Even though we invested in a covered boat slip at our local marina, it didn’t take long to discover that picking one of the best pontoon boat covers on the market is a smart move!
Spider poop! Yep, you heard me. Spider poop is the bane of a pontoon boat lover’s existence. If you’ve ever ridden on a pontoon boat and noticed a lot of little black dots all over the seats, that’s Spider POOP!! Yuck!
You know where spider poop comes from? SPIDERS!! Yikes! Trust me when I tell you, you want to cover your pontoon boat!
Here’s our picks of some of the best pontoon boat covers to consider to keep the spiders, their poop, and any other creepy crawlies out of your pontoon boat!
Should you cover a pontoon boat?
Since a pontoon boat can be subject to harsh rays from the sun, a cover will help protect its surface from damaging UV rays.
Covers can also help keep the interior of your pontoon boat clean and dry, preventing mold and mildew growth that is common in humid climates.
Rainwater can also damage a pontoon boat if not properly covered. A cover will prevent water seepage into the hull of the vessel and keep the interior of the boat clean and dry.
It can also protect against debris, leaves, and other airborne contaminants that can cause damage to a pontoon boat’s hull or decking.
And as mentioned, if you don’t want your pontoons to be covered by spider poop, you better get a pontoon boat cover!
Finally, covering your pontoon boat will help you save money in the long run by preventing unnecessary wear and tear on the vessel.
How To Choose Pontoon Boat Covers?
Pontoon boats come in a wide variety of sizes and styles that’s why choosing the best cover for your ‘toons can be quite challenging. To make things easier for you, here are some helpful tips in picking what covers best fit your boats.
Choose The Right Material
So, what is the best material for pontoon boat cover? Pontoon boat covers are made using different materials such as marine-grade vinyl, acrylic, cotton canvas, polyester, and more. Your choice of material should depend on where you plan to store your pontoon boats.
Pontoons that are stored in spaces where it is exposed to different weather conditions require a cover made of heavy-duty and weatherproof material.
Go for Bigger Sizes
When choosing a cover for your pontoon boats, it’s much better to choose a size bigger than your boats. Doing so will guarantee that your boats will get better coverage and protection. Plus covering your boats will be easier when you have a slightly larger pontoon cover. Don’t choose overly large covers, 3-5 inches will do.
Weight
Putting on and taking off boat covers can be quite tiring, so make sure that you also consider the weight of the pontoon boat covers that you’re getting.
Pick the Correct Style
Pontoon boats are designed differently so it only makes sense that you choose a cover that is fit and follows the contour of your toons for maximum protection and coverage. Although there are pontoon covers that claim to fit any type of pontoon, it’s best to check its dimensions and a style that would accommodate your toons.
Color Considerations
One thing to avoid is bright-colored covers since they tend to fade easily over time. Dark-colored pontoon covers are more desirable since they have a greater amount of dye, thus providing more protection from the sun’s UV rays.
Features To Consider
Here are some important features to consider when you’re choosing a pontoon boat cover.
- Water-resistant vs. Waterproof- water-resistant covers cannot protect your boats totally from water outside. For better protection especially when you plan to store your boats outside it’s better to choose something waterproof.
- UV protection– The rays from the sun can crack seals, damage your pontoon seats, and can cause the colors of your boats to fade. It’s important to choose a cover that has UV protection.
- Breathable- The breathability of your pontoon covers is also important to allow moisture to escape and to prevent the formation of mold and mildew that could potentially damage your boats.
- Reinforced Seams and Corners- These are critical parts of your covers that are constantly exposed to stretching and pulling. Check for durable and thicker materials in these boat cover parts.
Pontoon Boat Covers
The best pontoon covers should protect your boat against external factors (like that Spider Poop I mentioned earlier 🤢) and any damaging weather conditions.
Keep your pontoon boats safe and secured no matter what the weather with the StormPro boat cover. Made from highly durable 600-denier marine canvas and is designed for maximum coverage and protection. Made using fabric coating technology making it waterproof, stain and dirt proof features to ensure that your pontoons come out clean and pristine even after storing it for a long time.
Equipped with a quick-release buckle and strap system for easy and quick covering. The dual air vents decrease moisture build up and ballooning of cover at high speeds.
Dimensions : 24 x 16.5 x 15.5 inches; 27.6 Pounds
Model A: Fits pontoons 17-20'L, with beam width to 102"
Model B: Fits pontoons 21-24'L, with beam width to 102"
Features
- High-strength polyester StormPRO fabric
- Quick-release buckle and strap system
- Elastic Hem
- With Storage bag
Pros
- Heavy duty
- Waterproof
- Stain and dirt proof
- Mildew resistant
- UV resistant
- Breathable
- 5-year Warranty
- Quick release buckles
- Solid construction
Cons
- Not the best cover to use when trailering
The Solim Trailerable 800D PU Pontoon Boat Cover is the perfect choice for protecting your boat from the elements. This 19-21ft waterproof cover is made of oxford marine grade UV resistant polyester canvas with four layers of protection, including 800D marine grade oxford fabric, 100% waterproof coating, anti-UV coating and PU coating.
Whether you’re looking for protection from rain or sun damage, this pontoon boat cover provides superior coverage in any weather conditions!
Features- 800D Marine grade polyester canvas
- Double reinforced stitching
- 14 pcs tie down straps
- Integrated sewn-on buckles
- Heavy duty/Durable
- UV Resistant
- Wear-resistant
- Tear-resistant
- Elastic hem gives a custom fit
- Easy installation
- Quick release system
- 12-month warranty
- Strap buckles are not made of the best material
The KING BIRD Heavy Duty Pontoon Boat Cover offers superior protection for your pontoon boat, deck boat, or other watercraft. Crafted from heavy-duty marine grade 600 denier polyester, this cover is designed to fit boats 21ft to 24ft in length and provides maximum protection against sun damage, rain, dirt, and pollution - helping you keep your vessel safe from the elements.
Features- Marine grade 600 denier polyester
- Integrated buckle and strap system
- Double Reinforced Seams
- Adjustable elastic hem cord
- Boat Cover Tie-Down Kit
- Heavy duty
- Tear-resistance
- UV protection
- Breathable material
- Trailerable pontoon cover
- 2-year warranty
- Quick-release tie down straps system
- Not totally waterproof
Are you looking for a reliable and durable pontoon boat cover? Look no further than the KING BIRD Heavy Duty Pontoon Boat Cover. This high-quality cover is made from 600D solution-dyed Oxford Fabric, giving it superior color fastness of 4.5 grade - the highest in US Standard.
It's waterproof marine grade canvas with PU coating and waterproof strip will ensure your boat stays dry and protected against condensation build-up. With this heavy duty pontoon boat cover, you'll be able to keep your boat looking like new year after year!
Features- 600D solution-dyed Oxford Fabric
- PU coating and waterproof strip
- 2 pcs adjustable tie-down straps
- Reinforced adjustable straps
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Anti-fade fabric
- UV Resistant
- Tear-proof
- Snug fit
- Prevent condensation build-up
- Price
The Selimon Universal Pontoon Boat Cover is designed to keep your boat safe from the elements, while also protecting it from potential damage due to wildlife. The cover is made out of 600D Waterproof Heavy Duty Oxford material and features an anti-UV coating that blocks more than 98% of UV rays. This ensures that your boat’s accessories are protected from UV erosion.
The cover also has an impressive tension resistance rating of up to 1700N, so you can be sure that it will stay in place in even the strongest of wind conditions.
This pontoon boat cover can fit boats measuring 20ft, 21ft, 22ft, 23ft and 24ft.
Features- 600D solution-dyed Oxford Fabric
- Tightly woven fibers, PU coating, seam tapes
- 5 top straps
- 1" wide webbings & buckules
- Durable
- 100% Waterproof
- Windproof
- UV Resistant
- Can fit different sizes of pontoon boats
- Comes with a handy storage bag
- Easy to install
- Price
How Do You Attach A Pontoon Boat Cover?
Here is a helpful video to show you how to properly cover your pontoon boat.
How Do You Cover A Pontoon Boat For The Winter?
- First, clean the interior and exterior parts of your pontoon boat. Do not leave anything that could contribute to moisture build-up/ mildew formation.
- Remove all non-factory installed equipment that can be damaged.
- Choose a heavy-duty cover that can withstand extreme weather conditions, especially if your pontoon boat will be exposed during the winter months.
- Ensure that your pontoon cover is secured and fitted correctly to avoid water or snow from getting inside the cover.
- Check for any tears or holes, and make sure to patch them up before covering.
- Check for any pooling water as this could weigh down the cover and damage it.
- Make sure that water can slide off to the sides of your covers.
Pontoon Boat Cover Care Tips
A well-maintained boat cover is equal to a well-protected boat. To keep your pontoon boat covers from being damaged easily, here are some care tips that you can follow.
- Don’t allow water or snow to stand or stick to your covers for long periods.
- When using boat covers while trailering, ensure that your cover is suitable to resist strong winds to avoid tears.
- Use strong and heavy-duty tie-down straps to secure the cover in place while en route on a pontoon trailer.
- Brush off any dirt or materials that are stuck on the cover
- Using a mixture of lukewarm water and mild soap like Ivory you clean your pontoon boat cover.
- Do not use detergents as they can diminish the water-repellent capacity of certain boat cover materials.
- Thoroughly dry the cover first before storing it.
Pontoon Boat Accessories
Pontoon boats are a great way to have some outdoor family fun on the lake or a party with friends out on the open sea. Check out these practical must-have pontoon boat accessories to add to your boat for smooth sailing.
Download Your FREE Boating Pre-Departure Checklist
Recommended Boating Resources
- Recommended Pontoon Boat Accessories
- Best Boat Snacks– These are easy to make and yummy, too
- Pontoon Boating Safety Guide & Checklist
- DIY Pontoon Boat Storage Ideas
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