But as much as we’d like to, we can’t be out on the water all the time. And when our vessels are idle, they need adequate protection from the elements. This is by far the most crucial step in taking care of your boat since being exposed to harsh weather can cause serious damage. Your best bet is to invest in a durable and resilient boat cover and use it for every season.

What Are Boat Covers Made From?

The way a certain material will perform as a cover for a boat comes down to its water-resistant qualities and overall longevity. Some options have greater flexibility, while others provide more protection from the sun.

Polyester

This fabric is woven with strong fibres and provides excellent UV protection thanks to its colourfastness. In addition, it’s mildew, rot and abrasion-resistant, making for a boat cover that offers superior protection from the elements. Its inherent flexibility also allows it to fit snugly around your boat, which is great for preventing water seepage.

Acrylic

This man-made fibre has a soft, wool-like texture and is very durable. It’s able to retain its shape reasonably well over time, providing a secure fit around your boat. It also has excellent UV protection and is quite resistant to mould and mildew, often treated with a water-resistant coating.

Nylon Blends

Nylon is renowned for its strength and longevity, mainly because it’s a lot less prone to wear and tear than other fabrics. It also has good abrasion resistance, so there’s minimal risk of tearing. Unlike polyester covers for boat however, those made from nylon aren’t colourfast and should be treated with a water-resistant coating for maximum protection.

Generally speaking, the heavier the material, the greater protection it offers. Polyester and nylon blends are usually a safe bet as they’re both lightweight and sturdy, but ultimately, acrylic might be the safest option for maximising protection from fluctuating weather conditions.

Major Factors to Consider

Aside from the material, there are a few other important factors to consider when choosing your boat cover. Some of these are often overlooked, but being mindful of them can make all the difference in preserving the condition of your vessel.

Size and Fit

In terms of fit, you can go in one of three ways: custom, styled-to-fit or flex-fit. Custom covers are tailored to your specific boat model and size, providing superior protection as they fit snugly around its contours. When producing them, manufacturers take into account the vessel’s height, width, length and shape for a truly form-fitting design.

Styled-to-fit models are commonly referred to as a semi-custom fit because they are designed for a specific make and model but not to its exact dimensions. These are often made with a drawcord, allowing you to adjust the tightness and overall shape.

Finally, flex-fit varieties can suit multiple boat models and sizes within a certain range. They’re usually made from a stretchable material to allow for a more adjustable fit, but since they don’t hug the shape of your hull as well as the other two, their waterproofing abilities may be compromised.

Breathability

Keeping your boat’s interior well-ventilated is key to your overall health, mainly because high humidity levels can cause mould and mildew to form. This is why breathable fabrics are critical when it comes to covering it during storage or in between outings. Without proper ventilation, the air inside can become stagnant and result in unbearable odours.

In most cases, polyester and acrylic coverings provide good breathability due to their woven construction and often have additional vent flaps so that air can circulate. Nylon is somewhat breathable, but if you’re intent on using a nylon blend for your cover, make sure to add air vents to enhance circulation. You should check the product description for breathability ratings before making a purchase.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Regularly cleaning and maintaining your cover is a fundamental step in ensuring its longevity. The best way to go about this is to follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer. In most cases, it involves hosing down the cover, scrubbing it with mild soap and a brush, and then allowing it to air dry.

How Do You Put a Cover on Your Boat?

Once you’ve decided on the make and model that best suits your needs, you’ll need to know how to properly apply the cover. The process may vary depending on the type of model you have, but in general, you should start by laying the cover on the deck and fitting it over each side of the hull.

Next, secure the front and back of your vessel by wrapping the cover tie-down straps, loops or webbing around the cleats. Make sure these are tight and secure before moving on to the following step. Once everything is in place, using the elastic cord sewn into the hem of the cover, pull it snug around your boat’s contours and tie it off. Now you can rest assured that it’ll be kept in pristine condition until the next time you want to catch some waves.

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If you are a boat owner, you certainly know how important proper boat storage is. But finding the right boat storage Melbourne company is not easy. And there are other factors to consider like how often will you use your boat, the size and of course, your budget. Season is also another important factor when deciding on the proper boat storage. For example, in the summer, you will use your boat more often and you will certainly want a quick access to it. And in winter, you will be more concerned with harmful environmental elements, theft and vandalism. Because of this, is very important to choose the right boat storage Melbourne company that will ensure secured, reliable and high quality boat storage service.

Summer Storage

Boat storage for boats that are less then 6 meters long

1. Trailer – If you own a trailer, you can store your boat in your backyard. Make sure you buy quality covers to protect it from rain, leaves, etc. Or you can look for a boat storage Melbourne company that offers boat storage for boats on trailers.
2. Multi-Story Boat Storage – Numerous boat storage Melbourne companies offer this type of dry boat storage where boats are literally stacked into racks using a forklift.
3. Derrick – If you have a waterfront property, your best boat storage solution would be to install a lifting device known as derrick.

If you your boat is 6 to 10 meters long, all of the small-size boat storage options are available to you. Most boat storage Melbourne companies can accommodate midsize boats. Aside from trailer, dry racks and derricks, you can also look for wet dockage which allows quick and easy access to your water gear. This type of boat storage is also recommended for boats more than 10 meters long. The main reason is that it is not really practical nor cheap to haul out a large boat between uses. This is why most of them remain afloat.

Winter Storage

1. Tarps – Quality tarps are inexpensive way to protect your boat from environmental elements, mildew, rust, rodents and even vandalism. They are recommended when storing a boat in a garage or backyard.
2. Shrink Wrapping – This boat storage has become very popular in recent years. It uses the same technique used for shrink wrapping smaller objects. Your boat will be completely safe from any external elements. However, this boat storage has one downside – the shrink wrapping film is not reusable. Once cut off, the plastic film cannot be used for another shrink wrapping.
3. Dry Boat Storage – This boat storage option is the best. Boat storage Melbourne companies offer 24/7 security monitoring in all dry boat storage facilities. Your boat will be safe from different harmful weather elements and theft. Also, most boat storage Melbourne facilities offer some type of maintenance so your boat will be ready to sail when you are.

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Whether you own a boat or are considering buying one, it is very important to know how can you preserve its original condition and function for as long as possible. Unlike cars, boats are not that commonly used and it is normal for most people to be less informed about maintenance, as well as proper usage. Because the word boat is a broad term, we will focus on small boats and ideal methods to maintain them. However, even smaller boats differ from one another in size, type of engine, manufacturer and other details that often cause misunderstandings in their service and repairs. Compared to other types of transportation vehicles, boats require a slightly more delicate care because even when not used, they can get damaged by dampness and dirt. That is why special storage for boats companies exist and offer professional boat and caravan storage services to novice boat owners. To give a better overview of what should owners focus on, we will give you several tips on service and storage solution that can prolong the life of your vessel.

Battery charging and replacement

One great service that storage for boats companies offer is decent battery care. However, if you are not in a good financial condition to pay for such service, you can always do this by yourself. What you need to keep an eye on, are the battery fluids and charging your battery on a regular basis. Just make sure that you notice when the battery wears off and when you need to replace it.

Cleaning on a regular basis

Most often problems associated with boat maintenance occur due to the fact that owners skip simple tasks like cleaning their watercraft on a regular basis. The solution – start cleaning more often! Not only will your boat exterior look more appealing, but routine cleaning will help your boat counteract the damaging effects from regular wear. As we said, if you don’t have the time to wash and polish your boat it is better to outsource these activities to professional storage for boats. It is either that or paying huge bills for repainting and refurbishing.

Regular repair and inspection

Boat engines are out of reach for even the best self-made mechanics. That is why it is advisable to take your boat for a regular inspection at storage for boat facilities, than to play an expert and damage the engine.

Winter boat care

Taking care of your boat becomes even more demanding during winter. To avoid erosion, it is best to have your boat covered at all times, and preferably in a climate controlled facility. This is where boat and caravan storage services come in handy.

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