Yakiddy Yak wrote:
Does the Hobie cover (or the Lovig) hold water when it's just sitting? Like where there is the bungee, it looks like it might sag and hold water.
Yesterday I just made a little PVC A frame to keep water from collecting on top of it but my tarp is getting old and it's a nuisance due to the size of it (was cheap though). I've started to look around on how to customize a tarp and haven't found anything yet (outside of adding grommets or places that will sell you a custom tarp which seems expensive).
Buying fancy UV and waterproof fabric to make my own is starting to seem too expensive for something I still have to assemble.
The Lovig shows an opening on the bottom. I like that since it sits on a trailer but I haven't seen the bottom of the Hobie one - does it do it too? I've always assumed it wrapped all around until I saw the Lovig...
Currently the tarp is big and annoying but it is covering my strap downs, keeping them out of the sun too. That must be a plus. That and I think it provides more airflow.
I'm going to keep looking for adjusting a store bought tarp but if it doesn't pan out, I'd like to know if the pre made covers hold water (no mosquito breeding grounds please!) and if the Hobie one works on a trailer (open bottom). And even if the material breathes, can it breathe enough considering how tightly wrapped they look? Like put it away wet Saturday evening and go out again mid next day, is it dry?
The Hobie cover is open at the bottom, only the bow is fully covered, about to the cassette plug. I strap my kayak down to the trailer before putting the cover on it when taking the boat on trips. It is also open in front and back so that both handles are accessible...especially useful for the bow tie down I use. It also installs and comes off very easily and quickly, it secures very well, with minimal flapping when at highway speed. Also, it seems to be very breathable, but that comes at the cost of water proofing. It is water resistant, but by NO MEANS water proof. And like any cover, if you have a sagging area where water can pool, it will, and it will leak into the kayak. Mine tends to gather in the back behind the seat and leak into the rear tank well...and that is pretty much the best place for it to leak, in my opinion.
The best benefits I have with using the cover is that it keeps debris out of my kayak, and I can keep my PA14 pretty much ready to fish when I leave for a trip. I literally just have to pull the cover off, dip the boat and plug in the drive...and I am fishing. I no longer feel the need to carry everything in my SUV and then put it in the PA when I get to the lake.