Towing boats & covers

I was wondering I had a cover made up for the boat  while ago mainly for when its parked but I have been assured its towable, but I do wonder at 100kmph and the wind going over the covers how it would hold up. How does everyone tow the boat long distance ?  is it best to use the cover if its available  it would keep the crap out of the boat :) how about wind resistance tho ?.... I do wonder if a cover adds more of that hence more fuel for towing.


Jody's picture

Posts: 1578

Date Joined: 19/04/07

Plus

Tue, 2010-04-20 08:00

A wise man once told me ....  It's not just the 100kmph your doing, have to add on the force of the wind the road train going in the opposite direction.

Sealed it for me

I leave it up for short tows only.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 TWiZTED

Rod P's picture

Posts: 725

Date Joined: 20/05/08

(No subject)

Wed, 2010-04-21 09:14

Smile

wildinp's picture

Posts: 89

Date Joined: 30/03/09

leave it off

Tue, 2010-04-20 07:57

othr than floggin the cover, as mentioned, there are some large forces that will happen, especially with trucks in the opposite direction.  Some people are of opinions they stop stuff coming out of the boat - not an issue if it is packed right.  Also the sideways winds - it will give them a bigger surface area to catch on adn make the trailer swerve a little bit more.

And using extra fuel, yep, laws of physics will definately agree with that one.

we just got a new chivers boat and had the canvas cover made, they say you 'can' tow with it on, but it is not recommended - similar to people who leave the clears on the front windows when towing, just puts unnecesary stresses on everything.

Anytime Brad's picture

Posts: 237

Date Joined: 20/07/09

towable cover

Tue, 2010-04-20 09:25

had a canvas cover made recently and do tow with it. Boat isnt that high a profile so made no difference to fuel consumption compared to previous trips. Protects the windscreen and most of the boat from stones as well as keeping my camping gear dry if it rains (main reason).  No dramas so far with towing.

Brad

____________________________________________________________________________

I would rather be fishing

Paul H's picture

Posts: 2104

Date Joined: 18/01/07

Depends on the type of

Tue, 2010-04-20 10:02

Depends on the type of cover

I have a cover for the cuddy cab which clips to the top of the windscreen and runs down to the back (rather than the car type cover which just goes over the whole boat), Is fitted with press studs right around.  At two points on each side of the cabin I have changed these to a bolt wingnut attachment as the press studs sometimes came off at times.  Haven't had a problem since. 

Tow it with cover on from Adelaide to Streaky Bay, Port lincoln etc (650-700km trips)  Will put a pick of the boat with cover on in "South Oz Pauls pics" galleries shortly

 

Cheers

Paul

____________________________________________________________________________

Youtube Channel  -  FishOnLine Productions

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos

Paul H's picture

Posts: 2104

Date Joined: 18/01/07

Boat with cover as per post above

Tue, 2010-04-20 10:12

____________________________________________________________________________

Youtube Channel  -  FishOnLine Productions

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUVNa-ViyGm_FTDSv4Nqzg/videos

mitch's picture

Posts: 1285

Date Joined: 14/08/05

had a very similar cover

Tue, 2010-04-20 10:52

had a very similar cover when i first got my boat. towed with it on and im talking 1500kms passing triples and having them come the other way wasnt any worse with or without the cover. when a triple road train come passed you seem to brace and always expect a bit of turbulance.have slept under it as well.was a good thing till the UV rays of Tom Vagas trashed it

synthos's picture

Posts: 522

Date Joined: 23/06/07

nice point on the clears

Thu, 2010-04-22 02:01

Seems we have a mixed camp here :) I had not thought of taking off the clears when towing not a  bad idea, especially when towing longer distance. My cover is a full throw on - custom cut one, I can see how a cover like pauls has little resistance but my profile is very diffrent, mitch which cover did u have similar to pauls ? Rods smily face has me concernd ;)