Last Updated on June 6, 2025
When you own a boat, you want to keep it clean and dry. It's a common question: should you trailer your boat with the cover on? While it might seem like a good idea to protect your boat on the road, there are some important things to consider. This article will help you understand when it's okay to trailer with a cover and when it's best to leave it off.
Types of Boat Covers
There are two main kinds of boat covers:
- Snap-on bow and cockpit covers: These are designed to fit snugly over specific areas of your boat.
- Mooring or trailering covers: These are larger covers meant to protect the entire boat.
Both types of covers are made to keep your boat dry and clean when it's sitting still, whether at the dock or in your yard. People often want to use them while driving to keep the boat protected from road dust and weather.
When It's Okay to Trailer With a Cover On
Sometimes, it's fine to trailer your boat with the cover on. This is usually okay if you are:
- Going short distances.
- Keeping your speeds quite reasonable.
If you're just moving your boat a short way at slow speeds, the cover might not experience too much stress.
When It's Not Okay to Trailer With a Cover On
Driving at regular highway speeds for any long distance puts a lot of strain on any boat cover. The material can flap up and down in the wind or rub against the boat's hull. This can cause damage to both your boat and the cover itself. It will definitely lead to a lot of wear and tear on the cover.
Key Takeaways
- Damage to the boat: Flapping covers can scratch or damage the boat's finish.
- Cover wear and tear: The constant wind and rubbing will quickly wear out the cover material.
- Voiding the warranty: Almost all boat manufacturers state in their warranty disclaimers that boat covers are not designed for trailering. Using them this way can void your boat's warranty.
Our Recommendation
We always recommend not trailering with your boat cover on. Instead, put every cover away safely inside the boat. This includes folding up your bimini top. This helps minimize the risk of any damage to your boat.
Your boat might get a little wet or dusty from the road, but you'll know for sure that your boat cover is in good shape. Its main job is to protect the boat when it's sitting still, and it will be able to do that properly.
What Will Happen to Covers Over Time
If you trailer with your boat cover on regularly, it will stretch out. When a cover stretches, it becomes less effective at keeping out water and dirt when the boat is sitting. This means it won't protect your boat as well in the long run.
Secure Everything Inside the Boat
If you decide to trailer with your boat cover off, make sure everything inside is secure. You'll want to check that:
- Upholstery and seats are fastened in well.
- There's nothing loose, like life jackets or ropes, that could blow out of the boat.
- Carpet or sea deck is well fastened down.
There's nothing worse than getting to your destination and finding something missing from your boat. We've heard stories of people having to go back to find cushions or pieces of carpet that have blown out.
What About a Bimini Top?
We've seen instances where people trailer with their bimini top up, and it gets completely destroyed. This can also be a safety issue. If something flies off, it could damage a car behind you. It can also damage the structure of your boat by pulling fasteners out of the deck or fence on a pontoon boat. We've even seen complete mooring covers blow off, ripping all the snaps out and causing problems on the highway.
So, can you trailer with your boat cover on? Yes, you can, but we think it's not the best idea. Thanks for watching today's Lenscove Lessons in Boating. We'll see you on the water, or on the roads, hopefully with your cover off!
