Best boat cover color?
#1

Hi Gang,
Any suggestions for the best color for a boat cover? The boat and cover will be sitting in the open in Florida all year. The installer suggested black which doesn't make sense to me. Thanks for the help!
Any suggestions for the best color for a boat cover? The boat and cover will be sitting in the open in Florida all year. The installer suggested black which doesn't make sense to me. Thanks for the help!
#4
Senior Member


Depends on the material. A lot of guys that make covers out of sunbrella will tell you black. The material breathes and underneath will not really retain any more heat that a lighter color will.
If the material is a top gun canvas then light grey is the way to go.
Lighter sunbrella will show dirt and stains etc a lot more. Since the sunbrella is not died but infused color darker fabrics of sunbrella really to not fade much faster than lighter colors. I have had many custom covers made for my boats over the years.
I only use sunbrella now. A lot of shops use the panorama black color now. But if you don't want to go black the charcoal grey is a good option.
If the material is a top gun canvas then light grey is the way to go.
Lighter sunbrella will show dirt and stains etc a lot more. Since the sunbrella is not died but infused color darker fabrics of sunbrella really to not fade much faster than lighter colors. I have had many custom covers made for my boats over the years.
I only use sunbrella now. A lot of shops use the panorama black color now. But if you don't want to go black the charcoal grey is a good option.
#6
Member

The guy is steering you right. Black Sunbrella is the best stuff to use. Black is the best color.
You don't get mold or mildew under a black cover. It gets too hot in the afternoon. All other colors will allow mildew!! That's an old Florida boaters trick.
fltsfshr
You don't get mold or mildew under a black cover. It gets too hot in the afternoon. All other colors will allow mildew!! That's an old Florida boaters trick.
fltsfshr
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#9
Senior Member




If not black, then Captain's Navy in the Sunbrella line...it too doesn't show dirt.
Mine sits under a canopy of trees and stuff is always dropping on it...the only thing that ever shows is pollen in the Spring...

IMG-20120602-00036.jpg by parthery, on Flickr
Mine sits under a canopy of trees and stuff is always dropping on it...the only thing that ever shows is pollen in the Spring...

IMG-20120602-00036.jpg by parthery, on Flickr
#10
Admirals Club 


Uh, allow me to throw a wrench in the gears regarding the black Sunbrella...I had a black cover on my Panga Skiff, and will never go with black again...
1. It gets so hot that when I'd take the cover off, I couldn't touch the railings, steering wheel, or anything else stainless on the boat. Even the decks were nearly too hot to walk on. Many times taking the boat out later in the day, I'd have to rinse it down with a hose to cool things off.
2. I too thought that the cover being so hot would prevent mold, but it absolutely does not. I had so much mold on the inside of the cover that I'd get a sore throat taking it off the boat. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop or get rid of the mold.
3. This is anectodal, but I think the black gets so hot in the sun, that the life of the waterproofing characteristics is reduced. My black cover stopped beading water after 6 months, while my year-old tan cover still beads water.
I've got a tan cover on my Scout, and it's nice and cool, and mold-free. Based on my personal experience, I'd rethink going with black if it's going to be in the sun full-time...
1. It gets so hot that when I'd take the cover off, I couldn't touch the railings, steering wheel, or anything else stainless on the boat. Even the decks were nearly too hot to walk on. Many times taking the boat out later in the day, I'd have to rinse it down with a hose to cool things off.
2. I too thought that the cover being so hot would prevent mold, but it absolutely does not. I had so much mold on the inside of the cover that I'd get a sore throat taking it off the boat. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop or get rid of the mold.
3. This is anectodal, but I think the black gets so hot in the sun, that the life of the waterproofing characteristics is reduced. My black cover stopped beading water after 6 months, while my year-old tan cover still beads water.
I've got a tan cover on my Scout, and it's nice and cool, and mold-free. Based on my personal experience, I'd rethink going with black if it's going to be in the sun full-time...
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#15
Senior Member


Uh, allow me to throw a wrench in the gears regarding the black Sunbrella...I had a black cover on my Panga Skiff, and will never go with black again...
1. It gets so hot that when I'd take the cover off, I couldn't touch the railings, steering wheel, or anything else stainless on the boat. Even the decks were nearly too hot to walk on. Many times taking the boat out later in the day, I'd have to rinse it down with a hose to cool things off.
2. I too thought that the cover being so hot would prevent mold, but it absolutely does not. I had so much mold on the inside of the cover that I'd get a sore throat taking it off the boat. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop or get rid of the mold.
3. This is anectodal, but I think the black gets so hot in the sun, that the life of the waterproofing characteristics is reduced. My black cover stopped beading water after 6 months, while my year-old tan cover still beads water.
I've got a tan cover on my Scout, and it's nice and cool, and mold-free. Based on my personal experience, I'd rethink going with black if it's going to be in the sun full-time...
1. It gets so hot that when I'd take the cover off, I couldn't touch the railings, steering wheel, or anything else stainless on the boat. Even the decks were nearly too hot to walk on. Many times taking the boat out later in the day, I'd have to rinse it down with a hose to cool things off.
2. I too thought that the cover being so hot would prevent mold, but it absolutely does not. I had so much mold on the inside of the cover that I'd get a sore throat taking it off the boat. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop or get rid of the mold.
3. This is anectodal, but I think the black gets so hot in the sun, that the life of the waterproofing characteristics is reduced. My black cover stopped beading water after 6 months, while my year-old tan cover still beads water.
I've got a tan cover on my Scout, and it's nice and cool, and mold-free. Based on my personal experience, I'd rethink going with black if it's going to be in the sun full-time...
#18
Senior Member


I remember reading that darker sunbrella fabrics will last longer than lighter colors due to better UV resistance. That is why I went with black. The main thing is make sure that Tenara thread is used.
#19
Senior Member

I had a black Sunbrella cover on my lake and Bay. It did get hot under there, but it also kept the boat dry. I was concerned about the batteries cooking all day in the heat, but then I thought of how hot the batteries get under the hood of a car/truck. Loved the black cover.