to cover or not cover while trailering

[Fishhunter15]

On a recent trip we shattered the front windshield on our boat. We usually travel without the cover on. Was this just a freak accident or is it common? Should I cover the boat, I've read that it can mess up the gel coat.... any thoughts or suggestions would be great.

 

[SuperD]

On my boat, trailering without my cover creates a definite noticeable increase in drag. I had a similar situation a couple of years ago traveling across the Great Salt Flats during a storm and I shattered the center pass thru window. I hadn't latched it and the backdraft pressure was enough to slam the door open and break the glass. I much prefer to haul with my travel cover on. I've been more conscious of making sure that the cover is snapped to the door now.

 

[Bduck]

Whenever there is foul weather, I tow using the travel cover. I don't like picking up road grime from wet roads all over inside the boat. When weather is good, on short hauls to local lakes I will tow without it and the longer hauls with it. I do have a very small rock chip on the windshield which I'm lucky it didn't turn into a more catastrophic situation. I have been considering making a travel cover just for the windshield with a sheet of thin insulating foam that can be purchased at Home Depot or Lowes that will snap in place with existing snaps on windshield. Its something to think about.

 

[Mike]

Hey check this out! looks like it would solve your problem. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boat...=SBC;MMcat104794380;cat104703480;cat104287680

 

[Bduck]

Hey check this out! looks like it would solve your problem. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boat...=SBC;MMcat104794380;cat104703480;cat104287680

Now that's what I'm talking about. That would be easy for the short & some of the longer hauls. I have all of the material to make one and a industrial sewing machine to do the job with.

 

[SuperD]

Work the bugs out Roger and then you can make mine.

 

[smokepoles]

Yes, Roger, that would be sweet. I had a travel cover for mine, but it did not protect the windshield that I was most concerned about. I bought a cover that indicated trailerable, but it got blown to pieces last year coming back from Gorge when there were 60-70 mile winds ripping it in all directions as we came home.

 

[Fishhunter15]

Is it common to break the windshield? I guess I didn't realize it was this big of a problem. I think I'll start making some sort of protector!