[TN_Diablo]

I purchased the more expensive Exact Fit Sunbrella cover for my 2001 diablo from RNR Marine basically due to the recommendations here and the price they offered. It came in about a week ago and now I am very frustrated with RNR who seems not to want to even respond to my emails. I also contacted Westland directly and at least they have been responsive but they say it fits like it should.

Boat is a 2001 Diablo 180. It fits perfectly at the bow and all the padding lines up on the front cleats and windshield. By the time you get to the stern the cleat padding is off 2-3" and I think the cover needs to be 3" longer to reach over the end of the swim platform at transom. Then the drawstring could hold it tight but otherwise there is nothing the cover can hold on to. As I sketch it I think the seam I scribbled in blue needs 2-3 more inches and the cover should follow the same strake (red line) it starts with at the bow.

Tell me if this is a proper fit and what you think?

[Txtruckerpaul]

I bought a cover from the same company from a dealer on ebay for my 96 talari 240z. It seems to fit good. I had the original factory mariah cover and the new one seems to fit about the same, but westland's cover hangs down on the sides a little more, which is fine with me. For both covers, i had to tie the transom end down first to keep it pulled down in the back, then tie down the front and then the sides. Your diablo doesnt really have a lip on the transom for the cover to go over to keep the back pulled down, so i would fasten the back first, the pull the bow snug. Since i do have the original factory cover, i did compare the two and they seemed to be very close to the same fit


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[Txtruckerpaul]

Here is a photo of the westland cover on my talariImageUploadedByTapatalk1430084692.487432.jpg


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[TN_Diablo]

Originally Posted by Txtruckerpaul

Your diablo doesnt really have a lip on the transom for the cover to go over to keep the back pulled down, so i would fasten the back first, the pull the bow snug. Since i do have the original factory cover, i did compare the two and they seemed to be very close to the same fit

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Maybe that's the main problem. The bow has a sewn in nose so there is no possible adjustment there. I imagined it should fit down and over the transom so the drawstring could hold it tight. I will just use straps to deal with it since it has rained a few times already and the Sunbrella seems to be great at keeping it dry.

Just did my water pump and other maintenance so it's ready for the lake now.

[nglauer]

I had a 2001 diablo with the factory cover. It came down just below the stainless rub rail on the back deck, but only by a few inches depending on the adjustment of my rear support pole. I tried to find a picture of it with the cover on, but apparently i spent more time taking pictures of it uncovered lol. Hope this helps. I sure miss our diablo.

Nick

[nglauer]

Actually... if it'll attach I do have a picture of the rear of the boat with the factory cover. Hopefully this will help you.

Nick

[nglauer]

I was wrong... I actually found quite a few more pictures. I paid a shop to replace some straps, add vent caps, and patch and reinforce a few places, along with re-waterproof my cover. They did a terrible job, and in hindsight, I should have purchases a new cover (They saw me coming, and charged me nearly 200.00 to "clean" replace 4 straps (I asked for all of them to be replaced), patch a hole where the rear support poked through, and re waterproof it) It took 2-3 more bottles of 303 to finally get it to stop leaking.. so I over paid for their crappy work, but thought it was worth saving the factory cover at the time.

Here are some more images.

[TN_Diablo]

nglauer Thank you for the pictures. I never had a factory cover and mine originally came with a heavy canvas cover the dealer probably added that was a bit oversized. Looks like you had two types of covers actually? A mooring and others that just covered upholstered sections.

Your pictures seem to indicate I should not really expect a factory fit cover to go over the transom much more than it does. I talked to Westland and they were kind enough to send me some addition fabric if I want to have a shop lengthen it. Not sure I will since it is very well made and I would not want to mess it up at this point. I have tinkered a bit with modifying my straps I normally use and may add a couple loops to hold it better with less stress. All in all it is much easier to use and seems to keep things drier than anything else I've done. I think I've been through 3 covers but this was the first one I spent the bigger bucks to get Sunbrella and "Exact Fit".

I checked a couple more things out this weekend and it is still clean and dry inside. We don't use our boat as much as I would like so it is nice to open it up and find no surprises. One or two years with bad covers it seemed like I spent more time cleaning than using the boat when it would get wet and a bit dirty and mildewed inside since the rain had gone right through.

For our use the little 18' Diablo is just right. Smaller but still room for 4-6(we've had up to 4 adults and 5 kids, limit on the label), easy to tow and good on gas and even with the full load has pulled tubes fine. Mine originally came with a Prestige trailer like yours but I made a deal with the dealer who kept the trailer for another boat and got the aluminum salt water trailer in my picture. The trailer with long tongue and good brakes makes it really easy to tow. So for me it's worth the effort to get things sorted out as I plan to keep this little Diablo for a long time.

[nglauer]

Originally Posted by TN_Diablo

Looks like you had two types of covers actually? A mooring and others that just covered upholstered sections. The red cover was for another brand boat, I picked it up really cheap hoping to make it work (mainly to cover the bow in the evenings so the kids could keep the wind off of them

Your pictures seem to indicate I should not really expect a factory fit cover to go over the transom much more than it does. I talked to Westland and they were kind enough to send me some addition fabric if I want to have a shop lengthen it. It they are willing to give you some additional fabric, i would take it in a heart beat and store it for the future. Sunbrella is expensive, and you will already have extra in the even of a tear or patch

One or two years with bad covers it seemed like I spent more time cleaning than using the boat when it would get wet and a bit dirty and mildewed inside since the rain had gone right through.I highly suggest the 303 cleaner and water proofing spray. I paid to have mine cleaned and waterproofed... instead they took a pressure washer to it and nearly ruined it. I had to do multiple "light" coats of the 303 water proofing spray before I could get my cover sealed again. I completely understand the battle of keeping them clean. Our Diablo had the snow white vinyl with light gray carpet.. I spent more time detailing inside and out than I did boating lol

For our use the little 18' Diablo is just right. Smaller but still room for 4-6(we've had up to 4 adults and 5 kids, limit on the label), easy to tow and good on gas and even with the full load has pulled tubes fine. Mine originally came with a Prestige trailer like yours but I made a deal with the dealer who kept the trailer for another boat and got the aluminum salt water trailer in my picture. The trailer with long tongue and good brakes makes it really easy to tow. So for me it's worth the effort to get things sorted out as I plan to keep this little Diablo for a long time.

I pulled a two person tube easily with a 17p 3blade prop. It was the perfect boat for my family (2 small kids 5 & 7 when we sold it. I wouldn't have sold it, but I had back surgery and was worried I would be off work for an extended period of time. I really regret parting ways with it, but have been planing to buy another one in the near future (assuming I can find one). I got a fair amount of money out of ours when I sold it. I purchased it from the original owner for 6500.00, kept it for quite a few years and flipped it for quite a bit more than I paid. I did install a few minor things while we owned it. I put the Nauticus Smart Tabs on it (highly highly suggest them.. amazing difference), a Lowrance depth finder, clarion marine radio, 2 kicker speakers, replaced the factory cup holders with new replacements (same as originals that were cracked), and purchased a prop. Other than that, I hadn't done anything other than regular oil changes and winterizations.

Here are a few more pictures of it... sure miss it... but hoping to get another one sooner than later

[nglauer]

Here are a few more pictures. I changed all of the trailer lights over to LED, added a plastic winch cover from shelby, replaced the inner fenders, wiring, and installed some bearing buddies.