Generic Cover to fit over 242 w/folded tower?

[Bluewater272]

Anyone aware of a universal cover that would fit a 242 LTD-S with the tower folded? Thinking of using the shipping cover + one of these for the winter.

Something similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Classic-Acce...&qid=1508287159&sr=1-3&keywords=boat+cover+24

 

[Ilmmct]

@seanmclean thats an interesting idea. If the shipping cover is reasonably cheap, might work to replace the shipping cover every 3 years or so and use the generic cover on the inside. Would need some decent moisture control, since the OEM cover has very nice venting.

 

[Ronnie]

I've used the shipping over my canvas mooring cover during winter storage for a few years now. The shipping covers are much more water resistant but mine usually last just two years before they start to crack, once that happens they become sponges and breeding grounds for mold.

Other considerations: cheap is a relative term, since Yamaha does not sell shipping covers outright you can only get them pre-owned. Ive paid up to $300 for one (I also got one free from a member here and some say that local Yamaha dealers may have some available/those that they forgot to give to new boat owners), also once your model boat is discontinued, so is the shipping cover.

 

[Bluewater272]

Well I'll have the shipping and mooring covers for the new boat, I'm not planning to use the mooring cover for the winter, but wanted to use the shipping cover and maybe something else on top of it - just to try and preserve that longer too. I may wrap it in future years, but I wanted to maintain access to the boat for this first year in case there are things I want to do over the winter, like installing a chartplotter. Maybe I can just use the shipping cover by itself for this year?

 

[Ronnie]

The shipping cover alone worked great for me until a subsequent off season when installed it alone even though it was cracking. The cracks let rain water soak the inner liner of the shipping cover so when i removed the cover at the start of the following season there was mold throughout the cockpit especially on the top of the rear cockpit seats which were in direct contact with the cover.

Lesson: when the shipping cover starts to crack it is done, at least as a water resistant cover anyway.

Fyi - if / when you start seeing dust in the boat from the canvas/mooring cover what you are seeing is the result of the cover material deteriorating so start looking for another before it tears or the seam(s) fail.

It hurts financially to buy and replace shipping and mooring covers but i try and remind myself before i hit the purchase button that covers are sacraficial by design and they cost a lot less than new marine upholstry (sp.?) . If you have ever priced out a single cushion on your boat or the carpet kit (you cannot buy the pieces separately) you know or should know there is good reason to trailer your boat with a cover on it even if its a best upnshipping cover.

 

[Bluewater272]

Thanks @Ronnie, quick question - the shipping cover is designed to fit with the tower up, correct? Are there any general water intrusion issues with the cutouts for the tower uprights?

Don't have the boat yet, just trying to plan ahead.

 

[Ronnie]

On the 240s (and probably the other models) up to 2014 the shipping covers fit on the towered boats with the tower up. Velcro is used to secure the material at each tower point. I have never had an issue with water leaking past the tower mounting points, a little water does but the only evidence I’ve seen is a few drops on the hull at those points. Nothing gets into the boat and I don’t recall mold building up at those points when the shipping cover was in good shape (before it’s starts to crack).

 

[Bluewater272]

Oh, cool. Maybe I can get by with just the shipping cover for this winter then.

 

[Ronnie]

I forgot to mention that when I had a 23’ Yamaha i got a generic cover online for about $120. At 23' it was about 1' short . I think it was made for a flatter boat and didnt account for The drop at the swim deck. The covet was otherwise perfect for winter / rainy storage, kind of like the shipping cover material and feel wise. If you go this route i recommend you get a cover that is one a foot longer than your boat.

 

[Papa]

Don't waste your money on the cover from Amazon. Got a brand new one in the box for my 05 SX230. Wasn't even close to fitting. Had to bite the bullet and by the stock cover.
Papa

 

[Bluewater272]

So, the boat is purchased and home. Put the shipping cover on and there's a little bit of a gap around the towers where I'm afraid some water/debris might accumulate/enter over the winter. Was thinking of putting the mooring cover on and then the shipping on top of that, or possibly wrapping the tower opening with heavy duty moving-type saran wrap to prevent water from running into those cutouts.

Any thoughts on either approach?

 

[Nick Hughes]

2nd winter with my boat. Last season I put the mooring cover and then the shipping cover over it. It has some cracks and neither cover seals around the tower. My boat is on a lift with the towers lowered and raised about as far up as I can get into the rafters of the covered dock. Opened my boat up and all was fine this year, none of the mold on the shipping cover affected the mooring. Washed it off, stored the shipping cover till next winter. Did the same thing a few weeks ago. I don't even put the anti-pool poles in.

 

[Mainah]

If snow and ice accumulation is likely I highly recommend doing this ...

Shirnk Wrapped 242

• Mainah
• Oct 31, 2017

Winterizing