Ideas for travel cover ?

[Kaffi311]

New 2024 222 here- we need to drive six hours to our home up in New York. We definitely want to cover the boat. The dealer is working on getting us the delivery cover, but I don't know if we'll have it in time to travel up to New York. So we may have to bite the bullet and buy a cover. I know the Yamaha one is over $1000. Are there any other travel covers that people have used that have done well and not broke the bank? Thanks for help.

 

[Babin Farms]

Did you not get a cover when you purchased the boat?

 

[BumbleBee255]

I was told when I bought my boat that after the shipping cover is removed for the sale, it is no longer any good for road travel. Said something about cutting straps to take it off. Dealer said it would flap like a big sail! I have mine, I should look and see if they cut anything. I will say this, it's hard to beat the Yamaha cover, fits like a glove.

 

[Kaffi311]

M

Did you not get a cover when you purchased the boat?

No, we did not. But we did call back and ask if we could have the Yamaha cover that it shipped with. He said ours was damaged but he will give us the next one that comes in when they get a new boat. So until then we’re without a cover. And we do have to drive to New York soon, so I think we’re going to have to purchase one.

 

[Thermobrett]

What's the reason for wanting a cover to trailer home with? Just to keep rain and road debris out? I used my black Yamaha cover once to tow and it ate about 50% of my fuel down (one way) and put a lot of what I would consider unnecessary drag and higher RPMs on the truck. . I only used it once to tow as it was downpouring at my house, but then stopped just as I got off the freeway on my way to the ramp. I more less wanted the seats and carpet dry when we go to the ramp.

 

[Kaffi311]

Basically, our boat is bright white. And we've towed snowmobiles and other things before and when we got to our destination they're so very dirty. This boat is brand new and we just don't want that to happen. We travel all the way up to the Adirondacks and there's a lot of big highway riding but also lots of back roads. Make sense? I’ll show my husband your reply just so he's informed. thank you.

 

[Cambo]

I used my black Yamaha cover once to tow and it ate about 50% of my fuel down (one way) and put a lot of what I would consider unnecessary drag and higher RPMs on the truck

I have been driving 600 miles round trip from long island to Vermont for the last 20 years with all different model jet boats and there is no noticeable impact on towing with cover on or off with MPG or RPM . I do use a shipping cover or the Yamaha cover. What I have noticed is that in pouring rain water can pool up in the cover and it gets heavy and stresses the cover especially in the bow area. The anti pooling poles are not recommended while towing due to the way the cover sucks down onto the boat, you just need to pull over and push the water off the cover. The cover keeps the boat clean, road dirt and grime will be all over the boat on long road trips with the cover on that grime is only noticeable on the swim deck. When loading the boat for a road trip we put surf boards and other items that could blow out if not covered and over the years there have been many reports of carpet pierces and cushions blowing out.

 

[Cambo]

One of my favorite towing items are screw on air sensor monitors and a laser thermometer to check the hub temperature

something like this

https://www.amazon.com/Tymate-Pressure-Monitoring-Monitor-Trailer/dp/B0CW9GXBCB/ref=sxin_17_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.b747a510-73a1-4cf4-a45b-74fc1ab8af95%3Aamzn1.sym.b747a510-73a1-4cf4-a45b-74fc1ab8af95&crid=USVRWWHA341E&cv_ct_cx=air%2Bsensors%2Bfor%2Btires&keywords=air%2Bsensors%2Bfor%2Btires&pd_rd_i=B0CW9GXBCB&pd_rd_r=0e558ab4-1e79-4571-8b3c-e02c1b90c3c6&pd_rd_w=00i8A&pd_rd_wg=VgjYb&pf_rd_p=b747a510-73a1-4cf4-a45b-74fc1ab8af95&pf_rd_r=32RR0NS9D1T663F701YH&qid=1745236573&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=air%2Bsensors%2B%2Caps%2C978&sr=1-3-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Thermometer-774-Temperature-Accessories/dp/B0B71HFH9K/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3P92DRDB2J6IA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TWIsdOY1oomW-hdG766DUKGaKZmtsmFWHf8npJ5hVWM-XHExEXURrv1djvvWTIFQJSG3PwEJKxjm5q6OrculTu6n4vF0W0Tl61WJXqYGrErCrgNtjDhZikkOjIt7eQFKcuBh-d6De-ORNQNK3dTHprjLEr9bIzUSEilFmuwWdLYCuP75s7secuudZ4Prz-7uedKAi52bsByjCeo7eWYW8q4bsDjDx0o1m5OUc2Q8u4KnbpC_dtenxCwF_dpN81Wv3wQYcuc3Ov1BMrL2sB5mBAV53L4HJbpaoiK-iDC9Rm8.ERILUXfd_OcyfbK_0PTN5_tLnqifAOH88szpvBLMQD4&dib_tag=se&keywords=laser+temperature&qid=1745236753&s=automotive&sprefix=laser+tempertatur%2Cautomotive%2C103&sr=1-3

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

These are excellent tools to have when traveling, I check the hubs on my trailer at each stop.

The non brake hubs run cooler than the brake hubs, and the drivers side hubs run cooler than the passenger side, hub temps will increase with ambient air temperature, point being don’t get hung up on the hubs being different from each other, you’re looking for temp that’s way out of step with the others. Non brake hubs will be within 10-20° of each other, so will the brake hubs, but depending on how much the brakes are getting used it’s not alarming to see braking hubs 50° hotter than the non brake hubs. If you’re in hilly terrain or stop and go traffic the brake hubs will get hotter still.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

The problem with running a cover at highway speeds with the Center Console T top boats is how high the cover goes up onto the T top, the wind also flows down onto each side, this creates a lot of pressure on the cover on the sides, the cover will press down onto the anti pooling pole in the bow area and the top of the pole will try to push through the top. On my boat the strain on the wind screen is tremendous as it is the high point of support. I took my oem cover to a canvas shop and had four straps sewn that go from higher points above the wind screen on the T top to support the cover, it didn’t work and the clasps broke very quickly once on the highway.

Before I travel a long distance I just make sure I’ve applied a good coat of wax on the vertical surfaces of the interior side of the boat, and the entire hull. This makes clean up when I get to my destination a lot easier. I drove through rain, snow, dust you name it on my last trip, so my boat was filthy when I got to my destination, washing is a bit of a pita, but it’s all just part of the fun.

On this last trip I pulled the removable windscreen off and wrapped it in a movers blanket, not only did it keep it clean it kept it from being subjected to 90 mph wind while traveling. Think about it, try holding your hand out the window at 65 mph, now toss in a 20 mph head wind, now think about trying to a piece of card board out in that wind, let alone that huge cover / sail, that’s a lot of surface area to catch that 65 mph wind.

I use this spray on wax;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N8GBHTS?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1

The other thing I do is to stow all of the removable cushions in the head compartment to keep them clean during travel.

I have a five gallon bucket that I bought a lid for that has a screw on top, I keep my cleaning supplies, wax, soft brush that goes on my deck brush in there including a spray nozzle for the hose. I use the bucket to put water and soap to wash the boat with. I also take a 100’ hose that isn’t oxidized to wash things with, hoses that lay out in the hot desert sun will oxidize and leave marks on your boat.

This is a pic from my recent trip to Lake Mohave on the day after my arrival, while I was washing the boat and my truck I got a nice rain shower for a final rinse, you can see my green five gallon bucket and supplies in the garage.

 

[anmut]

Don't use the white shipping cover. Spend the money on the mooring cover - yes it's a painful purchase, but they are really well made. Mine is on it's 5th season and sits in the sun all summer. Only issues I have had were the white "Yamaha" logos starting to flake off and a small tear on the STBD transom side (repaired easily). Lots of trailering abuse on this cover, no other issues noted.

 

[BumbleBee255]

I have been driving 600 miles round trip from long island to Vermont for the last 20 years with all different model jet boats and there is no noticeable impact on towing with cover on or off with MPG or RPM . I do use a shipping cover or the Yamaha cover. What I have noticed is that in pouring rain water can pool up in the cover and it gets heavy and stresses the cover especially in the bow area. The anti pooling poles are not recommended while towing due to the way the cover sucks down onto the boat, you just need to pull over and push the water off the cover. The cover keeps the boat clean, road dirt and grime will be all over the boat on long road trips with the cover on that grime is only noticeable on the swim deck. When loading the boat for a road trip we put surf boards and other items that could blow out if not covered and over the years there have been many reports of carpet pierces and cushions blowing out.

The instructions that came with my Yamaha cover state that the anti-pooling poles MUST be used while trailering.

 

[anmut]

The instructions that came with my Yamaha cover state that the anti-pooling poles MUST be used while trailering.

MUST be used? Interesting... maybe they added additional support to prevent the poles from tearing?

 

[Babin Farms]

The instructions that came with my Yamaha cover state that the anti-pooling poles MUST be used while trailering.

During highway travel I leave the rear pole all the way up and usually put a tube up front to keep some support but not all in one spot.

 

[Cambo]

oops missed that this is the FSH . I would defer to what the owners of those models state

 

[drewkaree]

Don't use the white shipping cover. Spend the money on the mooring cover - yes it's a painful purchase, but they are really well made. Mine is on it's 5th season and sits in the sun all summer. Only issues I have had were the white "Yamaha" logos starting to flake off and a small tear on the STBD transom side (repaired easily). Lots of trailering abuse on this cover, no other issues noted.

Dunno if the FSH models have a mooring cover, but with the tower, it would seem like a problem to use it while driving

As @FSH 210 Sport suggests, road debris is going to be your initial issue. If you can't wax it down sufficiently when you do the initial pickup, an alternative I would suggest is to get 2-3 rolls of 2" painter's tape (or wider, if you can find it). Same concept, cover the forward-facing areas. Easy cleanup when you get it home, just peel off the tape and throw it away

 

[Kaffi311]

I use this spray on wax;
Amazon.com

My next thing to learn about and get- wax. So.... on the new boat.... what is the procedure ? Use this product and we are good to go- or do I need to use something before as well? Thanks for any help you can give ( youve given tons!!- thanks so much )

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Wash the boat, spray on the wax. Done

 

[drewkaree]

Wash the boat, spray on the wax. Done

NO horizontal surfaces.

There are as many waxes as opinions. Find one that's easy to use. If it's not easy, it's less likely to be used. That's why I use a different product for my car vs my boat

 

[Kaffi311]

NO horizontal surfaces.

There are as many waxes as opinions. Find one that's easy to use. If it's not easy, it's less likely to be used. That's why I use a different product for my car vs my boat

I'm guessing that you mean not to put wax on horizontal surfaces because of the fact it will be slippery?