PWC Jet Ski Cover (available in 3 sizes)

You ride your jet ski hard on the water. To make sure your watercraft performs up to its potential, it’s important to keep it covered between rides and during the off-season. The sun’s UV rays and the constant exposure to rain, snow, dew, and other moisture can damage your jet ski. A PWC cover can keep your watercraft clean, dry, and ready to ride at a moment’s notice.

Jet ski covers are available with a universal or custom fit. Custom covers offer a near perfect fit, but be prepared to pay the price. Universal and semi-custom covers are more affordable and offer an adjustable fit that provides superior protection for your ride.

In order to find the right size jet ski cover, make sure you get the right measurements for your watercraft. Measure from the front nose to the longest rear point for proper sizing. Then choose the cover that best fits the dimensions of your boat.

Jet Ski Cover Measurements

Protect your jet ski with a breathable boat cover.

What Happens When Moisture Gets Trapped?

First, trapped water or condensation can damage the boat’s interior, including the bilge, hull, and fabric materials. Cushions tend to soak up moisture, creating ideal conditions for mold and mildew growth. If the cushions are removable, the best option is to remove the cushions and store them in a dry, protected indoor area.

Second, trapped moisture can damage the boat cover. Mold and mildew thrive in moist environments, and your boat cover is no exception. Mold growth will weaken the cover and compromise the protection that it provides for your boat or jet ski.

How Do I Make Sure My Boat Cover Can Breathe?

Even if the boat cover you purchase is clearly labeled as breathable, there are a few things you need to remember in order for the venting system to work properly.

First, throwing a tarp (or any other covering) over the boat cover will negate the venting system by trapping the moisture underneath the tarp. Do not put anything else on top of a breathable cover.

Second, keep the cover free of dirt and debris, which can plug up the breathable material and promote mold and mildew growth. Wash the cover as needed to keep it clean.

Finally, don’t allow pools of water to stand on the cover. They can compromise the water resistant properties of the cover, which leaves your boat vulnerable to moisture damage.

Take good care of your boat and your breathable cover, and your boat and cover will last for years to come!

Type of Fabric

Boat cover made with marine-grade polyester fabric

1. Poly/Cotton Blend

The cheapest boat covers are made from a poly/cotton blend. This fabric breaks down faster and doesn’t protect the boat as well as other types of fabric. Covers made from a poly/cotton blend are typically only under warranty for a year and are only suitable for mild climates and minimal use.

2. Marine-Grade Polyester

Marine-grade polyester is a much more durable fabric than poly/cotton blend. These boat covers are slightly more expensive, but the durability is well worth the cost. Polyester boat covers offer an ideal balance of strong protection and cost effectiveness. They resist wear and tear and mildew growth much better than poly/cotton covers.

3. Acrylic

Acrylic boat covers are high end covers that offer superior protection; however, they are also more expensive to produce, which means that their cost is much higher than for other types of fabric.

Fabric Weight and Weave

In most cases, the heavier the fabric, the more durable it will be. However, durability is also affected by the tightness of the weave. A boat cover with a lighter weight and tighter weave may be more durable than a cover with a heavier weight but a coarser weave.

Fabric Color

Reds and yellows tend to fade the fastest. Blues seem to keep their color the longest. A UV protective coating will make the color last even longer.

What should you look for in a jet ski cover?

• Water repellent coating to keep your jet ski dry
• Vent system to promote air circulation and prevent mold and mildew growth or moisture damage
• Double-stitched seams to prevent leaking at the seams
• Storage bag to store your cover when not in use
• Marine-grade poly material that holds up under harsh weather and strong winds
• Elastic hem for a snug fit to keep the wind from billowing up the cover or tearing it out of place
• Tie-down straps to keep the jet ski cover in place
• A warranty and satisfaction guarantee to give you peace of mind

Looking for a quality jet ski cover that won’t break your budget? Check out the PWC Jet Ski Covers from DuraShield!

What determines the thickness of a cover?

“Denier” is the term used to describe the thickness of a material. The thicker the cover material, the higher the denier.

Are thicker covers better?

Thicker covers are better for outside storage. They’ll stand up better under the wear and tear of rain, snow, sun, and the elements. For inside storage in protected areas, thinner storage covers work just fine.

What is the recommended denier for indoor and outdoor storage covers?

For outdoor storage covers, a thickness of 300-600 denier is generally sufficient. For indoor storage covers, a thickness of 150-300 denier provides adequate protection.

What about breathability?

The thicker a storage cover is, the more difficult it is for air to flow through the cover. Without adequate venting, a thick storage cover will trap condensation inside the cover, possibly resulting in moisture damage. Most manufacturers include a venting system to make a thick cover breathable. The vent allows air and moisture to escape from underneath the cover while preventing moisture from entering.

How much does a quality storage cover cost?

The higher the denier, the more you should expect to pay. If your motorcycle or boat is in a fairly protected area, you may be able to get away with a thinner, lower cost cover. If you store your motorcycle or boat outdoors, invest in a thick, high quality storage cover with vents. It will cost you a little more up front, but the quality of protection will save you money in the long run.

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.

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.

1. Keep It Covered

Simple but true. The sun’s rays will fade your paint faster than you think. Cover your jet ski during storage (long term or short), during trailering, and basically any time you’re not riding it. The best jet ski covers protect against UV rays, water damage, and mildew. Look for a PWC cover that allows air circulation through a special venting system. This allows any remaining condensation on your watercraft to evaporate without getting trapped under the cover and causing damage.

2. Keep It Purring

If you use your personal watercraft mainly for recreation, it may be easy to forget that it needs regular maintenance. So while maintenance may be a necessary evil for many PWC owners, it’s also what keeps your jet ski running and lets you relax out on the water without worrying about a breakdown. Take your jet ski to the boat shop for scheduled maintenance, or if you’re mechanically skilled, do it yourself. Just don’t wait until your jet ski breaks down to give it some lovin’. Prevent problems before they happen—and save some money in the long run.

3. Keep It Clean

Give your jet ski a quick rinse with the hose after each ride. Regular washing will keep your PWC looking like new and make your overall maintenance quicker and easier because you’ll spend less time rubbing out ingrained grit, salt, and marine growth. If you neglect to wash your PWC regularly, these abrasives can eat away at your wax and paint job. You may not even notice the damage until it’s too late. If you want to keep your jet ski looking new, it’s worth taking the time to rinse it down.