My Classic Accessories pos finally shredded itself and need a new cover for Competitor 165.
I only need it to keep dirt road dust out, don’t care about water and don’t store outside. Just looking for something that will survive trailering.
Any recommendations on where to order one that isn’t too expensive and at least a little better than Classic Accessories?
I’m not sure how Alumacraft works but when I needed a new cover for my boat I called the dealer and they were still able to order the original one that was for that boat when it was new. It was not cheap but might be worth looking into.
I’ve purchased my last 2 covers for my center console from Economy Canvas in East Bethel. They are custom obviously and I’m not sure if they’ll be cheaper than one you order but the last one cost me around $450.
That cover I ordered from the dealer was like $1100 if I remember correctly.
I’ve purchased my last 2 covers for my center console from Economy Canvas in East Bethel. They are custom obviously and I’m not sure if they’ll be cheaper than one you order but the last one cost me around $450.
About how long did it take?
That cover I ordered from the dealer was like $1100 if I remember correctly.
I never checked dealer. Mine is a 2015 I think so no idea if they have them but I’ll check.
Carver Covers are a good choice for less than a custom cover. Choice of material quality/warranty and colors. Waterproof, guaranteed fit for specific models, trailerable, and decent price. Be sure to add extra straps and poles to make it fit properly for trailering and to prevent water pooling.
Several online retailers carry them.
I’ve always brought mine in the spring, his busy season, and it took about a month to get the boat in and less than a week while he has it. You may be able to get right in right now and get it in a week.
Just beware, the guy is very old and very hard of hearing but he does pretty good work. He only accepts check or cash.
I’ve always brought mine in the spring, his busy season, and it took about a month to get the boat in and less than a week while he has it. You may be able to get right in right now and get it in a week.
I’ll check it out. I might just order a cheapo to finish out the year and get this made later when there’s more time.
Without a cover this is the result 
20210905_085707-scaled.jpg
Banner Canvas in Ham Lake is good too. Faith makes make the custom covers for Rapid Sport. She has done work for me for years. She does outstanding work.
Wow, that looks like a nightmare to clean up! I’m on year 6 since I bought my Lund new with the factory cover. Still holding string, but when the time comes in the next few years to replace it I’m either going to go back to the factory cover because it’s held up incredibly well, or if they aren’t available any longer, I’ll get one made by a canvas shop in the same style because it works really well.
I’ve never seen a store-bought cover (fleet farm, cabelas) last more than a few trips down the road, they just don’t seem to last
Hey Reef. My dad has this cover for his 2010 Alumacraft Navigator 165 and has been happy with it. Good durability and the price is certainly right.
That cover I ordered from the dealer was like $1100 if I remember correctly.
What boat is that for? That seems really steep to me. I got a custom fit snap on cover and it was $600 granted that was a number of years ago, but I wouldnt think it would have doubled.
The last factory Skeeter cover I purchased 8 years ago was $875. Good cover still working great when I use it.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>walleyesforme wrote:</div>
That cover I ordered from the dealer was like $1100 if I remember correctly.What boat is that for? That seems really steep to me. I got a custom fit snap on cover and it was $600 granted that was a number of years ago, but I wouldnt think it would have doubled.
That was for a 20 foot crestliner. Im not sure if it was a little more because Crestliner uses those plastic “j” hooks to attach the cover but I thought that price kind of seemed like the going rate these days. Anything canvas for a boat is stupid expensive.
Just looking for something that will survive trailering.
IMO nothing over the counter will last trailering. You will need a custom cover that is made to fit snug. Money well spent.
-J.
That was for a 20 foot crestliner. Im not sure if it was a little more because Crestliner uses those plastic “j” hooks to attach the cover but I thought that price kind of seemed like the going rate these days. Anything canvas for a boat is stupid expensive.
I bet that is partly what made it more expensive, but yeah, prices had to have gone up because I got mine a few years ago so maybe that is normal.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>walleyesforme wrote:</div>
That was for a 20 foot crestliner. Im not sure if it was a little more because Crestliner uses those plastic “j” hooks to attach the cover but I thought that price kind of seemed like the going rate these days. Anything canvas for a boat is stupid expensive.I bet that is partly what made it more expensive, but yeah, prices had to have gone up because I got mine a few years ago so maybe that is normal.
Prices have gone up, as we all know. In 2017 I ordered a DuFort cover for my 185 Tiller, it was $800. Then in 2022 I ordered another DuFort for my 205 Tiller and it was $1200. There isn’t much difference in materials needed between a 185 and 205 so that’s mostly all labor increases. DuFort also uses the J Hooks for the Alumacrafts. The cover is great, I use it for all long trips, 10+ hours one way without a hiccup.
Many years ago (11) I used one of the Boat Cover websites (boatcovers.com I believe?) It allowed me to customize the cover to my liking (oversized trolling motor section, attached outboard cover) It was about 1/3 the price of an OEM Cover from Skeeter. I just checked boatcovers.com and it looks like the same cover I have is now about $300 more than what I paid 11 years ago…
The 11 year old cover stays on my boat all summer while on my lift getting beaten by the weather and the sun day after day and it still looks brand new!
I spray a new application of 303 Water proofing on it every season, it works great…
Bought the cheapest Carver “semi-custom” to get me by until I get a good cover made and it’s actually pretty nice. Was $271 total. It fits much better than my old one and doesn’t flap at all so I think it should last awhile. Has 500 some miles on it already. Just to be sure it’s tight as I can get it I used all 10 straps it came with and 4 bungie cords for the left over loops which might be overkill but it’s nice it has so many options anyways. Looks kind of loose in picture because the other side was undone before I thought to take a picture.
20240913_080057-scaled.jpg
20240913_080102-scaled.jpg
I’ve been happy with my mid grade custom fit Carver cover.
Sun and weather exposure does take a toll, but flapping is what destroys covers fastest, so the more you keep it taut, the longer it will last. Also, try to keep it clean, and hit it once or twice a season with Star Brite or 303 waterproofing spray. Use enough support poles so water can’t pool on it, then everything under the cover will stay dry.
It takes a bit more work, but if you rig the straps so they go from one side of the cover under the boat to the other side of the boat, instead of to the trailer frame, it will keep the cover tighter and allow less air underneath, which means the cover will flap less and not be as stressed when the boat moves/bounces while trailering.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
