If you otherwise treat your boat well, in the long run, sun is what will kill your boat. With a good coat of varnish, the varnish will slowly deteriorate. Once the varnish is burned off, the epoxy starts to die. When the epoxy is toast, the wood starts to deteriorate.
This can be controlled by maintaining your varnish. But in sunny climates, your varnish may not last a year if you keep the boat outside. A cover is a good way to protect the varnish and in turn the whole boat.
I've made a bunch of covers over the years. The easiest is to get some knit fabric that is a bit stretchy. Drape it over the boat and mark where the two sides meet along the keel. Sew along this line, back to about the widest point and then make over lapping flaps that can be closed with velcro. These are pretty easy and can be done with a standard sewing machine.
Knit Fabric Cover:
I've also used heavy duty fabric intended for outdoor use such as Sunbrella. I used a video on the Sailrite site as a guide: http://www.sailrite.com/How-to-Make-a-Power-Boat-Cover-Video These are pretty involved, fitting can be tricky, and the heavy fabric needs a beefy sewing machine.
Heavy Duty:
If you don't want to make your own, CLC sells some covers: http://www.clcboats.com/shop/products/boat-gear/kayak-gear-accessories/adjustable-canvas-kayak-cover.html
Messages In This Thread
- Off Topic: Travel Cover
Charles Robinson -- 11/22/2014, 6:18 pm- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
george jung -- 11/22/2014, 6:33 pm- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover *PIC*
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 11/22/2014, 8:10 pm- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Jeff Horton -- 11/22/2014, 10:08 pm- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Bill Hamm -- 11/23/2014, 1:39 am- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Paul Davies -- 11/23/2014, 2:45 am- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Bill Hamm -- 11/23/2014, 4:43 am- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
bsoderholm -- 11/23/2014, 10:33 am
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover *PIC*
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 11/23/2014, 11:48 am- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Charles Robinson -- 11/24/2014, 7:41 am- Travel Cover
I made one - no sewing -- 11/24/2014, 3:25 pm- That was me.
Jay Babina -- 11/24/2014, 3:29 pm
- That was me.
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Marc Upchurch -- 11/24/2014, 8:05 am - Travel Cover
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Nork Norvold -- 11/23/2014, 8:18 pm- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Mike Bielski -- 11/24/2014, 9:29 am- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Jeff Horton -- 3/8/2015, 8:04 am- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Bill Hamm -- 3/8/2015, 4:24 pm- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Bill Padin -- 3/8/2015, 6:02 pm- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Jeff Horton -- 3/8/2015, 9:44 pm
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 3/8/2015, 6:22 pm- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Jeff Horton -- 3/8/2015, 9:39 pm- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Mike Bielski -- 3/9/2015, 10:12 pm- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
Jeff Horton -- 3/10/2015, 8:51 am
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover *PIC*
- Re: Off Topic: Travel Cover