Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

I've got a 2001 Diablo that badly needs a cover replacement. It's my understanding that I can no longer get factory covers for this boat (and haven't been able to in some time).

What are people using now when they need replacements? Just a universal fit cover from a place like West Marine or are people aware of better (possibly more custom) options? I've patched bad spots on mine the past couple years but now pretty much the entire cover is a bad spot.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

Pony up the cost for a custom fit sunbrella cover that will last you 10-20 yrs or just buy inexpensive universal fit covers from the myriad of vendors out there. Your call.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

http://www.mariahownersclub.com/foru...t-fitting.html

I also have an 01 Diablo. Above is an old post I dug up. Unless money is too big an issue don't even think twice and get a Sunbrella cover. If you read this you'll see I was initially a little frustrated with RNR but turned out to be a great decision. Over time my cover has stretched slightly and fits very good still and its now about 5 years old. It's pretty dirty right now from being parked partly under a tree all winter (I know not a good idea) but the cover is in excellent shape and it still keeps my boat quite clean and dry over the winter. I used to clean mildew each spring but now just a damp rag cleans it up. A little water gets in at times but not enough to soak anything.

If you have a 3.0 motor I also highly recommend the Smart tabs discussed in this thread. Maybe with a V6 it would not be as big of a deal but the 3.0 really benefits from the tabs. Not sure which motor you have.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

Thanks all... I need to get digging into this. Any thoughts on how close a universal cover fits compared to a Sunbrella? Are the universal fit ones going to wear out a lot faster?

I have the V6 engine. I'm not familiar with what Smart Tabs are to know if they'll help me or not?

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

Long shot but if you're relatively close to Petersburg Illinois there is a place called Joe's Boat Covers that will make custom fit covers for any boat.

I just dropped off my 98 Shabah 202 yesterday and should have it back later this week with a new snap cover.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

Yes, universal covers do not fit anywhere near as well as a proper fit cover and will wear out faster because they move around.

Smart tabs improve planing and handling on every boat under 22 ft out there. Just do a site search for 'Smart Tabs'. Just dont stick one of those gawd-awful fins on your outdrive.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

Don't confuse fit with fabric. Sunbrella = Fabric type-the best and probably most $ but nothing to do with the way it fits.

The Westland exact fit made out of Sunbrella sold by RNR is what I bought and fits my boat with padding in all the right places for cleats and windshield and no comparison to universal fit. It's worth the extra $ and I would NOT waste my time trying to get a shop to make a one-off cover when the Westland is perfect. The also advised me that cadet gray was a nice neutral color that would age well and I think that was also a good choice.

If you want I will look up the part number of my cover for you.

A great cover is the best thing I've ever done for my boat out of the water and Smartabs the best thing for it in the water. The tabs mean less rise to get on plane, stays on plane little lower speed, does not wander as bad in no wake idle zones and less porpoising when trimmed up at speed. I'd say my #3 useful thing I suggest is a remote trim switch under the swim platform so that I can raise/lower the motor without getting under the cover. I always store my drive down to keep the bellows less kinked and let the water out.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

Yeah if you have a part number that'd make it easier on me.

I bought a hyrofoil years ago but never have installed it. I don't like the idea of drilling and the non-drilling option I also purchased seemed to have a lot of people complaining the hydrofoil would fall off and end up at the bottom of the lake. You're saying smart tabs are a better option?

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

I'm 4 hours away which isn't impossible to do but I'm gonna explore some of these other options first. Curious what that does cost though?

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

I'll hopefully know very soon. When I initially called to inquire he said roughly $1000 for a 2 piece snap cover for a 20ft boat.

Here is his website.

Joes Boat Covers - Petersburg, Illinois - Joes Boat Covers

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

My part number for the Westland from RNR is: MI52034 A30

I just looked it up at RNR Marine and it returned MI 52034A

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

Picked up the boat Saturday afternoon with the new snap cover. Looks awesome! Price was $1100.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

$1100 is probably out of my price range (plus a lot of money in gas to tow it that far). Hope it works out well for you though.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

Any thoughts on the fabric type Sunbrella vs Sharkskin-Supreme vs Sharkskin-Plus?

I found the page on RNR and all three fit, whith Sumbrella being quite a bit more.

Westland® MI52034A Exact-Fit™ Trailerable Boat Cover for Mariah® 180 DIABLO Bowrider I/O (2001-2001) in Sunbrella® or Sharkskin™ by Westland®, shipped from RNR-Marine.com™

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

Sunbrella if you want it to last.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

No experience with the other options. The Sunbrella is more, maybe $100 but based on all my research probably worth it long term. I found that conclusion in many things I read before deciding for my self to spend the extra $.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

$538.81 - Sunbrella - 10 year warranty
$393.81 - Sharkskin Supreme - 7 year warranty
$318.81 - Sharkskin Plus - 5 year warranty

It's about $150 more than the next option and $220 more than the cheapest. Will I still have the boat in 7-10 years or upgrade to something else? I'm not sure, I've had it 8 years now I believe and its totally paid off. Hmmm.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

This isn't really that difficult. Go with the Sunbrella. It will also improve your re-sale value should you decide the sell the boat because it will look much better than the other two after 2-3 yrs.

Re: Best Replacement Boat Covers these days
 

Thanks for the opinions everyone! I had to think some because while it seems obvious Sunbrella is the best cover, it also costs a lot more at a time when I just spent $300 on a vet bill, $600 to fix my AC, and $400 on a kayak (which I bought right before everything got sick/broke because of course that would happen).

I ended up using that part number TN Diablo shared above on Overtons.com and a promo code they were offering and got the Sunbrella cover for $501 after tax and free shipping. Looking forward to getting it on my boat because the old cover probably should have been trashed a couple years ago.