Seal skin covers?

PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 4,396 ✭✭✭✭✭
in General Boating Discussions
Has anyone on here had any experience with them? After 5 years of storage under a tarp my gel coat was taking a beating and i was tired of replacing a 150 dollar tarp every 6 to 8 months.  The battle with mold on the non skid was tiring. 

The seal skin cover was sub 450 shipped with whats supposed to be a lifetime warranty.  

Did well during the recent tropical storm, some 3 inches of rain.  Winds up to 20 to 30 mph gusts. 

I had to put two 6 ft (yes ft) beach balls under the cover at the bow so water didnt pool between the rails.  Also needed a hockey stick attached to the anchor to make for one more high spot.   

I hope i get a year or two out ouf it. The hull is a bayliner 2859 and i was able to install it solo. Would be easier with a second set of hands. 
· Share on Facebook

Comments

  • Rich_Rich_ Member Posts: 365 ✭✭✭
    I have them on my whalers and waverunners. I had one of the whaler ones start to rip after a rather snowy/icy winter where water pooled (I also had to do beach balls to attempt to prop areas so water runs off). I sent them a picture of the rip and they sent out a new cover. One of the waverunner covers seems to have shrunk a bit so I might inquire with them about how to handle that but otherwise for the price they have been decent “not so perfect fit” covers
    Rinker sold but still have other boats        Eastern LI, NY
    · Share on Facebook
  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 596 ✭✭✭
    No personal experience with them but have heard several people talk about 
     

    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
    · Share on Facebook
  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,517 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Fisher Canvas was the worst purchase I made for my former 330. Heavy as f and incredibly expensive.
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
    · Share on Facebook
  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 596 ✭✭✭
    Good to know 
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
    · Share on Facebook
  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,517 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Also because it was rough canvas the snow stuck to it. The cover wasn’t designed to have a high ridge line so I had to repeatedly knock the snow off it (3 hour round trip drive). It would have been fine in an area that gets minimal snow (albeit still very heavy). 

    I really wanted to like it as shrink wrap is gross from an environmental impact perspective, but alas. 
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
    · Share on Facebook
  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 596 ✭✭✭
    https://straightlinecanvas.com/ saw lots of ads for these. No idea if they are any good but they look nice
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
    · Share on Facebook
  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 596 ✭✭✭
    Wow just did quote for my boat & came back at $2400
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
    · Share on Facebook
  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,960 mod
    I know, I’ve shown it many times.  And yes, I’ve had over two feet of snow and more at one time and it falls right off.  The surface feels like vinyl.  Material is stamoid light.  Whole thing weighs less than half of what my Fischer cover for my 310 weighed.


    What exactly is seal skin?   Anyone ever see covers like this that you drive right into after every outing and then zip the back?


    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

    · Share on Facebook
  • LaReaLaRea Member, Moderator Posts: 8,076 mod
    Yes!  I've seen a few of those drive-in covers.  Definitely a nice solution, especially in southern sun exposures where you really need a 12-month cover.  
    · Share on Facebook
  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 596 ✭✭✭
    There is one something like that at our marina. Only one i have ever seen. We are looking for different cover for next year. Putting the snap on canvas is a pain in the but. Traditional cover would probably work much better & hopefully keep out the mud dobbers. 
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
    · Share on Facebook
  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,517 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I have an Outer Armor cover for my jet boat that is awesome. Amazing fit and great quality. Not sure what type of cover you are after exactly but if you want a tight fit cover it could be worth looking at. 
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
    · Share on Facebook
  • PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 4,396 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited October 16
    I really don't have to worry much about snow...we could get 12" in January but usually its .25" to 3" and gone in 24 hours.  

    What we do get plenty of is sun and spring storms with wind gusts. 

    To me the seal skin feels like a heavy duty car cover.  Doesn't feel anything like the skin of an actual skin.  
    · Share on Facebook
  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 256 ✭✭✭
    Dream_Inn said:

    Is this cover a specific brand, or is it custom made?
    2006 342EC - Twin Mercruiser 350 MAG MPI Horizons
    · Share on Facebook
  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,960 mod
    grouch0jr said:
    Dream_Inn said:

    Is this cover a specific brand, or is it custom made?
    I had it custom made.  I’ll be installing it next weekend for the 14th winter.  Still looks like new.

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

    · Share on Facebook
  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 256 ✭✭✭
    Dream_Inn said:
    grouch0jr said:
    Dream_Inn said:

    Is this cover a specific brand, or is it custom made?
    I had it custom made.  I’ll be installing it next weekend for the 14th winter.  Still looks like new.
    How does the ridgeline work? I know that Fischer requires a 2x4 or whatever, is yours just a line?
    2006 342EC - Twin Mercruiser 350 MAG MPI Horizons
    · Share on Facebook
  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,960 mod
    I use a PVC frame for mine.

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

    · Share on Facebook
Sign In or Register to comment.