Mooring Cover Do I need

[ryanfromokc]

I'm waiting on my 2021 SX195 from the factory to my dealer.

I have an enclosed storage unit and plan to only take boat from storage unit to lake and back.
I plan to use the "shipping cover" on the boat loosely while in storage unit to keep dust out.

#1 Question: Do I really need to purchase a $1,000.00 Mooring Cover as the shipping cover will last a while since it's only on in storage?
#2 Question: Do people travel down the highway with their cover on or take off and leave at home? Was planning to take anything that could
blow out of the boat and put in my truck while traveling.

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[jetboatjay]

Welcome @ryanfromokc to the forums. I am sure you will get a few different opinions, but I can speak from experience when I say we used the shipping cover for the first year of boat ownership. We stored ours outside at a storage facility and found it worked just fine. This year we have the mooring cover because it is much easier to put on and take off...and we don't have to lower the tower.

If you don't want to spend your $1000 on a cover, I say save your money for the other 11 things you are about to read about on this forum that are "must haves."

 

[HangOutdoors]

@ryanfromokc Talk to the dealer who sold you the boat, hopefully they will give you 15% or thereabouts off for a period of time. If they will, it may be a good time to order it now. Plus who knows how long before it will come in. I would assume that you would be getting sooner or later.

 

[ryanfromokc]

Thanks. Does everyone transport their boat with the cover on and then stop and remove it when arriving at the lake and then put back on when leaving the lake and then take off when they put back up in storage so everything dries out. Seems like I don't need one other than to keep dust out.

I'm gonna assume the wind and driving down the highway in Oklahoma, any cover is not going to last. Again, I'm not storing outside.

 

[Julian]

Mooring cover should only be $800...... @Bruce had another site he used....might have been a fraction cheaper....(but covid has driven everything up)

 

[Whisky]

All I will say is that I love my mooring cover, if I was storing it inside.... not sure if I would bother, but as far as covers go, if I'm covering it, then it will always be with that cover!

 

[Bruce]

Partspak is $809. You should check the part number to make sure it is what you want.

Yamaha MAR-190BK-NT-19 2019 Sx190 / SX195 Mooring Cover Black; MAR190BKNT19

www.partspak.com

 

[212s]

#1 Question: Do I really need to purchase a $1,000.00 Mooring Cover as the shipping cover will last a while since it's only on in storage?

No the shipping cover will last for many years indoors and out of the sun.

#2 Question: Do people travel down the highway with their cover on or take off and leave at home? Was planning to take anything that could
blow out of the boat and put in my truck while traveling.

You can do that, especially for short distances.
However, when trailering longer distances at highway speeds, a mooring cover keeps the boat clean too - no bug splats or bird poop on the boat, seats, windshield, etc. It might also help with small rocks bouncing up and hitting the windshield. Those are the main reasons I keep it covered while trailering. Plus no need to remove anything, just uncover, prep, and put in the water.

 

[jetboatjay]

@ryanfromokc, as far as traveling with the cover; we never drove the boat more than 2 miles with the cover on. We removed it for the 40 minute drive to and from the river. We also removed it when we took the boat to other lakes. Some people do travel with it on, but many of these forum posts will remind you that the cover should be fairly tight when traveling with it on so as not to rub/ruin your boat finish. Using pool noodles along the windshield is also a good suggestion.

 

[Matt Phillips]

Check Yamaha Sports Plaza up in Oregon...they usually have the best price...even with $30 shipping.

I for one have had the towing cover on both of my boats and won't go without it. My boat sits in the lake all summer and in covered storage all winter with the cover on and the only time it's not is when we are using it. I personally like the cover on the boat when towing as I know nothing will fly out of it going down the road. it also keeps prying eyes out of the boat and thus things are more secure. Additionally, when coming back from the lake, things are typically wet (especially if you do any wakeboarding) and do you REALLY want to put that wet stuff into a dry storage area and then have to deal with mold possibilities?

For me, I like being able to leave life jackets out in the boat, pile wet towels on the floor and store the wake boards in the boat for the trip home. After a good 5 hours from either the lake or Lake Shasta, a lot of things in there are dry.

Even during storage In the winter, it tends to keep critters out.

 

[Yambers]

I have the same type of questions as @ryanfromokc. My 242 came with a cover, I am assuming a mooring cover, but I have never even opened it all the way up. I dont think I want to put it on every time I leave the lake. Surely it cant hurt to tow with it off, can it? I will use it during the winter when I store it long term in the barn, but during the summer it goes from barn, to lake, to barn. Why cover it? Is there a benefit? seems like a hassle if you have enclosed storage.

 

[Crob83]

I have the same type of questions as @ryanfromokc. My 242 came with a cover, I am assuming a mooring cover, but I have never even opened it all the way up. I dont think I want to put it on every time I leave the lake. Surely it cant hurt to tow with it off, can it? I will use it during the winter when I store it long term in the barn, but during the summer it goes from barn, to lake, to barn. Why cover it? Is there a benefit? seems like a hassle if you have enclosed storage.

I towed mine all the way to Torch lake 7 hour trip uncovered. Never again for that length of trip, there were bug guts on everything. Made sure to cover it on the way home...lol. I don't use it for short distances, I just went to Monroe and back and trailered without it to and from. Never had an issue besides bird poop, bug guts. And my seats are not hinged and they don't move. Of course I take my bow filler cushion out and put it in my truck. But if I just did an extensive clean job I will use the cover just to keep the boat looking prestine. I have bird shit all over my windshield as we speak ?

 

[Yambers]

I towed mine all the way to Torch lake 7 hour trip uncovered. Never again for that length of trip, there were bug guts on everything. Made sure to cover it on the way home...lol. I don't use it for short distances, I just went to Monroe and back and trailered without it to and from. Never had an issue besides bird poop, bug guts. And my seats are not hinged and they don't move. Of course I take my bow filler cushion out and put it in my truck. But if I just did an extensive clean job I will use the cover just to keep the boat looking prestine. I have bird shit all over my windshield as we speak ?

I think with all the damn cleaners everyone buys, a few bug guts don't mean shit to me. They are on the truck, so what's the difference? An extra 5 minutes cleaning a windshield? I can handle that over 30 minutes of unfolding, stretching, zipping, strapping.. lol

I stow away any loose cushions, so those are fine. The truck blocks most of the bugs. Now, I might change my mind in the heat of the summer when mosquitos are as large as small pterodactyls.

 

[ShesCrafty]

I think with all the damn cleaners everyone buys, a few bug guts don't mean shit to me. They are on the truck, so what's the difference? An extra 5 minutes cleaning a windshield? I can handle that over 30 minutes of unfolding, stretching, zipping, strapping.. lol

I stow away any loose cushions, so those are fine. The truck blocks most of the bugs. Now, I might change my mind in the heat of the summer when mosquitos are as large as small pterodactyls.

Boat ownership requires a time investment. Removing the bimini canvas and installing the mooring/trailer cover, before heading down the road, only takes 10 minutes on my 242SE. Always worth the peace of mind that nothing is flying out of the boat, putting other motorists at risk (for which I would be liable), etc.

Take the time it takes. Be safe. My best advice.

 

[Yambers]

Boat ownership requires a time investment. Removing the bimini canvas and installing the mooring/trailer cover, before heading down the road, only takes 10 minutes on my 242SE. Always worth the peace of mind that nothing is flying out of the boat, putting other motorists at risk (for which I would be liable), etc.

Take the time it takes. Be safe. My best advice.

I see your point. I haven't even put it on once, but it seems big and heavy. lol.

New to boat ownership so I am sure I will get it figured out. Thanks for your viewpoint and advice.

 

[Crob83]

I think with all the damn cleaners everyone buys, a few bug guts don't mean shit to me. They are on the truck, so what's the difference? An extra 5 minutes cleaning a windshield? I can handle that over 30 minutes of unfolding, stretching, zipping, strapping.. lol

I stow away any loose cushions, so those are fine. The truck blocks most of the bugs. Now, I might change my mind in the heat of the summer when mosquitos are as large as small pterodactyls.

Don't get me wrong I prefer to tow without it, but for long distances it's just safer. The main reason I'm glad I have it is I go to campgrounds a lot, and I put it on at night to stop any ashes or coals from campfires from going in. And the dew that's all over everything in the morning as well

 

[Matt Phillips]

+1 to @Crob83

I agree Once you're used to it, it takes about 10 minutes to put on. If I had a barn to store it in between trips, I'd also put it on for time in the barn as that way the cover will keep dust from settling into it and also keep unwanted guests from setting up home in it.

 

[ShesCrafty]

I see your point. I haven't even put it on once, but it seems big and heavy. lol.

New to boat ownership so I am sure I will get it figured out. Thanks for your viewpoint and advice.

The first couple times you put the cover on, it will take longer. But, stick with it... you’ll get it down to science.

Look for advice on this forum as to how to get it on evenly and then ratcheted down tightly.

And yeah - my worst nightmare is having my bimini canvas land across a car’s windshield, or having something go through a windshield.

My wife and kids understand that it’s 10-15 minutes of prep, at the ramp, to launch... and 20-30 minutes to stow everything, throw out the trash, get the canvas on, etc before heading home.

Always worth the effort. Have fun!

 

[AboveTheBest]

I have the same type of questions as @ryanfromokc. My 242 came with a cover, I am assuming a mooring cover, but I have never even opened it all the way up. I dont think I want to put it on every time I leave the lake. Surely it cant hurt to tow with it off, can it? I will use it during the winter when I store it long term in the barn, but during the summer it goes from barn, to lake, to barn. Why cover it? Is there a benefit? seems like a hassle if you have enclosed storage.

If you already have the cover I would try it a few times and see how much extra time it adds to your routine.
I cover anytime I’m not in the boat like @Matt Phillips, on the road it keeps things in the boat, on the water it keeps things from walking away, and it keeps things out of the boat whenever you’re storing it.

I just did my first ever week of the boat sitting without the cover while I polished the gel-coat, and the amount of grime that built up inside during that time was unreal. Once you get the hang of the cover it won’t take you more than 5-minutes and it offers lots of peace of mind.

 

[Yambers]

So do you just throw it in the bed of the truck during the day?