Big blue balls under the cover... (wait, what???)

[trayson]

How's that for a title??? Get your minds out of the gutter!

So, my boat cover was having problems with water pooling up in the rear corners, with the trunk cushion and the rear rails forming a barrier that kept the water in.

The problem is that the area of my cover that needed to be raised up for it to drain better was the dead space that was directly above the rear seat. I read a cool solution on the forums and decided to give it a try.

I got a pair of exercise balls from walmart for under $10 each. I was also having water pool up in the area behind the windshield before the engine cover. So I have a "T" there that's padded with a couple smaller foam balls. (credit to Newty for the "T" idea).

It's working great. No more pools of water on the cover after it gets rained on. Yep, my boat's got big blue balls! hahaha.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-km3fW-ynBTk/Um6pN4eHT2I/AAAAAAAAPbA/vBOstWRZLlA/s800/20131026_114228.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bFPc1xWh_v8/UkUVhC67koI/AAAAAAAAPDs/hHKwbd1QfgM/s800/20130926_213432.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-v8zNU0hggZY/Um6piWIywCI/AAAAAAAAPbI/RGUZlGVWV0c/s800/20131026_114931.jpg

[ckracing]

I found a simple way to keep my mooring cover up and not let water collect was by making a post to slip over the ski pylon. 3" PVC pipe 3 ft. Long with a cap with slots cut in the bottom by a compact saw. Quick, simple and all I need to put in the boat to keep the cover snug.
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[biggsie]

Nice tricks! Good to know!

Trayson, is your cover made to fit with the tower? I would love to see a pic of how the cover goes around the tower legs. Trying to get ideas for a new cover.


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[tg0824SSVGG]

I have used the "fitballs" for several years now - much easier on the cover too!

[trayson]

Nice tricks! Good to know!

Trayson, is your cover made to fit with the tower? I would love to see a pic of how the cover goes around the tower legs. Trying to get ideas for a new cover.


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There is a cutout for each tower leg that velcros together at the bottom. The cover has a cinch rope, so there is a clip to disconnect the rope on the starboard and the cinch cam on the port side. There are also cutouts with flaps over them to expose the cleats. The flaps velcro down.

I know on a lot of the newer covers they use zippers instead of velcro, and nylon webbing instead of rope.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-XEvn0K_a5yQ/UdiKHP2lStI/AAAAAAAAOSU/xXvvSwuya8w/s800/20130706_135911.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-e9oo9NO46XU/UW9XVmSGx-I/AAAAAAAAN1Q/m41r-5EMyeU/s800/%255BUNSET%255D.jpg

[biggsie]

I think Velcro wins over zippers. Thanks for the pics!



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[trayson]

I think Velcro wins over zippers. Thanks for the pics!



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It has pros and cons. My velcro is starting to get tired in some places so doesn't stick as well as it used to. The velcro can be kind of annoying at time, but the zippers would require more handling.

[KarolinaKid]

Dude!...you can finally ditch the girl truck...I found your new tow-mobile!

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[michael hunter]

I bought a triangular shaped tow-able that fits in the bow . It works perfect for towing so the wind dosnt push it down in the bow and stress it on the windshield. It also doubles as a support for rain. My wife modified my cover like trayson's . The Velcro can be replaced at any trim shop.

[villain]

Get a hangtyte. Work awesome! We put them on all of our new boats with towers.

http://www.hangtyte.com/site/5089e9b149a44ec9952a2c682a92b364/default?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhangtyte.com%2FPhotos.htm l#2756

[trayson]

One thing I found is that the balls do end up with condensation on them. that water seems to collect and run down the sides of them to the bottom part where the balls are contacting the with the cushion. I can see the subtle pattern of the ball on the still wet patch on the cushion when I take the ball off. So I'm not thrilled with that aspect. Not sure the ultimate solution.

However, for the winter, I removed any of my cushions that will come out and put them in plastic bags in my dry storage shed. Figured that would be better than under the cover still in the boat. I even took out the driver's seat!

[DAFF]

Think of a tent in the rain. Any area where there is contact with something inside there is wicking created. This is only amplified with the temperature swings this time of the year and the amount of moisture in the air.

For the $200 dollars the best solution is to have the boat wrapped in plastic. While not perfect but it will save the cover and stop the wicking issue.

[Cusefan78]

I chuckle every time I see the title big blue balls Thanks guys for lighting up my day

[trayson]

I chuckle every time I see the title big blue balls Thanks guys for lighting up my day

Anytime. can't take life too seriously!!

[Cusefan78]

That is a good idea though


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[trayson]

Think of a tent in the rain. Any area where there is contact with something inside there is wicking created. This is only amplified with the temperature swings this time of the year and the amount of moisture in the air.

For the $200 dollars the best solution is to have the boat wrapped in plastic. While not perfect but it will save the cover and stop the wicking issue.

makes sense about the wicking. I hadn't planned on that. I may have to rethink my solution. For the winter, I took out every vinyl cushion that would come out and stored them wrapped in plastic in my storage shed (very nice and dry). I put a piece of plywood over where the rear seat cushions were and threw a couple of old orange life jackets between them and the balls to prop them back up a little and keep them in place.

Still I'm only $20 into the balls, so while not perfect it's been somewhat worthwhile. Ultimately for the winter, I'm going to try to get a metal carport to store the boat under. I'm sure that will be better than any other non-covered solution. It's not "heated-indoor" storage, but it's a big step in that direction.

[Blackntan90]

I have to keep my boat stored outside, and have learned a lot about cover quality and water pooling. My boat had the PVC pipe on the ski pylon, and it was ok. Then I decided to put the cover over the tower as it is a cover for a cuddy cabin. By using the extra large cover it goes over the swim platform as well. As long as I keep it tight, with pads at all contact wear points it works very well. I will get a pic tomorrow when I go get all the snow we got today cleaned off!