PontoonBoats

Official Guide to Everything About Pontoon Boats

Pontoon Boat Console Covers

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Modern day pontoon boats are equipped with sophisticated electrical equipment and gadgets. The boats have high end tachometers, GPS, professional grade audio head units and speakers, fishfinders, and many other useful devices. These devices are quite expensive and replacing them will cost both time and money. Also, a boat owner does not want to be taken by surprise when one of these devices starts malfunctioning on the sea in the middle of a fun expedition. Pontoon boat console covers help to keep everything safe.

Care of these devices and protecting them from being damaged by elements of nature such as water and dust, can not only help to keep these devices safe and running efficiently but also help to avoid unforeseen inconveniences. Pontoon boat console covers help in keeping these devices safe and sound. These covers are specifically manufactured to cover the console area of the boat that has controls and electronic equipment. High quality marine grade material is used for these covers which is weather proof and durable.

Console Cover Manufacturers

There are quite a few companies who are engaged in manufacturing of pontoon boat console covers. A few of them offering the best products on the market are listed here:

Carver Covers – Universal Center Console Covers

Carver Covers offers the Universal Center Console Cover. This cover not only shields the console area but also protects the console seat. For accommodating different sized consoles, the cover has an adjustable strap which can be used to adapt the cover to the console. To ensure that the cover stays in place, Carver has also included a shock cord in its hem. Universal center console cover is among the best pontoon boat console covers available in the market right now. Universal cover is made in three different sizes i.e. small size with housing for 40″D 33″W 36″H console, medium size with 45″D 36″W 46″H console space and large size with 50″D 40″W 60″H. The cover comes in all the fabrics that are used by Carver for their other boat covers. These include the superior quality Sunbrella that has 10-year warranty, the excellent quality Sun-DURA with a 7-year warranty, the Performance Poly-Guard with a 5-year warranty, double deck with a 3-year warranty and a good quality Poly-Flex with a 2-year warranty.

Classic Accessories – Stellex Center Console Cover

Classic Accessories manufactures the Stellex Center Console Cover. As the name suggests, the cover makes use of the Stellex polyester fabric which is trademark of the company. The fabric provides protection from all sort of weathers, dust and the UV rays of the sun. The helm of the cover houses an elastic cord that helps to adapt the cover to fit the console and also keeps it secure. It is quite resistant to stains, water and dirt. The offering from Classic Accessories is a good one when it comes to pontoon boat console covers and is backed by a 4-year warranty. It is available in blue and comes in three different sizes. A small size which fits consoles of size 36”W 24”L 42”H, a medium size for consoles of 40”W 30”L 44”H and a large size that accommodates consoles of 46”W 40”L 45”H.

Eevelle CON-1 Center Console Cover

Eevelle CON-1 Center Console Cover is another option worth considering for people who are looking for pontoon boat console covers. The cover is made with a polyester canvas which is 100% marine grade. The company claims that the canvas has a greater than strength Sunbrella fabric and is shrink and stretch proof. The cover is made weatherproof with a Durapel coating. For different fittings, it can be adjusted using a drawstring closure system. It has even been tested and approved for trailering. The cover is backed with a five-year warranty and is available in small, medium and large sizes.

Click this link for additional information about Fun Pontoon Boat Accessories.

Pontoon Boat Covers with Snaps

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Pontoon boats are your prized possession and must be cared for and maintained well. Weather conditions are one of the biggest factors that tarnish and blemish the appearance of the boat. To improve the life of the boat and ensure that it looks sparkling and shining, it must be covered when not in use especially while mooring. Covering the boat helps to keep it clean and dry by protecting it from rain, sun, dusty winds, and sometimes even snow. Covers of different types are available that may be bought with the boat itself from the manufacturer or aftermarket. Some companies manufacture pontoon boat covers with snaps that are easy to install and cover the boat well.

Advantages of Pontoon Boat Covers With Snaps

pontoon boat covers with snaps

Compared to conventional covers, pontoon boat covers with snaps are easier to use. These covers fit into the snaps that are installed on to boats generally in the gunwale area. The snaps might either be pre-fitted by the boat manufacturer itself, or maybe installed by a boat dealer who also sells boat covers. The number of snaps and the distance between snaps may vary depends on who makes the pontoon boat cover with snaps. The higher the number of snaps, the more tightly fitting and secure the cover will be. The distance between the snaps maybe as less as a couple of inches. These covers can be used for both mooring and travelling.

Conventional covers are secured with bungee cords that are wrapped around the boat to ensure that the cover stays secure. However, some part such as the ends of the cover will generally be loose and the cover will flap about with wind. This can be problematic as the repeated flapping due to winds may cause the cover to be abrasive and scratch the boat surface or even peel off the paint. The pontoon boat covers with snaps are not prone to flapping in strong winds as they are not loose enough to flail around and hence will not harm the paint. This allows the boat to be towed on the highway without damage as well as the perfect fit of these covers minimizes wind drag or wind flapping.

Bungee cords used to hold the traditional covers may also come off or even break especially on highway and in windy weather freeing the cover and leaving the boat exposed. Even while the boat is moored, the cover with snaps stays on in strong winds. These covers also look aesthetically pleasing as they don’t have any cords and even the snaps installed on the boat can be hidden under the edged of the pontoon deck if you desire, otherwise the look of a “snap” cover can actually be kind of cool anyhow, so no need to hide them! Another advantage to using pontoon boat covers with snaps is that the snaps can actually last a really long time, and if they do fail, they can easily be replaced either by yourself if you have the right tool, or taken in pretty quickly to a cover maker or even a seamstress or tailor may be able to assist.

Disadvantages of Using Pontoon Boat Covers with Snaps

The only couple of disadvantages that may come with boat covers with the snaps that we can think of is:

  • If there is a snap receiving an unusual amount of stress (i.e. if the fabric is too tight or loose at that particular snap) then the fabric may end of ripping right at the snap and that is a little more difficult to repair than an actual snap.
  • If your boat doesn’t already have the “female” end of the snap installed on the boat then you (or someone you pay) will have to install those through the boat and will have to place them at the exact correct location.
  • If a snap does break free in strong wind or especially while trailering your boat then the snap can cause some pretty serious paint damage if you don’t stop and fix the problem right away. Many people actually recommend removing pontoon boat covers when trailering to prevent this potential issue but you really can’t help when a strong wind comes through your area.

Manufacturers of Pontoon Boat Covers With Snaps

A variety of pontoon boat covers with snaps are available in different levels of quality and price from multiple manufacturers.

Canvas Craft

pontoon boat covers with snaps Canvas Craft

Canvas Craft is known for manufacturing world class and perfect fitting boat covers since three decades. They customize and design pontoon boat covers with snaps as per the specification of boats. While designing the cover they consider all the bulges and curves, motors and ladders to ensure a perfect fit. Their covers are backed by a two-year warranty.

Permatop

pontoon boat covers with snaps Permatop

With over four decades of experience, Permatop is another manufacturer of pontoon boat covers with snaps. The covers include adjustable tentpoles and can be fitted to match the existing snaps. The covers may also be customized to shield the bow area of boat by extending the snap line. The materials available for the covers include Aquatime, Sunbrella and Top gun. The best part about Permatop (other than their high quality and custom covers) is that they also remake old covers for their customers by using their actual old cover if you send it to them. This means that you don’t actually have to live near Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota to get a custom pontoon boat cover with snaps from them! Don’t get me wrong, I am sure that Lake Minnetonka is a fabulous place to live – during the summer. I just have been to Minnesota during the winter once and I am not planning on coming back anytime soon!

A regular cover from a manufacturer may also be installed with snaps after being purchased as long as that cover from the manufacturer is for the exact boat model that you are looking for. Additionally your local boat dealer who you bought your boat from or whoever sells the brand of boat that you own should be able to either create a custom pontoon boat cover with snaps for you or I am sure that they know someone who could do it for you! 

Click this link for additional information about Fun Pontoon Boat Accessories.

Custom Sweetwater Pontoon Boat Covers

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Sweetwater boats have been the trademark of the boat manufacturer Godfrey who have been in the business of pontoon boats for over five decades. These boats are one of the most popular boats in the country and across the globe for the value they provide compared to their cost.

For owners having a Sweetwater boat, it’s not just a water vessel they own, it’s an iconic piece of Godfrey’s legacy. And this legacy that they own is prone to environmental detrition and requires protection. Even when parked on a lift, a pontoon boat may accumulate airborne dirt and dust and must be shielded. There are multiple custom sweetwater pontoon boat covers available from different manufacturers that can be used to sheathe these boats.

Custom Vs. Generic Covers

Custom covers are designed based on the exact dimensional specifications of the boat. This ensures that they will imitate every curve and bend on the boat and will fit it snuggly. If a boat company makes some changes to the design of a boat, cover manufacturers will readjust the custom sweetwater pontoon boat cover to the new make. Every different model and make of a Sweetwater boat from Godfrey will have a different cover made specifically for it.

Generic covers are designed to be economical and with a fitting that can accommodate boats of different models and manufacturers. They may fit a boat quite well, be a little short and tight or might even end up being loose and flappy.

Custom-fit boat covers are perfect for covering the boat even when they are being towed on the highway. They are designed to minimize the drag resulting from air when travelling at high speeds. This diminishes the impact on the speed of vehicle towing the boat and allows faster travelling. Generic covers on the other hand are not aerodynamic and will on contrary increase the drag effect of the air.

Manufacturers of Custom Sweetwater Pontoon Boat Covers

There are multiple companies that design and manufacture custom sweetwater pontoon boat covers.

Carver Sweetwater Custom Fit Boat Covers

Carver has been offering boat covers for over 30 years. They have different covers, each sketched uniquely for boats based on their year model and make. The covers are aerodynamically designed and are padded at points that are more prone to wear and tear due to stress to increase durability. And the biggest advantage with their covers is they are all made locally, in USA. They have stringent quality procedures and are one of the best custom sweetwater pontoon boat covers.

They have multiple quality covers with Sunbrella being the best and most durable backed by a 10-year warranty, Sub-DURA having a great quality with 7-year warranty, a good quality Performance PolyGuard with a 5-year warranty and a Double Duck with 3-year warranty.

Westland’s Exact Fit Custom Sweetwater Boat Covers

Westland is a custom sweetwater pontoon boat cover manufacturer boasting of an experience of over four decades. Their Exact Fit boat covers are among the best in class and have a tight fitting to protect the boats. The provide specific covers to boats of more than 150 companies based on model, make and year of manufacturer. They have Sunbrella covers with 10-year warranty and excellent quality, Sharkskin Supreme boat covers that are of good quality and have 7-year warranty and Sharkskin Plus with 5-year warranty.

The covers also come in multiple color options to match the boats décor and individual tastes. These custom sweetwater pontoon boat covers are a perfect companion to the Godfrey Sweetwater boats and ensure it looks as new as it ever was.

Best Covers for Pontoon Boats

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A pontoon is a flotation device with buoyancy sufficient to float itself as well as a heavy load on the surface of water. A pontoon boat is a flattish boat that relies on pontoons to float.

Pontoon boats have massive decks which can then be customized according to the owners’ preferences. Customers can have extended lounge areas, sun pads and many more similar luxurious options. Thus, the pontoon boats are expensive, and without cover, they would wear out ten times faster. Thus it makes sense that pontoon boats should be protected from rain, sun and extreme weather conditions to make sure their longevity is well extended.

Boats usually take a lot of abuse both on and off water. The weather conditions including the rain and the sun, causes considerable wear and tear to the boat. The corrosive effects of salt and water in addition to the occasional collisions, all these add up to the damages the boat faces. Thus it becomes important to cover the boats when they are not in use or in storage. These covers are also meant for winter storage.

Some of the best pontoon boat covers are as follows:

  • Yescom Pontoon Boat Cover:
    • The material is of good and high quality (600 denier), contains water PU resistant coating over it. This makes the cover last much longer. Also, it is a lot less likely that seams would come up at the edges because the cover is stitched twice.
    • Another unique feature about the cover is that it has elastic all the way around itself and this enables the buckle straps move over the top easily. And this in turn makes to connect the cover with the boat smoothly.
    • One of the limitations it has that the number of straps is comparatively lesser, which might create an issue in case of strong winds.
    • It comes in a big bag, which is used to store the cover, while boat is out on the waters.
  • New Vortex Pontoon Boat Cover:
    • It is made of high quality material (600 Denier) and water resistant.
    • The seams are ripped in short order.
    • It is comparatively more expensive.
    • Its limitation is that it does not come down nearly as far on the boat, which does not allow it to offer enough protection to the sides of the boat.
  • North East Harbor Pontoon Boat Cover:
    • It is also made of 600 Denier high quality water resistant material with elastic around the straps and the edges.
    • It has several straps to cover the boat, thus offering more protection and security to the boat.
    • It has lesser durability.
  • Pyle Armor Shield Pontoon Boat Cover:
    • It comes in various sizes to fit one’s boat.
    • It provides the most custom fit look compared to its contemporaries.
    • It has an extra flap at the back for the engine, which differentiates it from other pontoon boat covers.
Click this link for additional information about Fun Pontoon Boat Accessories.

Pontoon Boat Covers with Snaps

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A pontoon is a flotation device with buoyancy sufficient to float itself as well as a heavy load on the surface of water. A pontoon boat is a flattish boat that relies on pontoons to float.

Pontoons are tubes which contain more than sufficient amount of buoyancy. This feature allows boat designers to design and create massive decks which can then be customized according to the owners’ preferences. Customers can have extended lounge areas, sun pads and many more similar luxurious options. This also makes pontoon boats favourably suitable to accommodate large groups of people as well.

With all these characteristics and features, it makes sense that pontoon boats should be protected from rain, sun and extreme weather conditions to make sure their longevity is well extended. Pontoon boat covers are used for the same purpose.

Boats usually take a lot of abuse both on and off water. The weather conditions including the rain and the sun, causes considerable wear and tear to the boat. The corrosive effects of salt and water in addition to the occasional collisions, all these add up to the damages the boat faces. Thus it becomes important to cover the boats when they are not in use or in storage. The cover would shield the boat from the worst effects of the above mentioned factors. These covers are also meant for winter storage.

Covering the boats, similar to various aspects of boating provides a lot of choices, but one should tread carefully to decide the type of cover depending upon the features of the particular boat and the nature of the usage. Deciding which type of boat cover is suitable for your boat is an important decision as it is a matter of preventing the boat from degrading. Covers can be either custom or universal. Custom covers are made specifically for a particular type of boat whereas; universal covers are made for general boat models.

To fasten the cover with the boat, a small screw resembling structure called snap is used. To extend their longevity, they need lubrication at regular intervals. There are different types of snaps, depending upon the wind and angle factors.

  • Button Fasteners: They consist of a button and a socket crimped together. Dot fasteners and Fasnap are common names in this category.

  • YKK Snads: YKK has introduced a new line of boat cover snaps, domed plastic with adhesive backs. They work well with all types of buttons and durable snaps.

  • Screw Studs: These are used in companionship of the button fasteners.

  • Pull the Dot Snaps: Even though they look similar to the glove buttons, they only come out in one direction. It has a little flat surface, which is designed to hook over the edge of the flange.

  • Curtain Fasteners: They are directional fasteners, also known as twist fasteners or turn fasteners. They are easy to use and have a low failure rate.

  • Lift the Dot Snaps: They are also directional fasteners, but the problem with them is that there is a tiny spring inside the eyelet hole which sometimes gets sprung and doesn’t fit over the top.

Click this link for additional information about Fun Pontoon Boat Accessories.

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