Advance Covers

[Mike Harry]

I talked with Ron about a cover for the Advance. One of his suppliers has a min of 10 to order. I was wondering if anyone else out there is in need of and would buy a cover for their Advance. This would be original style and exact fit.

Just gauging intrest. I didnt ask Ron yet if he would do it or not, dont want to bother him with that unless 10,12, or 15 people at least want them.

Ron suggested a semi custom cover which might be the way I have to go if nobody else wants original style, but I thought I would throw it out there and see.

Before anyone asks, I have NO idea what the price would end up being.

Mike

[myager]

I have a Carrera, so maybe it should be the same.  I'm tired of semi-fit covers so if the cost is in line, I would be interested.

thanks

[Joel]

I'm gonna need one sooner or later...  My cover has some life left in it, but a new one is on the horizon.

[Midskier]

any good local canvas / cover shop can make a custom fit cover to you specs, color, material etc, expect to pay $25 - $30 per linear foot
My shop has patterns for 18', Advance, Volante, Eagle, and maybe TBX with squared windshield, we've used this shop since the 80's

Dan T

[Mike Harry]

Who do I need to contact for that Dan? You or the company themselves? I need to get one pretty soon, would like to have a nice original fit!

Ron told me the name, but I wasnt where I could write it down. Are you talking about the style that stops at the rubrail (for the advance)? Thats the kind I had seen on ebay for sale with a boat.... its the kind I would really like to get. Looked like it had bungee or something made into the cover around the edge, looked alot nicer than having to run a bunch of cords down to the trailer.

[Midskier]

Give me a shout and I can get you pricing on the available materials and colors
the advance pattern is unchanged since the early 80s
the advance cover goes below the rub-rail
it has a perimeter rope to snug it tight, eyelets every few feet around the perimeter
to add tie down strings, bungees or whatever.......
2 pole socks sewn in 1 - in front of the motor box, 1 behind it

Dan T

[Mike Harry]

Crap, I didnt put anything in the floor to accept a pole for the cover.

[phil]

Crap, I didnt put anything in the floor to accept a pole for the cover.

huh? the pole just sits on the floor. At least that's how it is on my boats.

[Mike Harry]

Oh, I have seen a couple that have stainless plates with holes in them to accept the poles (not American Skiers). I thought you had to have those. Sweet

[Joel]

A "fake a lake" works great as the rear pole (fully extended) and the end has a wide rubber tip to spread out the tension on the fabric.  It also works great holding the clamshell open (not extended) when you want to air out the engine compartment without opening the entire engine cover.

Since Ron told us the evils of using a fake a lake on an inboard engine I now use it as described above and it works well in both applications.

Joel

[Mike Harry]

Sweet Joel! good advice, but....... I aint buying a $50 fake a lake to hold up my cover! I dont have a clamshell!! 

You gotta remember, I got an ole girl 

[Joel]

Oh too bad... the clamshell is sweet!  I already had the dang fake a lake (got it cheap) so after Ron told me the issues with those, I had to find new ways of using it.  Works well if you have one - if not, I agree DONT BUY ONE!


Still waiting on some pics though...   

[brandon]

Using PVC pipe and fittings, you can make the front pole that slides over the top of the ski pylon.  Trick learned from the Nautiques, not sure who had the original idea.  You have to use a larger diameter pipe on the American Skiers because they have a "t" bar on their pylons (at least the older ones did).  Stringing a rope made to length from the front lift ring to the back one thru the tops of the two poles also helps to keep the center from sagging and collecting water.  Just some different ideas, use what you like or prefer to be the best way!

[Mark]

You can go to www.SKIBOATCOVERS.COM OR CALL 1-800-345-3670. The company is in Flint, Michigan. I bought one for my 1989 Advance and it fits as if it were custom made. They make covers for every inboard ski boat out there. It cost me $510.00 and came with a long and short pole to support the cover fore and aft of the engine box. It's made of Sunbrella material so there's many colors to pick from. I had just reconditioned the interior of my boat and felt the cover would make it last. I live is south Florida and this cover is well worth the cost and quality is top of the line.

[amskierLDFWI]

Great advice! I think I just figured out my xmas present.