Boat covers: custom vs semi custom?

**mxz** · 05-23-2017, 08:02 PM

The factory mooring cover on my Grandsport is on its last legs. Has anyone tried one of the "styled to fit" covers you can buy such as made by Carver? Contacted a couple places today and quotes are around $1500 for a custom fit cover. Could order one right from Allison but with our crappy Canadian dollar plus shipping and other fees it would be very close to having one made up here. The styled to fit Sun-dura cover by Carver is under $650, big difference!
Thanks for any info

**2jz** · 05-23-2017, 08:54 PM

I currently have style to fit cover on my 27 activator best money I've spent. This is my second one. The first one was a five year warranty material and leaked water after two years of use. I took pics contacted covers direct and was given the option to buy same 5 year warranty material at an adjusted price or get 7 year warranty material. I got 7 year warranty cover in two weeks no hassle

**JBS** · 05-24-2017, 05:13 PM

Just bought a Taylor made from West marine. I was surprised how well it fit the Paramount. It was half the price of a custom made and came with a 5 year warranty.Hope it last.

**John S** · 05-24-2017, 06:08 PM

Easy answer. Get one custom made. It will fit perfect, you can get tie down points where you want them/ features you want (vents, openings for access to the interior, etc), and it can be made to cover the whole sides, or as a travel cover, etc. No brainer IMO. It will be made for YOUR boat, and no mass produced cover can equal that.

**flabum1017** · 05-24-2017, 06:51 PM

What is the U.S price on the one from the factory?

**mxz** · 05-24-2017, 07:03 PM

Pretty sure they are $850US from the factory. Add exchange, shipping, taxes and any broker fees and it is probably close to $1300 Canadian.

**jmorera** · 07-10-2017, 05:26 PM

JBS, I'm looking for a cover for my 21' Paramount, do you think you could tell me exactly which one you bought? I was considering the Taylor Made one sold at West Marine for "Bay Style V-Hull Center Console" (21'5"-22'4" Centerline, 102" Beam). Is that the one? Even better if you have a pic of how it fits the boat. Thanks!

**Tomanytoys** · 07-10-2017, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by mxz

Pretty sure they are $850US from the factory. Add exchange, shipping, taxes and any broker fees and it is probably close to $1300 Canadian.

Ive got covers from Allison a couple times.
It's worth it!!
They fit perfect and I've never seen another cover made with the same material.

**H20WKD** · 07-10-2017, 10:21 PM

New style fully soft lined Allison cover for on the road....

Custom "garage" cover from ATM Restyle for on the pad..

Bob

**71V153** · 07-11-2017, 04:40 PM

Gotta admit a few of the store bought one's fit some boats purty good. However you still don't get top shelf material or thread. I use Sunbrella and Tenara aka GoreTex. Ten year warranty on the material and the thread is guaranteed for the life of whatever material you sew with it. Owned the shop for going on 14 years and have yet to see something I made come back due to material or thread failure.

Oddly enough I get a lot of requests to repair and/or restitch semi-custom covers? My favorite is: "I bought this on-line, can you make it fit my boat"? Sigh ...

Regardless. For these style boats I generally charge around $50 bucks a running foot for covers.

Here's one a guy stole from me for $1200. Mastercraft tournament ski boat w/fold down wakeboard tower. Note how far it comes down the sides of the boat? What was I thinkin ...

**71V153** · 07-11-2017, 07:00 PM

Before you buy a generic cover from a stranger. Please remember your local friendly canvas dude, out there doin all he can to feed his starving family ...