Boat Bow Covers
What To Know Before Purchasing?
Are you thinking of buying a boat bow cover online or having one built at a custom canvas shop? Or maybe building one yourself? As you search online, you'll find very few bow covers available online.
Choices
The reason for this . . .
It's hard to make a boat bow cover that fits well on so many different styles of boats. Unlike the universal boat cover that utilizes a drawstring, a bow cover just can't be made that way because it has to snap on.
I can help narrow down your choices . . .
In case you're able to find a boat bow cover from an online boat canvas manufacturer, I'll explain what to expect. If you choose to have one made, you should check out our custom boat cover tip page for decision making questions to ask your custom canvas shop.
With online sellers, you can usually get one in Sunbrella® which is a plus. It's primarily how it is finished out that makes the difference. If you look at the inside edge of these boat bow covers where the snaps are installed, you will see a reinforcement of 1” black webbing.
So then you think great, it's reinforced!
Problems To Consider
Problems you may run into with the 1” webbing reinforcement:
- If the webbing is polypropylene, it will degrade fairly quickly even underneath the cover. When polypropylene ages it disintegrates and black bits of synthetic fiber get all over your boat. The worn out webbing can be replaced at a custom shop, but it will probably cost as much as the cover did.
Cover With Polypropylene Webbing- Webbing shrinkage occurs as webbing ages, and it becomes harder to snap even if you are lucky enough to have gotten nylon webbing instead of polypropylene.
- If you already have snaps on your boat, it may be very difficult for your new cover to reach the old snaps. This may require that you have new boat snaps added in odd places. You also may have to hire someone to install it, which eats up your savings from purchasing online.
- The last problem I will mention is the tent pole that lifts the cover up to properly shed water. Usually the online companies provide a grommet hole where you are expected to insert the tip of the adjustable tent pole and push up. These frequently tear. If that happens, buy a Boat Vent 3 and install it in your boat bow cover.
Boat Vent 3
With the Boat Vent 3, you'll also receive the added bonus of air circulation.
For more information about the Boat Vent 3, see our boat cover repair page.
Retail Boat Bow Covers
Installing a retail purchased bow cover can be done by someone with a medium skill level and a basic knowledge of tools and boat construction.
If you do choose to install it yourself . . .
Visit our store for:
You can probably see where this is leading!
Yes, you are probably going to be happier in the long run with a quality custom bow cover. Notice the bold around quality?
Build a DIY Bow Cover
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Are you thinking of building your own boat cover? Here is a list of the items you will need: |
 92 Polyester Marine Thread 8 oz
Available in Black or White |
 138 Polyester Marine Thread 1 lb Available in Black or White |
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 Adjustable Cam Lock Support Pole |
 Support Pole Base |
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Boat Cover Support Pole Pad
 Pole Ends - Nylon with Stainless Steel Cap 3/4" or Snap 7/8" |
 Pole Tips - Nylon 7/8" |
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14 Tips to "make sure"
you Get the best custom bow cover!
Please visit our custom boat cover tip page to see our 14 Tips To "Make Sure" you get the quality you are looking for. We think you will find our 14 Tips to be a very helpful resource!
Happy Boating!
our EZ-Xtend Boat Zipper products:
EZ-Xtend Boat Zippers
EZ-Xtend Boat Track
EZ-Xtend Drip Shields
Please come visit me at Cover Girl Marine Canvas & Upholstery to see some of our awesome work!
