How to Make a Powerboat Cover

X-HT-200616

Are you looking for a new custom cover for your powerboat? Did you ever think about making one yourself? We're excited to share with you our first ever powerboat project! Our "How to Make a Powerboat Cover" video tutorial is full of helpful tips, techniques and step-by-step instructions for making a perfectly snug cover. Join us in this fun marine DIY project!
Video Chapters:
  • Taking Measurements – 0:24 min.
  • Sewing Panels Together – 2:46 min.
  • Patterning – 5:56 min.
  • Sewing Darts – 23:00 min.
  • Sewing Chafe Patches – 33:53 min.
  • Patterning & Sewing Ladder Cover – 40:32 min.
  • Creating Vents – 53:08 min.
  • Making Side Skirt – 57:47 min.
  • Installing Snaps & Poles – 1:06:55 min.
  • Materials List – 1:14:46 min.
Materials List:
  • SureRite® Beige 60" Fabric – #125612
  • Tex 90 (V-92) White UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. – #100079
  • Phifertex® Standard Vinyl Mesh Black 54" Fabric – #388111
  • Filament Strapping Tape 3/4" – #5643
  • Black Polypropylene Webbing – #PPLWBK
  • Tape Shelter-Rite® 18 oz. 3" – Black #104222 or White #104223
  • Leech Line Dacron® 1/8" White – #21209
  • Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas & Upholstery – #129
  • SnapRite® Snap Fastener Button 1/4" (Nickel-Plated Brass) – #104154
  • DOT® Snap Fastener Normal Action Socket (Nickel-Plated Brass) – #333050
  • #2 Spur Grommet 3/8" – Brass #26309, Nickel-Plated Brass #26316, or Stainless Steel #354211
  • Cam-Lock Support Poles - Snap & Swedge Tip – #105131
Tools List:
  • Sailrite® Standard Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package – #400500
  • Soapstone Fabric Marking Pencil White – #102766
  • Marking Chalk for Fabrics – #102464
  • Spring Clamp – #50211
  • Sailrite® Edge Hotknife Package – #103800
  • Sailrite® SnapRite® System (4 Dies & 100 Mandrels) – #104237
  • #2 Spur Grommet Die Set 3/8" – #18203
  • Sailrite® #2 Hole Cutter 3/8" – #18211
  • Sailrite® Rubber Poundo Board 12" x 12" – #123962
  • Scissors, Ruler, Pencil
How to Make a Power Boat Cover Video 2

There are many benefits to making your own custom powerboat cover. Covers from big box stores can be a close fit to your boat, but they rarely fit just right. Custom covers from a canvas shop will be made for your vessel, but they can be really expensive. By making the cover yourself, you can use the highest-quality materials for the best price and have a cover that fits perfectly. Plus, you get the satisfaction and pride of conquering this DIY project and telling people you made it yourself!

The style of cover featured in the video can be used for trailering, storage and mooring. It features a snap closure system and adjustable support poles in the interior to prevent water from pooling on the cover. This is a very important feature of powerboat covers. Learn how to pattern the cover on the boat with fabric (5:56 min.), how to create darts (23:00 min.), how to add chafe protection (33:53 min.), how to install snaps and support poles (1:06:55 min.), and more!

Have any of you made a custom boat cover before? Share your tips and advice in the comments!

Materials List:

SureRite Beige 60" Fabric

#125612

SureRite® Beige 60" Fabric

Tex 90 (V-92) White UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. (1,350 yds.)

#100079

Tex 90 (V-92) White UV Bonded Polyester Thread 4 oz. (1,350 yds.)

Phifertex Standard Vinyl Mesh Black 54" Fabric

#388111

Phifertex® Standard Vinyl Mesh Black 54" Fabric

Filament Strapping Tape 3/4" (60 yds.)

#5643

Filament Strapping Tape 3/4" (60 yds.)

Black Polypropylene Webbing

#PPLWBK

Black Polypropylene Webbing

Tape Shelter-Rite 18 oz. Black 3" (Not Adhesive Backed)

#104222

Tape Shelter-Rite® 18 oz. Black 3" (Not Adhesive Backed)

Tape Shelter-Rite 18 oz. White 3" (Not Adhesive Backed)

#104223

Tape Shelter-Rite® 18 oz. White 3" (Not Adhesive Backed)

Leech Line Dacron 1/8" White

#21209

Leech Line Dacron® 1/8" White

Leech Line Dacron 1/8" Black

#212114

Leech Line Dacron® 1/8" Black

Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.)

#129

Seamstick 3/8" Basting Tape for Canvas (50 yds.)

SnapRite Snap Fastener Button 1/4" (Nickel-Plated Brass)

#104154

SnapRite® Snap Fastener Button 1/4" (Nickel-Plated Brass)

Snap Fastener Normal Action Socket (Nickel-Plated Brass)

#333050

DOT® Snap Fastener Normal Action Socket (Nickel-Plated Brass)

#2 Spur Grommet 3/8" (Brass)

#26309

#2 Spur Grommet 3/8" (Brass)

#2 Spur Grommet 3/8" (Nickel-Plated Brass)

#26316

#2 Spur Grommet 3/8" (Nickel-Plated Brass)

#2 Spur Grommet 3/8" (Stainless Steel)

#354211

#2 Spur Grommet 3/8" (Stainless Steel)

Cam-Lock Support Poles - Snap & Swedge Tip

#105131

Cam-Lock Support Poles - Snap & Swedge Tip

Tools List:

Sailrite Standard Fabricator Sewing Machine Package (110V)

#400500

Sailrite® Standard Fabricator® Sewing Machine Package (110V)

Soapstone Fabric Marking Pencil White

#102766

Soapstone Fabric Marking Pencil White

Marking Chalk for Fabrics (12 pack)

#102464

Marking Chalk for Fabrics (12 pack)

Spring Clamp

#50211

Spring Clamp

Sailrite Edge Hotknife Package (110V)

#103800

Sailrite® Edge Hotknife Package (110V)

Sailrite SnapRite System (4 Dies & 100 Mandrels)

#104237

Sailrite® SnapRite® System (4 Dies & 100 Mandrels)

#2 Spur Grommet Die Set 3/8"

#18203

#2 Spur Grommet Die Set 3/8"

Sailrite #2 Hole Cutter 3/8"

#125481

Sailrite® #2 Hole Cutter 3/8"

Sailrite Rubber Poundo Board 12" x 12"

#123962

Sailrite® Rubber Poundo Board 12" x 12"

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