Sea Ray OEM mooring cover is not Sunbrella fabric?

[blaster]

I am in the process of buying a mooring cover to use over the winter months. I used to store with the cockpit and tonneau cover but the gel coat on the exposed deck surfaces chalked up from all the UV. I wanted to get the new Sea Ray mooring cover but the dealer told me it is solution dyed polyester and not acrylic material. why didn't Sea Ray use Sunbrella fabric? I like the cutouts for the cleats and bimini which are features the Custom fit Westland cover doesn't have. I can get either cover for the same price but I'm concerned about the quality of the polyester material. Please offer opinions on which I should choose. Dennis posted a pic of the Sea Ray cover on a previous thread and it looks really nice but I mostly care about breathability and water repellence. I respect the opinions of the CSR forum and it is a valuable resource. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dave 205]

Blaster, I'm not sure if you are looking just for comments on the Sea Ray cover, or others. I went with the Westland Exact Fit Sharkskin through Overton's. On the plus side, the fit is fairly exact, they put a nice soft lining where it covers stainless steel. On the downside, the fit is only fairly exact - it doesn't stretch as nice as it could, some of the soft lining almost misses its mark, water does permeate through both the fabric and through the seams. I have no vents, and it forms a terrarium in the boat during the summer after it rains.

I have Sunbrella snap cockpit covers, and they let water through to some degree as well. These are as old as my boat, but they were like new and unused when I got them. And without vents, they also produce the terrarium effect.

My '06-'07 205 has pretty much the same profile as your '08-'11. (I have the standard seating with the big sun pad and full rear bench). Unless you have some sort of significant support structure underneath, a big part of the cover will sit quite flat from where the wraparound windshield ends, all the way to the back of the sun pad.

Since I just use the cover for travel and my boat is usually garaged, I have not looked for a better outdoor solution.

I look forward to finding what you succeed with next spring.

 

[blaster]

Thanks for the response Dave. I want the cover from my dealer for the proper fit but I have never seen any material offered by Sea Ray other than Sunbrella. I am concerned the polyester material is going to be similar to your Sharkskin cover which is much lighter weight. From what I've seen Sunbrella material breathes better than solution dyed polyester and lasts longer. I'm trying to weigh the benefit of durability against proper fit. The picture of the Sea ray cover Dennis posted was exactly what I want. I am afraid if I purchase the Westland canvas it won't have the precise fit I desire. I don't want a moldy mess and adding a drying agent to combat mold doesn't cut it under an air tight cover. I can't get any strait answers out of anyone I have spoken with about this. The Sea Ray cover is a new item so it has not been reviewed yet.

 

[blaster]

Had the boat out today and snapped a picture of my new cover. It fits nice and tight and is pretty easy to install. It is a little tricky if you keep the bimini attached but this time of year I keep that at the house. Overall it seems to be high quality and it trailers well. It has two vents at the high point, a built in ratchet strap to tighten it, and it came with tent poles.

 

[Dave 205]

Blaster - looks great! So this is the Sea Ray polyester cover? I'm very interested in the ratchet, mine just has rope coming from each side, and you have to figure it out yourself from there.

When you refer to the bimimi being under it, is that just folded back and on the sunpad?

No tie downs to the trailer?

Where did you get it?

 

[blaster]

Thanks Dave, I purchased it from my Sea Ray dealer. The ratchet is a really nice feature. A nylon strap is hidden inside the edge of the cover and the ratchet is at the center of the stern. Once you fit the cover over the boat you just cinch it up with a few clicks and it's nice and snug. There is a velcro flap that covers and secures the ratchet assembly. To remove the cover you just release the ratchet and it comes right off. There are cutouts for the bimini, to install the cover you have to unbukle the strap mid ship and fit the Velcro cutouts around the bimini. I have the bimini stored now for the winter but I did fit the cover with the bimini and it fits perfect. When its off the cover has flaps which velcro over the cutouts. It wasn't cheap at almost $600 but definately a worthwhile investment.

Blaster - looks great! So this is the Sea Ray polyester cover? I'm very interested in the ratchet, mine just has rope coming from each side, and you have to figure it out yourself from there.

When you refer to the bimimi being under it, is that just folded back and on the sunpad?

No tie downs to the trailer?

Where did you get it?

 

[Dave 205]

And no trailer tie downs? That is nice. On mine, it is kind of tricky to get the tie downs just right so nothing is rubbing the boat, and even then the wind when trailering tends to cause some strumming on the tie downs that will scuff the trailer or the boat.

I think my cover was around $350-$400. I've already spent the difference on yours in paint / gelcoat damage alone. I'd call your cover money well spent.

 

[blaster]

Well my cover lasted eleven years so I think I can check the durability box. I had a few repairs done through the years but it was built solid.

I just bought a new one I hope will last for the next ten years. Looks to be the same as the original cover overall. The only difference was the price went up $400

 

[ChinoTrojan]

Well my cover lasted eleven years so I think I can check the durability box. I had a few repairs done through the years but it was built solid.

I just bought a new one I hope will last for the next ten years. Looks to be the same as the original cover overall. The only difference was the price went up $400View attachment 137819View attachment 137820

Where did you buy the new one from?

 

[blaster]

Prince William marine. The same place as I purchased the first one.

 

[ChinoTrojan]

Prince William marine. The same place as I purchased the first one.

Thank you. Just bought a 2013 Sun Deck 220 and the cover is torn in a couple of places.

 

[KevinC]

Thank you. Just bought a 2013 Sun Deck 220 and the cover is torn in a couple of places.

If you are looking for a factory cover we can help you out. The cover would be the same a made for your boat when new.

If you are interested in getting a quote please send me your info using our request form at www.covemarine.com and I will contact you.

Please give me any specific options about your boat in the comments so that we can find the proper cover. If you would like me to call let me know the best time.

-Kevin