer was swaying back and forth like a drunk driver. Stuff like that makes me nervous–and I’m not even the one pulling a drunk trailer!

In the thick of summer, with more boat trailers and ATV trailers on the road, it’s not surprising to see a few wobbly trailers out there. What can you do to prevent trailer sway? The best way to prevent trailer sway is to stop it before it starts. Take the time to check over your trailer, hitch, and tow vehicle before hitting the road.

Make sure you have the proper equipment and hitch parts, including the right ball and coupler sizes, to tow your trailer. Check the weight distribution to make sure it is evenly balanced. Never exceed the weight capacity of your tow vehicle or trailer tongue. If the trailer tongue is too short or the suspension on the tow vehicle or trailer is too soft, this can also cause trailer sway. If you’re having towing trouble, check out the most common causes of sway and rule these out first before looking for other culprits.

Learn the difference between storage, mooring, and trailerable boat covers.

There are three basic types of covers for boats. Which type you need depends on how you plan to use your cover. Storage covers are designed for indoor or outdoor storage out of the water. Trailerable covers, or travel covers, are designed to protect your boat on the road. Finally, mooring covers are designed to protect your boat while it is anchored in the water.

Storage Covers

Unless you store your boat indoors in a controlled environment type of storage facility, you will want to choose a thick enough material to provide complete protection for your boat. If you store your boat outdoors, choose a heavy duty material that will protect your boat from rain, snow, moisture, wind, and UV rays. Even if you store your boat in a shed or garage, moisture could be a problem. To prevent moisture damage, choose a cover that is waterproof and breathable.

Trailerable Covers

A trailerable cover must be highly durable to withstand the wear and tear of highway travel. The wind whipping at your boat cover can rip the material if it is too thin or pry the cover loose from your boat if it is loose. Your trailerable marine cover should be tight enough for a snug fit and should include tie downs to secure the cover to the boat and trailer. The material quality should be heavy duty, such as 100% marine polyester, to hold up against harsh weather and high-speed travel.

Mooring Covers

Mooring covers provide in-water protection for docked boats. The best material for mooring covers is a cotton poly blend. The combination of cotton and polyester gives best combination of durability and breathability that you can find in a mooring cover.

Conclusion

If you use your cover for both trailering and storage, look for a trailerable boat cover that is also approved for storage. This will save you the expense of buying two separate boat covers.

Get your boat to the water and back safe and sound with these trailering tips.

The first step in hauling your boat is to choose the right trailer. Your boat trailer should be long enough to fully support your boat and be able to handle the weight of your boat along with the boat motor, gas, and all equipment in the boat. In addition, the tow vehicle must be capable of towing the combined weight of trailer and boat.

As you load the boat, make sure the hull is evenly balanced between the bunks or rollers. Even weight distribution from front to back and from side to side helps prevent damage to the boat during trailering. Uneven weight distribution can damage your boat or affect the steering and responsiveness of the tow vehicle.

If you are using a trailerable boat cover, secure the tie downs evenly and tightly. Trailerable boat covers keep your boat dry, prevent equipment from flying out of your boat, and hide your boating equipment from prying eyes at rest stops and gas stations. You may also want to protect your boat’s engine with an outboard motor cover.

After loading the boat, secure the boat to the trailer with tie downs and fasten the bow to the trailer with a rope or chain in addition to the winch cable. Crisscross the safety chains underneath the coupler and hook them to the tow mount on your vehicle.

Follow the instructions in your boat trailer manual to safely hook up your trailer and secure the boat. Double-check the safety chains, trailer hitch lock, and trailer lights before towing.

As you trailer your boat, remember to factor in the extra distance needed to brake. Allow more time to accelerate, pass, slow down, and stop. You will also need to make wider turns and allow extra space for curbs and other roadside barriers.