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Bass Cat Boats.
Thinking of purchasing a Aurora Sunbrella cover for my Puma . I currently have the Aqualon cover which is starting to show its age . My specific question has to do with the ratchets for the cover . The ones that came with the Aqualon cover are to be honest pieces of crap . I realize that the cover is made by a vendor not basscat . The original ratchets that came with the Aqualon cover lasted a month and wore out . I was able to find the exact replacement ratchet at harbor freight for 4 dollars each . Im luckily to get a few months out of each pair . Furthermore I can never travel with the cover on the boat as it barely fits and no matter how tightly I secure the cover the back comes up over the rub rail as I travel . Im looking for input from people that have the sunbrella cover . I have to questions are the ratchets the same as the ones with the Aqualon cover and do you have any problems travelling with the cover . Im a loyal basscat owner on his second puma so I dont mean this to be a bash at basscat at all ,thanks
Pretty sure ratchets have been improved. As far as sunbrella, I like the cover,very nice material and does not scratch boat. Travel wise,unless you crank down that strap to almost where you think it`s going to brake it will still come up.I`m sure there are guys that don`t have that problem,but I feel there should be at least one strap per side for adding security. I wil probably have that done to mine.
Bassaction wrote: Travel wise,unless you crank down that strap to almost where you think it`s going to brake it will still come up.^^^^^^^^^^ This above.I had a 2013 strapless, and now a 2015 strapless. The ratchets on the 2015 are better. Part of the trick to getting a good fit for travel is adjusting the tent poles, especially on a single console. I was even able to make a further adjustment going from Fortrex to Ultrex with the tent poles without having to get the cover released, as the Ultrex sits a little higher in the mount. I can travel down the highway and my top does not budge.
They have improved every year. The 2018 covers are much better and every cover before 2017 needed the prop posts shortened. They would not retract enough and have to be cut down.
Aurora sells an “S” shaped bracket with a hole on one end that fits the motor mount bolts and the other end fits a boat buckle. Take two of these and attach one on either side to the existing motor mount bolts (place on top of the existing nut and secure with a nut on top). Cut the straps to desired length and sew “D”” rings to the end. You can then hang the boat buckles on the installed bracket and attach the hook to the “D” ring. You can then ratchet them down as tight as you would like. No comparison to the jury rig provided with the cover. I,ve used this method on two covers with great results.
catdude28 wrote:Bassaction wrote: Travel wise,unless you crank down that strap to almost where you think it`s going to brake it will still come up.^^^^^^^^^^ This above.I had a 2013 strapless, and now a 2015 strapless. The ratchets on the 2015 are better. Part of the trick to getting a good fit for travel is adjusting the tent poles, especially on a single console. I was even able to make a further adjustment going from Fortrex to Ultrex with the tent poles without having to get the cover released, as the Ultrex sits a little higher in the mount. I can travel down the highway and my top does not budge. Can to describe your pole adjustments?
The poles have center stems that are adjusted by a knurled knob with stem bolt, those are too long and they require being cut down with a V file notching the tube, or a tubing cutter. Shortening these should have been done by Aurora, though their stock tubes were too long and they just got used in the boxes with covers. The tubes prevent the cover from rolling down and a few inches in length makes all the difference on the cover fit.
I had a cover made by a guy that Sherm uses. Its just like the Sunbrella with the ratchet, a good quality ratchet I might add. The difference is that there are two straps, one on each side, just beside the consoles. This keeps the cover from riding up over the rub rail. The guy also makes the covers a bit wider, so more of the cover comes down over the side of the boat, below the rub rail.
I have a new sunbrella cover bought through BCB and like it. Sounds like the one billius described. A rachet on both sides that has its own pouch for the rachet to enclose and protect the boat. It fits great and pulls tight under the rubrail. I am not really use to the poles as of yet. It seems kind of cumbersome. I have a better idea I am working on for that. Since it is a new boat I am a little leary about travel with it on. Even though the inside liner is felt like, I have had no issue to the finish, it is always on my mind!
The Sunbrella Supreme material will not harm your boat towing and we are glad you like your cover.
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