Custom vs Factory

A frequently asked question is whether to buy your Boat Cover straight from the manufacturer or to have it made from a custom canvas boat cover maker. The answers depend on many factors. Is the boat that you need a cover for a common one such as a ski boat, fishing boat, or dinghy? If the answer were yes then you would be well served ordering it from a company such as the ones listed on this site. Some of these companies also can make the boat cover somewhat custom by using your choice of colors etc. They are usually well fitted, as there are specific questions that these companies ask before determining which boat cover fits your particular application. They also should be considered even if you have a large boat from a common boat company such as Bayliner, Catalina, Sea Ray etc. It is advised that you check with several boat cover manufactures on any boat cover application before going to a Custom Canvas Company.

If you have a common boat, but just want your covers to fit in a particular way, which is different form what is standard, you may want to consider going the custom boat cover route. This advice also applies if you want a flashy multi-colored canvas boat cover. A big consideration here is price. Generally speaking, Custom Boat Covers cost quite a bit more. This is not always the case, but is usually true.

Of course if price is the only consideration, and you want a cheap boat cover, you can always go super inexpensive and buy a tarp big enough to cover your boat and strap it down the best way possible. This is better than no cover at all, but has some obvious drawbacks.

If you have a sailboat, cabin cruiser, houseboat, or any type of yacht, you may need to utilize the services of a custom canvas boat cover maker. They often have great ideas of how to produce covers for you that work really well and protect your investment in the best way possible. For information on ways to find a canvas boat cover company and what to expect from this experience please visit our custom boat covers page as well as checking the fit of multiple boat covers and tips for multiple covers.