Need tips on boat cover for travel

This is a great site for information! I hope you can help me out. Last week I picked up my new boat. Lund, 1600 Explorer, tiller. (Lenght:16.5 ft., Width at beam: 86 in., Width at stern: 82.5 in.) It has 3 seats and a bow mount trolling motor. I store the boat in my garage. The closest fishing spot is about 30 minutes away from home, but I plan to go at least once a month on a trip to lakes within 3 to 4 hours drive. I also want to take my boat to Canada this summer. I asked the dealer for info on best advice on a boat cover when trailering my boat. They said the Lund covers are not desighned for trailering and most covers are not unless they are custom made so that they fit tight. They tried to order a cover from Tumac (sic) but said it is no longer manufactured. I have also visited with staff at local Cabelas and the help showed me the catalog. No offence to the staff, but they do not appear to have the expertice on the ability of the covers to hold up to highway driving. The local Lund dealer said they do have a person in town (KCMO) that makes substantial quality coves for trailering, at $35 per linear foot. At 16.5 feet, that is $577.50. That seems very high to me. I have yet to contact the person who tailors those covers, but I plan to find out what fabric he uses. Mind you, I have looked on line for covers as well. There appeas to be a bias in favor of breathable fabric to reduce mold etc. I can understand that especially for boats stored outdoors. In my case, I store the boat in a garage and would keep the cover loosely on the boat when indoors to eliminate damp conditions. After some research and email exchanges, I decided to make a call before I made a final order. Glad I did. The company said they do not have a ready made cover for my model, as it is a new model.
One more thing. This boat has the pro track and sport track groves in the gunwale that would allow snaps to be installed on the outside. Any ideas on products and prices? Any advice will be appreciated. Many thanks.

I have heard good things about both Canvas Craft (I believe its in Anoka??) and Wyoming Canvas in Wyoming MN.
I had mine made at Mankato tent and Awning in Mankato and I love it. I had one seam rip on the motor cover, but it was an easy fix and have otherwise had no other problems. Good Luck!

Crossin’

Ask for a material called Top Gun, much better than canvas and will last allot longer.

Thank you for the info. I will consider your advice.

I had a cover made by a guy in Wabasha, MN. Very high quality. Whole cover folds up and I can hold it in one hand. This guy does whatever you want. I have a 2004 Explorer 1700, it’s the first Explorer he did, and he did a great job. I can send you a bunch of pics and information, if interested PM me. I paid $450.

I had a custom cover made for my 2004 Crestliner 1750. It was the breathable type; cost me $500. Had my pontoon covered by the same guy 2 years ago cost $650

Blackduck, does your cover snap on or tie down? Did you have to bring boat there or did your tailor measure from another boat? One more thing, do you have a bowmount trolling motor? If so, does your cover go over that, or do you remove same? Many thanks.

I have had (2) custom tops made in the past two years by Erichsen Marine Canvas in Shakopee. He uses Top Gun and does great work and is more competitively priced than what has been outlined above. This is my old boat but the quality of the work and the tight fit is apparent. Pricing for this 17 foot boat was near $400. For yours it would be less. On my new boat the snaps are tucked under the gunnel and you dont see them. Even better looking than this one.

Yes, it’s a snap on cover. Send me your email and I will send you a whole load of pics with descriptions. I left it at his shop. I have a bow mount trolling motor with a quick release. The trolling motor has a seperate cover (as does the big motor) I have a quick release, and he designed the trolling motor cover to come off so I can leave it at home and detatch that part of the cover. This is nice for locking my trolling motor in my truck in transit. And when the trolling motor is off so is that part of the cover, so it doesn’t flap in the wind.

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I have heard good things about both Canvas Craft (I believe its in Anoka??) and Wyoming Canvas in Wyoming MN.
I had mine made at Mankato tent and Awning in Mankato and I love it. I had one seam rip on the motor cover, but it was an easy fix and have otherwise had no other problems. Good Luck!

Crossin’

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hey crossin’

good guess, I have also heard really good things about the canvas store in anoka. they are located on hiway 10, just west out of anoka.