03 SANTE boat cover

[A&B]

I have a 03 SANTE and am looking for a boat cover. The one that came with the boat covers the swim platform and uses straps to tie it down to the trailer. I need one that will cover the boat but not the swim platform so I can use it to cover the boat overnight in the water. It would be nice if it had some type of hook or something to hold it on along the rub rail vs. straps every few feet and maybe a strap to tighten or tie down at the back. I need to be able to put it on and take it off with the boat in the water. Anyone have any suggestion.

[NautiqueJeff]

What I would suggest is having one custom-made for your boat. The picture below is not my boat, but my cover is pretty much identical, and this design works very well. It snaps on the underside of the rub rail.

http://www.nautiqueplanet.com/forums/files/01san27.jpg

[A&B]

NautiqueJeff, Thanks for the picture. That looks like it would work ok. Can’t see how it’s held on in the back but it seems to fit nicely. You say yours snaps on under the rail. Did you have to add snaps on the bottom side of your rail for the cover to snap on?

[NautiqueJeff]

Well, the cover was custom-made for the dealer that I bought my boat from. The boat was new, but he had added the custom cover. The snaps were added at the time the cover was made. The snaps were not original to the boat, but they work really well. You can't tell that they're there when the cover is off. Mine snaps around the swim platform too, but I am sure this could easily be altered if needed.

[AbunDiga909]

The guy who makes the covers for our local dealer makes them custom for your boat. (custom for your boat as in he has set sizes for practically every ski boat of all ages) The dont have a belt or buckle or anything. They have snaps. I'm not sure if thats what you meant. He puts snaps around you boat under the rub rail. It has a nice clean look. The advantage of it is yes, you can put it on in the water and it doesn't cover the swim platform. I think it is pointless for a cover to cover the swim platform, i see no reason in it.

[Hollywood]

I think it is pointless for a cover to cover the swim platform, i see no reason in it.

Sun protection for the teak, or whatever material your platform is. Even if the boat is floating in the water it will be dry and exposed to UV rays, but mostly on lifts where it is sure to be dry and just get beaten by the sun. I think covers that go around the platform are an awesome idea.

[AbunDiga909]

yeah, i never thought of that... We are lucky enough to be able to garage our boat in a heated one, so the only time we ever use the cover is for one long annual vacation, to Maine for two weeks, so we cover it for that six hour ride. The only reason why we winterize the boat is incase the heating breaks...

[redelf75]

I think it is pointless for a cover to cover the swim platform, i see no reason in it.

A swim platform cover also keeps the birds off your platform, which may be a problem for some.

[AbunDiga909]

But if you moore with a cover covering the platform, it will prob get wet, eventually, it may get pretty disgusting, just the back part of the cover that is...

[skitime]

All the comments on snaps under the rub rails are right on the money !
that is the only way to go, it keeps everything neat and snug. As far as covers go, it depends how you are using your boat. My boat stays in the water from early may, till late October and from experience the best covers I have had are "custom made" (meaning you leave your boat for 3-4 days while they make a cover) with Sunbrella material. Expensive but worth it! Btw my cover extends over the swim platform because the ducks and geese just LOVE a naked swim platform !! It's worse than cleaning up after a dog..lol

[A&B]

Thanks for all the input. Sounds like the snaps under the rail are the way to go. Just to make sure I got this right, the snaps are put on the underside of the rail itself? Is the rail hollow so a snap can be installed?

[NautiqueJeff]

The rail is solid rubber. My snaps are attached to the rail with screws. Here are a few shots that show the snaps.

http://www.planetnautique.com/stuff/DSCF0475.JPG

http://www.planetnautique.com/stuff/DSCF0474.JPG

http://www.planetnautique.com/stuff/DSCF0472.JPG

[A&B]

Thanks for the pic’s. It’s clear now and I think it’s the way to go.

[Jarabacoa]

A&B, If you have a factory cover, it should have come with tabs sewn on the under side of the cover that have snaps on them. You'd just have to buy the screws with snaps to put under the rub rail. If not, and you are into saving some money, just have the cover modified instead of shelling out for a new one.

[Edwin]

I have two covers for my boat - one's a lightweight dust cover for inside storage, the second is a custom towing cover. I did not opt for snaps on the towing cover, instead opted for lots of straps. I also had a removeable swim platform cover made so it can be removed for towing, snapped in place for storage. Also had the drawstring made so it can be pulled tight and tied from either the nose or the stern. To date, I've towed my boat approx 30,000 miles w/ this cover, no issues at all.