Should I tow my boat w/ or w/o cover on?

probably have over 5000 highway miles on my boat, all covered. No damage at all. Custom snap on cover, by Howard Lohaus in Cottage Grove, WI.

X4

probably have over 5000 highway miles on my boat, all covered. No damage at all. Custom snap on cover, by Howard Lohaus in Cottage Grove, WI.

X3

probably have over 5000 highway miles on my boat, all covered. No damage at all. Custom snap on cover, by Howard Lohaus in Cottage Grove, WI.

X2

Well Bud Wiser , with all the replies to your dilemma. What did you decide to do?????????

The one time I pulled my ski boat it started raining and my cover stretched out. So now i take it off to travel

I did however have the front of my cover made so it extended down so it snaps into the trailer to prevent rock chips in the front of my boat.

Was a good idea at the time but I paid around $750 for the cover to be custom made and after pulling it once and seeing it stretch a little I decided to take it off when I travel now.

Still a great cover though. Would recommend M&M Upholstery in Machesney Park Illinois to anybody.

Here is a pic of my interior and cover..

""I work at the bait shop in waterford on the fox and we make boat covers and the only thing I will tell you is DO NOT TRAILER THE BOAT WITH THE COVER ON. custom or crap walmart cover. It does not matter they will pull the seams and possibly rub a hole in it." "

Hmmmmm

we have never repaired any of ours. scotts covers are awesome.

Contradict yourself much?

I will put my custom cover on for long distance towing. Never have I had a problem.

One thing I can tell you is every setup is different.

Ask yourself the question why do you have a boat cover. I don't think the first considerations was mpg on the tow vehicle. Mine was to protect the boat and the contents.

I trailer my boat alot, more than I care to, and here are several things to consider.

Depending on how your cover is fitted and the backing (felt) in critical area's it can wear on your boat finish.

I know on my boat and motor cover that fits cleanly my boat, tow vehicle milage is reduced between 1.5 and 2 mpg depending on speed. That being said When I'm traveling several hundred miles at a time I like my cover on, you never know what weather, dirt roads and dust you will run thru, and when making stops there is a little less worry on reach in's.

If I'm going a short distance and confident of weather and road conditions I will leave the cover off. Then you need to make sure all gear is properly stowed so cushions, vest, or what ever items which are not sufficently dense enough to keep them in the boat don't blow out.

Bottom line if you don't use your cover for keeping weather & road out, and gear in whats the purpose. If your cover tears up your boat finish they you have improperly fitting cover. If you want to leave your cover off for improved mileage go for it. If your cover improves your mileage then all the better.

The only time I will leave my cover off on long trips is if the boat has been soaked due to weather and wave conditions on the previous fishing trip and it needs an opportunity to dry out if weather conditions permit.

This all comes down to common sense and what works for you and what is your objective protect the boat and gear, good mileage or both.. Everyone will be different.

good luck GF

I leave the cover off when traveling*** The new alumacraft I bought the cover actually rubs the clearcoat off the boat*** I would rather have less mpg's than a boat with the paint rubbed off in spots

2006-year of new boat,& custom cover.

10,000 miles-estimated low end miles on boat,& custom cover.

still going strong.

I always to with the cover on if going any great distance. I have an 18 year old drawstring cover that has a ton of miles for the old boat and a snap on cover that is 6 years old for the "new" boat that has many miles as well. Neither has ever needed a repair. Both from Howard Lohaus, both excellent covers.