The type of fabric used to make a boat cover or PWC cover affects how durable, breathable, and waterproof it will be. Not all boat covers are equal in quality. Below are some factors that affect the quality of a cover.

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.

When it comes time to cover up your jet ski, you want a quality cover that protects your boat and is strong enough to endure harsh weather.

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!

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.

Follow these 3 simple tips to maintain your jet ski.

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.