Boat Covers
Boat Covers for Storage, Trailering & Mooring
Protect your boat from sun, rain, dirt, debris, bird droppings, and other environmental exposure with boat covers from West Marine. Shop boat covers for fishing boats, center consoles, pontoons, runabouts, bass boats, jon boats, inflatables, dinghies, deck boats, cruisers, personal watercraft, and more. Choose from semi-custom, styled-to-fit, universal, trailerable, mooring, and storage covers in a variety of sizes, materials, colors, and configurations.
Shop Boat Covers by Type
Semi-Custom Boat Covers
Semi-custom boat covers are designed around specific boat styles and size ranges to provide a closer fit than a basic universal cover. West Marine carries semi-custom and styled-to-fit covers for many popular boat configurations, including center consoles, fishing boats, bass boats, pontoons, runabouts, deck boats, inflatables, and other recreational vessels.
Universal Boat Covers
Universal boat covers provide flexible protection for boats that fall within a particular size and hull-style range. They can be a practical option for storage, mooring, and other applications where a model-specific cover is not required. Always compare the cover's dimensions and intended boat style with your vessel before purchasing.
Trailerable Boat Covers
Trailerable boat covers are designed to remain secured while a boat is being transported on a trailer when properly fitted and installed. Look for covers specifically rated for trailering and follow the manufacturer's tie-down and support instructions before towing.
Mooring & Storage Boat Covers
A mooring or storage boat cover helps protect your vessel while it is docked, stored outdoors, or not in use. Proper fit and support can help reduce water pooling, wind movement, dirt accumulation, and prolonged UV exposure.
Boat Covers for Popular Boat Types
Center Console Boat Covers
Protect the helm, seating, electronics, and cockpit with a center console boat cover. West Marine carries covers designed for center consoles in multiple lengths and configurations, including options for boats with T-tops and other common features.
Pontoon Boat Covers
Pontoon boat covers help protect seating, flooring, consoles, and other exposed areas from sun and weather. Choose a cover based on your pontoon's overall length, beam, railing configuration, engine type, and other features that may affect fit.
Fishing Boat Covers
Keep your fishing boat protected between trips with a fishing boat cover. Find covers for bass boats, bay boats, jon boats, aluminum fishing boats, Whaler-style boats, center consoles, and other fishing configurations.
Bass Boat Covers
Bass boat covers are designed around the low-profile shape and deck layout common to freshwater fishing boats. A properly fitted cover can help protect seats, carpeting, electronics, storage compartments, and other equipment from weather and UV exposure.
Jon Boat & Aluminum Boat Covers
Protect compact fishing and utility boats with jon boat and aluminum boat covers. Choose a cover that accommodates your boat's centerline length, beam, console configuration, and any seats or equipment that extend above the gunwales.
Runabout Boat Covers
Runabout boat covers are available for a range of V-hull and recreational powerboats. Consider windshield height, bow rails, engine configuration, swim platforms, and other features when selecting a cover for a runabout.
Deck Boat Covers
Deck boat covers provide protection for the wider seating and deck layouts found on many recreational boats. Select a cover based on hull style, overall dimensions, windshield or console configuration, and other boat-specific features.
Inflatable Boat & Dinghy Covers
Protect inflatable boats, tenders, and dinghies with covers designed for their unique hull shapes. Inflatable boat covers can help reduce exposure to UV rays, dirt, rain, and debris while the boat is stored or not in use.
Personal Watercraft Covers
Personal watercraft covers provide protection for compatible jet skis and PWCs during storage and transportation. Choose a cover that fits the specific size and profile of your watercraft and is rated for your intended use.
How to Choose the Right Boat Cover
Measure Your Boat's Centerline Length
Measure the centerline length in a straight line from the farthest point at the bow to the farthest point at the stern that you want covered. Do not measure up and over windshields, consoles, or other raised components unless the cover manufacturer's instructions specifically require it.
Measure the Beam Width
The beam is the widest point across your boat. Measure in a straight line across the vessel and compare that measurement with the cover manufacturer's sizing information.
Identify Your Boat Style
Hull style and deck configuration are important because two boats with the same length and beam can require very different covers. Determine whether you have a center console, pontoon, bass boat, runabout, deck boat, jon boat, inflatable, cruiser, or another type of vessel before choosing a cover.
Account for T-Tops, Consoles & Other Features
Windshields, T-tops, bow rails, towers, consoles, swim platforms, outboards, and other equipment can affect fit. Look for a cover specifically designed to accommodate your boat's configuration whenever possible.
Boat Cover Materials & Weather Protection
Polyester Boat Covers
Polyester boat covers are popular because they can provide a useful balance of durability, water resistance, UV resistance, weight, and cost. Marine polyester covers are available in different fabric weights and coatings depending on the intended application.
Acrylic Boat Covers
Acrylic marine fabrics are often selected for long-term outdoor exposure because of their UV resistance, breathability, and durability. Premium acrylic covers can be a strong option for boats stored outdoors or exposed to intense sunlight.
Water-Resistant Boat Covers
Many marine covers are designed to resist rain and moisture while still allowing some breathability. Because performance varies by fabric and construction, review individual product specifications rather than assuming every boat cover is completely waterproof.
UV-Resistant Boat Covers
UV exposure can fade upholstery, damage finishes, and accelerate deterioration of materials aboard your boat. A UV-resistant boat cover provides an additional barrier against prolonged sunlight while the vessel is stored or not in use.
Boat Cover Supports, Straps & Accessories
Boat Cover Support Poles
Boat cover support poles help create peaks beneath a cover so rainwater can drain instead of collecting in low areas. Proper support can reduce sagging and stress on the fabric and seams.
Boat Cover Support Systems
For larger boats or covers prone to pooling, a boat cover support system can help distribute fabric and maintain adequate slope for drainage. Support systems may use poles, straps, bows, or other components depending on the boat and cover.
Boat Cover Tie-Down Straps
Secure your cover with compatible boat cover straps and tie-downs. Use all required attachment points and follow the cover manufacturer's instructions, especially when using a trailerable cover.
Boat Cover Care & Maintenance
Keep Your Boat Cover Properly Supported
Proper support helps prevent standing water and reduces stress on seams and fabric. Make sure water can drain away from the cover and adjust support poles or systems as needed.
Keep Your Boat Cover Secure
A loose cover can flap in the wind, rub against surfaces, and wear prematurely. Secure all appropriate straps or tie-down points and make sure the cover fits snugly without excessive tension.
How to Clean a Boat Cover
Follow the manufacturer's care instructions for your specific fabric. In many cases, loose dirt can be removed first and the cover can then be cleaned with mild soap and water. Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach, or abrasive cleaning unless specifically approved for the cover material.
Dry Your Cover Before Storage
Allow the cover to dry completely before folding or storing it for an extended period. Storing a damp cover can encourage mildew, odors, and fabric deterioration.
Boat Cover FAQ
Choose a boat cover based on your boat type, centerline length, beam width, deck configuration, and intended use. Determine whether you need a cover for trailering, mooring, outdoor storage, or general protection. Then compare your measurements and boat style with the cover manufacturer's sizing information.
Measure the boat's centerline length in a straight line from bow to stern and measure the beam width at the widest point. Do not measure up and over windshields, consoles, or other raised components unless the cover manufacturer's instructions require it. Also account for features such as T-tops, bow rails, swim platforms, and outboards when selecting a cover.
A universal boat cover is designed to fit a broader range of boats within certain dimensions. A semi-custom or styled-to-fit cover is designed around a particular boat style and size range, which generally provides a closer fit than a basic universal cover.
Only use a cover for trailering if the manufacturer specifically identifies it as trailerable. A trailerable cover should be correctly sized, properly supported, and secured using all required straps or tie-down points according to the manufacturer's instructions before towing.
Water resistance varies by cover material and construction. Many marine covers are water-resistant or water-repellent, but not every cover is completely waterproof. Review the individual product specifications for water resistance, breathability, and intended use.
The best material depends on how and where the cover will be used. Polyester can provide a good combination of durability, weather resistance, weight, and value, while premium acrylic marine fabrics are often selected for breathability and long-term UV resistance. Compare fabric weight, water resistance, UV performance, warranty, and intended use.
Use properly positioned boat cover support poles, bows, or a support system to create enough slope for rainwater to drain. The cover should also be correctly sized and tensioned so low areas do not develop where water can collect.
A boat cover should fit securely without excessive slack or excessive tension. A loose cover can flap, collect water, and rub against the boat, while a cover that is too small can place unnecessary stress on seams and fabric.
Follow the manufacturer's care instructions for your specific cover. Generally, remove loose dirt first, wash with mild soap and water when appropriate, rinse thoroughly, and allow the cover to dry completely before storage. Avoid bleach, harsh chemicals, and abrasive cleaning unless specifically approved for the fabric.
The lifespan of a boat cover varies based on fabric quality, UV exposure, climate, fit, wind, use, maintenance, and storage conditions. Proper sizing, support, cleaning, and securing the cover can help reduce premature wear and extend its useful life.
Shop Boat Covers at West Marine
Shop boat covers at West Marine for fishing boats, center consoles, pontoons, bass boats, jon boats, runabouts, deck boats, inflatables, dinghies, personal watercraft, and other vessels. Compare semi-custom, styled-to-fit, universal, trailerable, mooring, and storage covers from leading marine brands, along with boat cover support poles, straps, tie-downs, and accessories. Find the right boat cover to help protect your vessel at the dock, on the trailer, or during storage.