Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Sunbrella cover installation advice.
Bass Cat Boats.
I received my cover today for 2013 puma ftd. Im having quite a bit of difficulty getting cover over ladder in back but mostly not able to get the cover beneath the rub rail on each side of the boat at the front 3rd of the boat. Im a fairly big guy and pulling and stretching as much as I can. Had to get wife to hold edge beneath rub rail on each side while ratcheting down and still rose right back to top edge of rail instead of cinching underneath. This will easily pull up when towing. Other than these issues, love the cover and looks great. Can anyone give advice as I have done all that I can. Would fit perfect if could get those straps to cinch beneath rail instead of on side of it and over all of ladder. I looked at install pics numerous times and those seem to cover under rail with ease.
The cover will stretch over time and will fit better. The cover doesnt go below the rubrail any greater than the width of the strap. Once its on, tighten the hell out of it to take the creases out from where it was folded. Lastly, make sure you attach the straps to the engine bracket. Not on the transom u bolts and not on the engine bracket attached to the transom.
Thanks Phil! I was hoping it would stretch just wasnt sure. I do have them hooked in motor bracket. Im not able to get even that much over rub rail at moment. If had another inch and half each side would work. Im going to check tomorrow and see if there is a way to allow the trolling mother head to drop and inch or two lower if I adjust or remove the bounce buster. I definitely like the cover and material.
The support rods must be shortened to fit and some have required trimming length. It is a very tight fit.
Thanks BCB. At moment I dont have support rods in cover and having the issues. If the cover gets any lift i will for sure not go over rubrail so left them out. I have it on and very tight at moment. Im gonna see if cover will stretch some for a week or so and be able to pull completely over rub rail. Will report back if it doesnt. Thanks for help.
Spray the Sunbrella fabric with a garden hose to wet it (really, really wet), this will cause the fabric to relax/stretch. Tighten the strap and allow the fabric to dry on the boat and your future problems should be solved. I was in the textile distribution business for over 20 years and Sunbrella was a fabric we distributed. It is an excellant product and is made with solution dyed acrylic fiber to make its color long lasting. Its only negative is that has a low abrasion resistance and rub/wear points must be reinforced (they are reinforced of the BassCat cover). Dont put lawn chairs, ice chests or any other items on your decks and in contact with the cover and tow at speed down the road or you will wear a hole in your cover (guaranteed!). Also the fabric is not fire resistant and will burn if exposed to an open flame or embers as will most all other boat cover fabrics. If your cover becomes dirty NEVER ever wash it with a power washer as it will remove the silicon water repelant treatment, blow water through the fabric into your boat and also abrade and damage the acrylic fiber.ps: I have a Sunbrella fabric cover on my BassCat, I would not have any other fabric cover material. I would like to be able to retrofit my cover to the new rachet tie down system. Any options/future kit for that?Last edited by Devoreflyer on December 21st, 2012, 1:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
We have fit several of these new style covers at the factory now. They are extrememly taught when new and must be hand fit, by stretching, placing, straightening and pulling all around the cover. Initial set up requires no more than fifteen minutes and less for us. Once you have the initial fit you place the hooks in the motor bracket, in the furthermost rear gear case side holes and not the jack plate side, then you pull the excess 1″ strap material out of the ratchets and begin tightening. You tighten from side to side and use excess force on the strap handles to set the cover. This is not the Sunbrella cover material most are familiar with and do not wet it new. There is very little stretch in this fabric. Once you have the cover set to where the straps go just under the rub rail, tow it down the road and there should be no lifting and no flapping below highway limit speeds. The best tip we can give you is to lubricated the ratchets before you start as they tend to bind some when high amounts of torque is applied.
If you can not get the desired fit contact Jason at BCB and he will require some pictures to verify what you have. From there we will get Aurora on the ball and see what they can do to resolve this. These new covers are light and fit exceptionally easy after that first install or fitting.
Thanks again. It is definitely a tight fit, and that is what I like about it. the only part left in concern is at the front 1/3 (even w/ trolling motor head). If I put the strap beneath the rub rail and tighten, that side will do right but pull the opposite side up and tighten on the side of the rub rail and not underneath it (after I have pulled and stretched and repeated). I think that it will work out. Im going to continue playing with it a little longer. This is the best cover I have ever had with a boat and pleased with it. Just trying to make it fit correctly. Will chime in again or give Jason a call if I am not able to get it after a few days. Thanks again for the help and have a Merry Christmas!!Last edited by Lookn4five on December 21st, 2012, 2:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Please do as they are really focused on making sure those covers work well. They have spent considerable time and energy designing and fitting on this style and it is the best to date we have ever used. They want to make sure everyone gets what the factory expects in this quality product.
© 2026 Bass Cat Boats
