www.iFourWinns.com

Hello fellow boaters,

I have been lurking on here for quite some time now reading and learning from everyone's posts. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us amateur boaters.

I recently found a very inexpensive place to store my boat on the lake this summer but it would mean the boat would be outside the entire time. Right now all I have is a cockpit and bow cover.

I have 3 questions:

1) What mooring cover would experienced boaters recommend I use on my boat while it's not in use? i.e. Four Winns OE, sunbrella

2) I was offered a wet slip for a few dollars more. Of course that would mean it would be in the water from April1 to Sep 1. Is this a good idea?

3) If I do wet slip it, how do I avoid the brown ring on my hull?

Thank you in advance for your input!

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06' 240 Horizon
Mercruiser 350 mag Bravo III

I believe that FW uses Sunbrella for their OE covers. If they don't, it's an awfully close match to the sunbrella bimini that I purchased.

Many people keep their boat in the water, however it will probably show its age faster than in storage. Also make sure your bellows is in good shape.

You could see if adding a lift to the slip is an option, that would avoid the ring that you're looking to prevent. The other options would be to either bottom paint or remove often for a cleaning.

I only keep my boat in the water a week at a time when visiting the in-laws, but you can see the water line when I pull it out.

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-Rob.


Current boat: 2011 Yamaha AR210
Previous boat: 1998 Horizon RX 4.3GL SX

Couldn't agree more.

Going on the third season of use with my FW mooring cover, highly recommend it.

I also keep (moor?) my boat outside on a lift all season. My 'toon stays wet, and the crud and build up I find on the aluminum at the end of each season is nasty - even although the glacial spring fed lakes I boat on are some of the deepest and cleanest in Wisconsin. I would never had bought a brand new Four Winns if I couldn't keep it on a lift.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

I slip in water for the summer. I found my bow and cockpit cover were fine and much less of an issue to deal with when wanting to go out of the boat. At the beginning of the season, I take them to a laundrymat and wash them in an industrial sized washer, hang to dry, and then protect with 303.

For the hull, you can bottom paint or haul the boat a couple times a season to powerwash the grime that will grow. I also keep a towel or two handy so I can wipe the boat down when we are beached or anchored. At the end of the season, a good wash with the grime killer and a coat of wax, you will look like new.

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2001 Horizon 260 - 7.4 Volvo GSI DP

A quick question; why are they called "mooring covers"? I had one for my previous Sundowner, it did a really good job of protecting the whole topsides when it was on the trailer over the Winter. However, when moored, in the marina I couldn't use it as the cleats were covered and so there was nowhere for the mooring lines ( I couldn't put the cover over the lines, because as the boat moved with the wind and tide, the lines would have caused the cover to ride up. Also of course it would only have neen the draw string holding the cover on. I had to use the cockpit cover when the boat was moored, as I do on my current Sundowner

Am I missing something obvious?

Graham

Four Winns offers a mooring cover and trailerable cover that fit my boat. I opted for the trailerable because I trailer my boat. It's a nice cover and has held up well for the first year. The tag on the back of the cover recommends lowering or removing the support pole's during towing, (I guess to keep from streching out the cover). I don't always follow this practice unless I'm towing a long distance. I also got the snap on covers for quick cover up when I wet slip it on vaca somewhere for a night or two. I think any of the high quaility covers will work well for you, but no matter what you choose, if it's going to be out in the sun 6 mo out of the year or all year, you'll be lucky to get 5 years out of any cover. As some have mentioned, leaving your boat in the water full time presents a set of issues that you should consider. I guess you have to decide are the potential issues worth the convenience. Here's a photo of my Four Winn's trailerable cover:

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

I finally got my Fourwinns Trailer cover. Love the fact that you can use the cleats while the cover is on, and it looks great too!

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Rob
2007 Four Winns 180 Horizon

Hey impulse,
Is that cover completely waterproof? Also, is it made of the sunbrella material? Thanks.

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06' 240 Horizon
Mercruiser 350 mag Bravo III

I might have to look into getting one of those. The factory one looks very nice! Anyone have any idea what these cost and do they come in variouos colors? I don't see them on FW website.

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1998 Baja Boss 252 7.4L MPI Bravo 1 (SOLD)
2007 FW H200SS 5.0GXI (Sold)
2004 Chevy Silverado 2500 Crew 6.0L (tow vehicle)
1991 FW 170 Freedom 4.3L (SOLD)

First trip we ever took it on was to the Cliff's Resort at PK and the first night there an extremely heavy downpour came through for about an hour. I was worried about the boat a little eventhough it was on the trailer. Next to no water got into the boat, the cover did a very good job. A tiny ammount of water was able to get in around the bimini poles, but other then that it protected the boat very well. As far as the material, I'm not sure what Sunbrella is like. If Sunbrella is the same as my bimini then, no, not at all. This cover is lightweight, but strong. I'm not sure how to describe it. Kind of like a windbreaker jacket only thicker, if that makes any sense.

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2008 H210SS VP 5.7 Gi/SX
2011 Ford F150 FX4 EB

As long as the cover is tight enough not to allow the water to pool anywhere it does a great job at keeping the water out. We towed about 2500 miles last summer with it on and their is no sign of wear or marring on the cover or boat. Like Impulse said it's a thinner fabric than most cockpit covers, but it is very strong and packs away easily.

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Mike
Smithville, MO
08' Hayabusa, 2011 Subaru Outback, 03' Infiniti G-35 S.C.

What I've done is fill 2 liter bottles with lake water and rig a clip to attach to the grommets on the mooring cover. Works well.

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2007 Horizon 200
4.3L GXi/ SX 225 HP

5 years into my FW mooring cover, kept outside in the harsh Aussie sunlight and i reckon its got a year left in it. I attached elastic to the tie-down points and hook it to the trailer with them. I certyainly cant fault it, and will either get a new FW one, or maybe one made to the same pattern as it, but with lower sides, that almost reach the trailer

Sometimes I use the smaller covers that are designed for use when towing, although they require the bimini to be put up ( but folded away). I tend to drive with the bimini down, as I found the mounting points came loose with the wobbling on the road.

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The material looks like Sharkskin. That is what I have as well. I do not trailer with it as it did not buy the "trailerable" version. But does keep the water out well. I do need to treat the seams as they will leak a little during a hard downpour.

I don't think it sharkskin

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Rubbermaid outdoor storage