Best Boat Covers for the Money – Buying Guide and Review

Taking care of your boat means making sure it is constantly protected. Even the most durable boats need maintenance, especially when they are occasionally exposed to the sun, affecting their paint and, more than their appearance, their efficiency. One of the things to help you achieve this protection is boat covers.

Boat covers vary, and there are a lot of options out there. However, one thing is sure: you need to know how to choose the best boat covers for the money. You do not want to waste your money buying that that is not compatible with your boat or disappointing quality. This article would help you identify what to consider in purchasing the best boat cover for outdoor storage. Also, you will be presented with the top ten of those who make the best boat covers to give you several options, along with our comparisons and reviews on them.

Things to Consider in Buying the Best Boat Cover for Outdoor Storage

This would be your guide in choosing which boat cover would best fit your need. By examining the important aspects of a boat cover, you will know which would and would not work for you.

Here are several factors to consider:

Size

You need to match the size of your boat cover and your boat. You do not want the boat cover to be too small, for it would not be enough to protect your boat entirely. However, you also do not want to buy that too large, for it would be tough to secure it well onto your boat. Before making the purchase, measure your boat properly, and check the measurements.

Accessories

Boat covers often come with different accessories you can choose from. Extra accessories usually add up to the amount you need to pay for the boat cover, but they also have their benefits. One of the important accessories is a storage bag to place your boat covers when you are not using them to prevent any damages. Extra straps are also helpful accessories in making sure that the cover is secured well onto the boat. Finally, you might want to look for a supporting pole, for it allows you to place the cover onto your boat without having to be bothered by the possibility of water pooling in the cover.

Vents

You need to look for boat covers with appropriate vents. Without the vents, you are most likely to cover your boat while still having moisture. This would allow molds to cover your boat surface. You want to avoid this from happening. It would be harder to clean when boats have molds.

Wind Problems

You don’t want your boat cover to be easily blown by the wind, so you would like that which has a lot of straps that you could securely latch on your boat without having to worry about your boat not being sealed enough.

Method of Attachment

Covers are attached to the boat using different ways. While some use buckles, others use straps. You would want to buy quick-release buckles and easily adjustable straps.

Warranty

Some boat covers come with a warranty. This would assure you that you can ask for repair or replacement if something happens to the cover within a particular year period.


Best Boat Covers Reviews

Knowing the factors to consider in choosing a boat cover is an important part of buying one. Moreover, you need to know what options you have in the market to identify which would work for you best.

So here are the best boat covers for the money that you can choose from:

1. Pyle Armor Shield Boat Cover

Pyle Armor Shield Boat Cover​

This boat cover is not only durable but is also “rot-proof” and susceptible to any UV damage. Its PU undercoating could protect your boat from any weather – including rain or snow. This also makes sure that your boat is free from dirt.

With its rear air vents, you would expect that it would prevent moisture in your boat. It features buckles and straps you can easily latch onto your boat, with elastic cords allowing it to fit your boat perfectly. This is great, as it keeps the cover in place. This comes with a free storage bag. 

The material is made up of tough polyester fabric to ensure durability. It could cover 17 to 19 feet in length. This features interlocking double stitch seams.

Pros

  • It fits the boat very nicely
  • Durable fabric
  • Enough straps
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • Color may change quickly because of sunlight

2. Classic Accessories StormPro Heavy-Duty Boat Cover

Classic Accessories StormPro Heavy-Duty Boat Cover

This boat cover is excellent as it does not easily stretch or shrink. Its fabric is coated to ensure that it is resistant to UV rays, rain, or snow. Its support pole could prevent water from pooling inside of the boat. Air vents and built-in stiffeners make sure that moisture escapes from the boat.

Although quite more expensive than other boat covers, this comes with a couple of useful accessories like a storage bag, adjustable straps, and quick-release buckles.

Made out of 100% polyester, this could fit boats with sizes of 17’ – 19’ length and 102” width either with or without the windshield. This is also cut to ensure that accessories like running lights or bow rails could still fit in the boat.

Pros

  • Designed for boats with sharper edges
  • It comes with a support pole
  • Features own set of tie-down straps
  • It comes with a five-year warranty

Cons

  • Sizes of this boat cover are minimal
  • Might be a bit pricey

3. Classic Accessories Stellex Boat Cover

Classic Accessories Stellex Boat Cover

Its water-resistant and durable polyester material keeps the boat from any dirt and could protect it from any weather. It features an elastic hem cord with trailering straps to make sure that it is held in place. This is very flexible as it can be compatible with several boat sizes, even with windshields and V-hull fishing boats.

This comes with a storage bag and adjustable straps to complete the set. 100% polyester material. 

Could fit boat models of different sizes: from 12-14 ft length x 68 in width up to 17-19 ft length x 106 inches width. Accessories include a storage bag, tie-down straps, and a four-year warranty.

Pros

  • Sturdy and durable
  • Easy to install
  • Includes all the important accessories

Cons

  • You might consider buying support poles to prevent water from pooling

4. Classic Accessories Dry Guard Waterproof Boat Cover

Classic Accessories Dry Guard Waterproof Boat Cover

This DryGuard boat cover lives up to its promise of durability because of its tear-resistant DryGuard fabric material. Elegant in color and design, this boat cover could fit your boat with its elastic cords and straps. To ensure that it protects your boat fully, it features taped seams to prevent water from entering through the stitching. Air vents also protect the boat from unnecessary moisture. You can also store accessories like bow rails and running lights because of the material’s full cut. 

This boat cover could fit most boats with 20’ – 22’ length x 106” width. Great even for those boats with or without windshields. It also works for v-hull, outboards, and others. Comes with tie-down straps, a storage bag, and a four-year warranty.

Pros

  • Easy-to-release straps
  • Waterproof and keeps insides dry
  • Long-lasting
  • Trailerable

Cons

  • Needs support pole

5. North East Harbor Heavy Duty Waterproof Boat Cover

North East Harbor Heavy Duty Waterproof Boat Cover

Made out of denier polyester, this could indeed protect your boat from any UV rays. It also has admirable longevity, as its material is durable and does not easily tear. It does a great job of keeping the water out, preventing any pooling. Its “breathable” fabric does prevent moisture in the boat. It comes with a free mesh storage bag. Gray in color, this boat cover could fit 20-22 ft. length boats. 

This may be compatible with most types of boats, including V-hull runabouts, bass boats, fishing and skiing boats, and the like. Features include QuickSnap straps, shock cord hem, and storage bag.

Pros

  • Prevents water pooling
  • Includes helpful accessories
  • Durable and tear-resistant

Cons

  • Color may fade immediately

6. Budge B-621-X7 Boat Cover

Budge B-621-X7 Boat Cover

This elegant gray boat cover offers marine-grade protection to ensure that your boat is kept from any dirt or water. Crafted to prevent condensation build-up, this boat cover features a durable and breathable fabric material to reduce dust, moisture, and mold. Its hem is also elasticized to make sure that it fits the boat perfectly.

To properly secure it onto the boat, it comes with a heavy shock cord hem, with sewn-in straps that would be useful for trailering.

Models could fit 16’ long to 26’ long boats, with beams that could reach up to 106”. Comes with straps and buckles, a full elastic hem, and taped seams. It is made out of 600 denier polyester material.

Pros

  • Flexible
  • Useful straps and cords
  • Prevents moisture well

Cons

  • May tear easily

7. Komo Covers Heavy Duty Trailerable Boat Cover

Komo Covers Heavy Duty Trailerable Boat Cover

The polyurethane fabric coating that this cover feature assures for maximum durability and longevity. If you desire to store your boat, you need this cover, as it effectively protects it from dust. Its breathable fabric also prevents moisture from forming.

To make sure that this fits in tightly, the cover features double-stitched seams. Comes with straps and a storage bag. 

This boat cover is gray and could fit boats with lengths 14 feet to 28 feet. It is made of polyester fabric.

Pros

  • Durable
  • Could last long
  • It comes with useful accessories

Cons

  • Water may pool without a support pole
  • Cover not very thick

8. MSC Heavy Duty Waterproof Boat Cover

MSC Heavy Duty Waterproof Boat Cover

This boat cover has a double PU coating, which assures its durability. You could use this when you’re storing your boat or putting it for highway travel, without having to worry that it’s going to tear or the sunlight would destroy the paint. Water-resistant and UV-resistant, it has useful straps that keep it in place to make sure that boat is adequately covered.

With models that could fit 16 feet to 24 feet length boats. Made of polyester material. Comes with a one-year warranty.

Pros

  • Fits perfectly
  • Affordable
  • Nice stitching
  • Could cover most parts of the boat

Cons

  • Maybe too thin
  • May tear within a few months.

9. Vortex Ultra Pontoon/Deck Boat Cover

Vortex Ultra Pontoon Boat Cover

This is made of blended materials to ensure that the fabric is durable enough to protect your boat but breathable enough to prevent moisture. It’s great if you also have several color choices to fit your desire. It has notable tolerability, and features added layers to ensure protection. It could cover most boat sizes. This comes with a five-year warranty.

It could fit into 18 feet to 20 feet length boats. Made of polyester material and comes with accessories such as straps and elastic cords for latching.

Pros

  • Could choose your color
  • Affordable
  • Could stretch to cater to different sizes

Cons

  • Might need a support pole

10. Vortex Heavy Duty Boat Cover

Vortex Heavy Duty Boat Cover

This durable boat cover is made explicitly for fish skis to ensure that it fits your boat perfectly. For a snug fit, this features elastic sides. This is even thicker than most boat covers sold commercially. Breathable fabric keeps moisture out. nIt is tailored for fish skis of up to 22 ft long. Comes with a five-year warranty.

Pros

  • Specifically tailored for fish skis
  • Fits perfectly
  • Thicker than other boat covers

Cons

  • Could not prevent water from pooling.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have several options for the best boat covers for the money, perhaps you could figure out which would work best for you. Look for those that meet the factors to consider in buying a boat, those that you can surely afford but at the same time give you the quality and longevity you are looking for – all for the protection of your boat.

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