Article by John
Going with a semi-custom boat cover over a custom cover can save boaters money. However, buying a cover that doesn't fit well can cause problems. Oftentimes, the manufacturer of semi-custom covers will have a database that matches up particular boats with the specific size and style of cover in their product line. All you need to do is select the manufacturer and model of your boat. However, you might find that your boat isn't listed in this database. When this happens, you'll need to make some measurements.The key measurements that you'll need to make are the boat's LOA (Length Over All) and its beam. While many boat manufacturers can supply these statistics to owners, measuring for yourself is still your best bet. At a minimum, you'll need a tape measure. Getting a friend's help will make things a lot easier.To get the LOA, measure from the very front of the hull to the very back. Be sure to include the bow pulpit and/or swim platform. If you have an outboard mounted on a jack plate, include the amount of extension provided by the jack plate. The beam is the widest part of the hull, measured at a 90 degree angle to the centerline.Many if not most boats will have a center console, cuddy cabin or some other construct that can get in the way of an accurate measurement. One solution is to drop plumb lines at the very front and back of the hull. Just tape a string at each end of the hull, let the other end of the string drop to the ground, then measure between the strings. You can use this same technique for obtaining the beam measurement by taping strings to the sides of the hull at its widest point, then measure.The better your measurement, the better the cover will fit, and a good-fitting boat cover results in long life and maximum protection.