Over the tower cover for a 242LS

[mrlanemeyer]

Brilliant. This is exactly what I've been thinking about doing. I want to be able to camp out of the boat without bringing a tent and cots. This would really help lighten the load.

 

[Nucem140]

That is very cool.

 

[HawkTX]

Great job!

 

[TechRider]

Looks great! Have you tried to put this on while on the water? Couple this with the portable AC to keep out the summer heat and bugs. I have an AR240, I wonder how it might work on that model. I was thinking a brace in the bow to get more usable room since no forward sweeping tower.

 

[sysinu]

Looks great! Have you tried to put this on while on the water? Couple this with the portable AC to keep out the summer heat and bugs. I have an AR240, I wonder how it might work on that model. I was thinking a brace in the bow to get more usable room since no forward sweeping tower.

Yeah, I put it on in the water and it goes on well. I will say, I plan to change out the ratchets and plan to insulate them more so I have less concern with them coming into rub contact with my gelcoat. It goes on really easy actually.. Center the middle and pop it over the tower first (everything flops down into the bow and midship area). Then I just loosely position the rest over the remaining hull of the boat. Once i have the bow in place I just pull the ratchets to the stern and it's almost like a ziplock container... it just pops right into place. Then I (with the rear door open) ratchet the synch line down and it's tight as the "deluxe cover". I owe all of the capabilities of this to Sugerhouse Awnings... they REALLY did a good job on this.

 

[Yamaha242lsdallas]

How is this still holding up for you? and I'm assuming its not a waterproof design?

 

[MikeyL]

@sysinu ............. I just read thru this incredible thread !
GREAT work, my friend.
While we don't camp out, I see many others doing that. And having something like what thought up & created ........ WOW !
I just wanted to say SUPER JOB, and let you know you inspire others to create more unique solutions for our beloved jet boats !
Best Wishes, Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[sysinu]

Thanks! I enjoyed it this spring quite a bit.

While it is not water proof, it is water resistant since I ultimately had it made out of sunbrella material. I had it on the boat for about 2 weeks in moderate wind and some rain and it didn't let even a drop in. I had it on while doing mods to the boat (mainly perfect pass). Worked out great for that.

It is holding up very nicely. All of the stitching and seams are really well done.

My only concern is for the ratchets in the back. I need to replace them with some nice stainless ones.

 

[MikeyL]

@sysinu ........... Only 1 thing left to say .......
"Great Job, Son ! Well done, VERY well done !"

Take care and enjoy this great weekend we have, Mikey Lulejian - Lake Oconee, GA

 

[Yamaha242lsdallas]

Quick question, I know you did not make it for waterproof abilities but you did say it kept some rain off a few times. How did you work the tower tow point to stop water from coming in?

Love your design!

 

[sysinu]

@Yamaha242lsdallas Thanks! When I was consulting with them on what kind of cover I wanted, I mentioned to them my desire to have the tow point exposed so I can provide an at anchor light. They mentioned to me the risk associated with that (water seeping in around the tow point) and I suggested they look at a cinch material to put on the inside (like spandex or something) that would allow the tow point to slip into the cover. So they have the material around the tow point tightly cinch with the recessed parts of the tow point. Most all water drips off the tow point and down onto the cover and completely misses the recessed part of the tow point, but when there is really light rain or condensation the water can dribble down the tow point and get under the cover. Nothing I can really do about that for the most part (other than possibly having two layers of fabric in the tow point so the water tries to adhere to the outer layer of fabric and use a more hydrophobic fabric on the inner layer).

Overall, the tow point doesn't seem to be an issue in the rain, though .

 

[Yamaha242lsdallas]

Thanks for the quick response. Getting things ready for another 6 day campout next month and I want something that looks a hell of a lot better then my $19 tarp option!

 

[DonWon]

Wow! That looks awesome!

 

[sysinu]

@DonWon Thanks!

 

[Scottintexas]

added to the faq under camper covers/bimini mods

 

[sysinu]

my first pin! yay .

 

[Larkintx]

where can I but that cover ?

 

[sysinu]

where can I but that cover ?

Hi, I had it made custom for me at sugarhouse awning in Utah. They do great work but for me they needed to have my boat there to make the cover.

 

[zelone]

Really awesome cover. Literally add AC, like mentioned above and you have the ability to stay anywhere.

 

[sysinu]

Really awesome cover. Literally add AC, like mentioned above and you have the ability to stay anywhere.

Thanks! I think a low-end portable AC unit would burn through deep cycle batteries pretty quickly, but if you're serious about camping on the boat and want something portable, it wouldn't be hard to plum a 1600$ marine ACU and that would be pretty easy going on the batteries. Where we are, heat tends to not be an issue unless we are down at Lake Powell (in which case I have a houseboat with 2 ACU's on it).