Maintaining your pontoon boat is an important step to keep it in good condition for years to come. Boats are expensive and it pains me to see them uncovered with the furniture and all the other parts exposed to the elements. One simple way to prevent mildew and sun damage is to use a pontoon boat cover.
These covers provide extra durability and weather protection during the wintertime, or when you're not using your boat. This really helps to extend the lifespan of your pontoon boat and protect your investment.
If you go to a custom shop, they charge anywhere from $1,200 to $1,500 for a snap-on canvas cover. These don't really offer any added benefit, and they wear at the same rate. Instead, you can get an alternative for much cheaper that's even easier to put on. We'll be taking a look at the best pontoon boat covers you can buy.
IMAGE
PRODUCT
PRODUCT DETAILS
OUR #1 RATED
iCOVER
Pontoon Boat Cover
Made of 300D Marine Grade waterproof material with tear, mildew, and UV resistance.
Vortex
Grey Pontoon Boat Cover
Marine canvas cover with an elastic band and straps with easy fastening for a secure fit.
MSC
Trailer-able Pontoon Cover
Marine grade polyester canvas with double PU coating with double stitching and an elastic cord.
Budge
300 Denier Pontoon Cover
Waterproof and UV resistant polyester boat cover for protection from sun, rain, and snow.
Pyle
Shield Pontoon Boat Cover
Resistant to mildew and UV damage with tough polyester Hurricane fabric for durability and protection.
Who Needs To Use A Pontoon Boat Cover?
Anyone who owns a pontoon boat should have proper cover. During the off-season and wintertime many people store their boats outside. Under these conditions the elements will take a tole on the interior and parts of the boat. With a good cover, you'll able to protect it from harsh damage and keep it in much better condition long term.
Consider all of the debris or damage that could hit your boat if left uncovered:
- Rain, sleet, snow
- Sun/UV damage
- Bird droppings
- Pollen
How Does A Pontoon Boat Cover Work?
They work quite simple by wrapping over the exterior of the boat. You insert a couple of poles that the cover wraps onto. This helps to push rain and snow to roll off of the tarp. Then it tightens to create a sturdy base that won't shift in or collapse during heavy rains. It also ties down with a buckle strap, rope and stretch cord.
It's also important to note that you DO NOT want to leave your cover on while you tow your pontoon boat. If you're doing any highway driving at high speeds, wind can get up under your cover causing it to tear against the side of your boat. Some companies will say it's okay to do this in their product descriptions, yet it is somewhat risky.
How Do I Choose A Pontoon Boat Cover?
In order to choose a pontoon boat cover, you first need to know how long your pontoon boat is. The length of your boat determines what size cover you need to buy. The size options come in a few options and stretch over to fit within a size range. For example you may choose between a 17ft-20ft or a 21ft-24ft cover. You'll want to make sure you buy the right size cover or otherwise water may build-up in the center if it's not a tight fit.
Buy a pontoon boat cover that's all weather and comes with straps. These elastic straps help to tighten it down for heavy winds and other weather conditions. These straps also give an easy installation and a quick release.
Choose a cover that's well made so it lasts. Your cover will endure lots of wear and tear in the outdoors. Therefore it needs to be durable. Many come equipped with 300D waterproof polyester material that's built to withstand strong weather.
Below is a checklist of things to look for when choosing a pontoon boat cover:
- Ensure you pick the right size cover.
- Buy a boat cover that's got proper straps.
- Choose a pontoon cover that is well made.
What Is The Best Pontoon Boat Cover?
We've looked at a range of pontoon boat covers and have selected five covers. The main things we've looked at are quality, price, and sizing. We've reviewed these five covers and listed some pros and cons for each cover.
our #1 rated
iCOVER
Pontoon Boat Cover
Quality
Price
Our rating
The iCOVER pontoon boat cover is available in one color and two length options. The cover features an elastic cord sewn in the hemline for a secure and snug fit. It also comes with an extra roomy cut to fix accessories and a tightening system to prevent water build-up.
Customers who purchased this cover liked how large it was to fit their boat and outboard motor. Many people said that it was nice and easy to install with two people. Other customers reported that it stayed on even through several heavy storms.
Some customers who used this with their pontoon boat said that you will need poles or PVC to hold up certain parts in the middle. A few people commented that they would suggest an additional cover for your motor depending on how big it is. One customer also said it did not cover the full openings on their boat.
PROS
CONS
our #2 rated
Vortex
Grey Pontoon Boat Cover
Quality
Price
Our rating
The Vortex grey pontoon boat cover comes in one size and color option. The cover features a heavy duty marine canvas for storage, mooring, and trailing. It also comes with an elastic band and straps for securing it to your pontoon boat.
Customers who purchased this cover said that it's an incredible bargain for the quality of the product. People also said that the cover is super tough and holds up even against sharp edges. Customers also said that it stretches down over the awning pieces.
Some people who purchased this cover said that the straps were too short to reach the trailer on their 24 ft Tracker pontoon boat. A few customers who used this cover said that it had a sloppy fit for them. Other customers reported that it ripped depending on their pole system for rain.
PROS
CONS
our #3 rated
MSC
Trailer-able Pontoon Cover
Quality
Price
Our rating
This "trailer-able" pontoon cover by MSC comes in three color options and three sizes. The cover features marine grade polyester canvas with a double PU coating. It's built for long-term storage, mooring and highway travel. In addition, it's resistant to mildew and UV damage from the sun.
Customers who purchased this cover found it to be quite thick and offer an easy way to protect their boat. Many customers found it to be of high quality and withstand heavy storms without any tears. Other customers commented that it's great for a boat in a dock with a lift as well.
A few customers who purchased this cover said that it's not tow-able whatsoever. Some people who used it also said that it had poor quality and ripped only after a few months. Some customers also said that it the seams were weak.
PROS
CONS
our #4 rated
Budge
300 Denier Pontoon Cover
Quality
Price
Our rating
The Budge 300D pontoon boat cover comes in three size options. It features a waterproof outer layer with UV resistance from the sun. The cover also comes with quick-snap straps for an adjustable system in windy weather conditions.
Customers who purchased this cover said that it's a great fit and the elastic hem is a nice plus. People said they liked how firm it was up under the sides of their boat. Customers also said it was roomy and easy to use as protection from the elements.
Some people who used this cover said that their first one was great, yet their second cover kept popping up in the rain. Other customers found that it does not last if driven at highway speeds. Otherwise, it will tear apart in the wind going over 70 mph.
PROS
CONS
our #5 rated
Pyle
Shield Pontoon Boat Cover
Quality
Price
Our rating
This Pyle shield pontoon boat cover is available in one size and color. The cover features resistance to mildew and UV damage. It also comes with a tough polyester fabric for durability and weather protection. In addition, there is an integrated strap and rope attachment for the sides.
People who purchased this cover said that it's lightweight, heavy duty, and gets the job done. Some customers said that the extra flap for the engine coverage is nice to have. Other people said that the rope was pretty stretchy and fit around the boat.
Many customers who used this cover said that it would start to tear around the seams within two weeks. A few customers said that it needed additional hardware to clip it to their boats. Other people also said that their cover did not last that long.
PROS
CONS
To Conclude
Each pontoon boat cover we've reviewed works for those looking to protect their boat while it's in storage. All the covers feature decent materials, a solid fit, and straps for securing it down tight.
After comparing all the products the best pontoon boat cover is the iCOVER.
This cover works well for protecting your boat from mildew and sun damage. It features strong 300D waterproofing, and it's sturdy for heavy weather. We also like the fact that the cover comes with a snug elastic cord.