Boat Tarp/Cover

[onevalkyrie]

1. Who all tows with their tarp/cover on?
2. Is it a Tige stock tarp/cover?
From time to time I do tow with it on and it is a stock Tige cover,and I have to say that to look so good when you put it on it is the worst tarp I have ever had to blow down into the front of the boat. Now I know that the front of the RZ 4 is massive so I put the web and pole system in the last time with an extra pad and all it did was hold up the center and collapse down around it, which pulls the sides up and makes everything look like shzzz. I've heard that putting a snap on bow cover helps this problem but I don't know if I'm too in love with the idea of drilling all those holes in the top for the snaps. Any comments appreciated.

[Razzman]

Most factory covers are not made for towing. They are not tight enough, move around and rub the gel and will rip. The only cover i know of that is tow-worthy are the Rankin Covers (http://www.rankincovers.com/). Did i say they are very expensive?

[juniors]

I have the Rankin and would not trade it for anything tows great and never ever standing water:ro: yes pricey but you get what you pay for:D

[21TigeToGo]

I tow with factory bow and cockpit cover and so far so good. Of course it does not give full coverage like a Rankin or other full covers but gets the job done for short and long hauls it has done ok. I would not leave it in the weater for any length of time with this top but that is what the barn is for. Sor far for last couple of seasons it has handled numerous 600+ miles trips and is holding out well. Only issue is due to were it is in the barn The wife is always mad because I nail he flower bed get it out.

[Fast1911]

I towed with my first factory cover fora few years and no problems.........few extra bungie cords helped. I do no tow with my new factory cover because it is just to nice and expensive

[dogbert]

The newer factory covers, like the ones they had for the Ve series can be towed with no problem.

[fleetpaint]

what is a bllpark price for a rankin cover?

[onevalkyrie]

what is a bllpark price for a rankin cover?

I talked to them today and they quoted me $ 975.00 + shipping (20-30 bucks)
for my 08 RZ 4.

[chpthril]

I talked to them today and they quoted me $ 975.00 + shipping (20-30 bucks)
for my 08 RZ 4.

1st, I know Rankin makes great covers, but did they explain how their cover will be different from the factory and not be a repeat of what you have?

I tow with my cover when the boat goes out of town, it sags in some from the 70mph breeze, but stays snug on under the RR and has never been a problem. I haven't heard any other complaints from RZ owners.

[onevalkyrie]

1st, I know Rankin makes great covers, but did they explain how their cover will be different from the factory and not be a repeat of what you have?

I tow with my cover when the boat goes out of town, it sags in some from the 70mph breeze, but stays snug on under the RR and has never been a problem. I haven't heard any other complaints from RZ owners.

I think that I understood them to say that they have some kind of "hooks" that grab under the grab rail to keep it from coming up? But any info you have would be greatly appreciated as I sure don't want to drop a grand and be disappointed. Is your boat a RZ 4 also?

[chpthril]

I think that I understood them to say that they have some kind of "hooks" that grab under the grab rail to keep it from coming up? But any info you have would be greatly appreciated as I sure don't want to drop a grand and be disappointed. Is your boat a RZ 4 also?

22Ve, but came with only a single pole support in the main cabin.

[Waterski-Rebel]

I tow with my factory cover. I ran extra line under the boat, to make sure everything is nice and tight.

[onevalkyrie]

I tow with my factory cover. I ran extra line under the boat, to make sure everything is nice and tight.
Do you have any trouble with the cover pulling down into the bow of the boat?

[onevalkyrie]

22Ve, but came with only a single pole support in the main cabin.

Are you saying that your Rankin cover came with a pole, because their claim to fame is supposed to be that you don't need any poles? Also when you say that it pulls down a little bit do the hooks hold the sides below the RR or does it pull up above the RR? Also thanks for putting up with all the questions.

[chpthril]

Are you saying that your Rankin cover came with a pole, because their claim to fame is supposed to be that you don't need any poles? Also when you say that it pulls down a little bit do the hooks hold the sides below the RR or does it pull up above the RR? Also thanks for putting up with all the questions.

Sorry for the further confusion, I should have stated in my OP that I have the factory cover with the factory support pole and sling. I just assumed you were asking who tows with the factory cover and do they have problems.

[onevalkyrie]

Sorry for the further confusion, I should have stated in my OP that I have the factory cover with the factory support pole and sling. I just assumed you were asking who tows with the factory cover and do they have problems.

Thanks for the response, that is what I did over Labor Day is use the sling and pole but I did not have as good a result as you do. The cover still "sucked" way down into the bow and it actually seems as if the boat pulls harder with the cover on than off and it pulls way up over the RR until you stop.

[juniors]

I really recomend the Rankin its easy to put on when the boats on the trailer and it is espically easy when your covering your boat when its in the water. The "clips" do hook onto the rubrail and pull the cover really tight, I have had 4 inches of snow on mine and no problems, and have towed at 70 with a headwind still no problem. It does use a strap system to tie in back, the only modification that I would recommend is that you have a shop make cutouts for the boat cleats hope this helps

[jake's02-22i]

that is really a nice looking cover next time we need a new cover for the boat we will get one of those. would love to travel with the cover on. (just got one from tige because first one ripped because of rain in it, and wind in our back yard, cost a lot)

[Duncan]

So is the general consensus that it would be wise to upgrade to a Rankin cover for an additional $150 for an 09 RZ2?

[chpthril]

So is the general consensus that it would be wise to upgrade to a Rankin cover for an additional $150 for an 09 RZ2?

Depends on what tower you go with, dont know if they got the pattern for the AlphaZ yet.

[onevalkyrie]

I really recomend the Rankin its easy to put on when the boats on the trailer and it is espically easy when your covering your boat when its in the water. The "clips" do hook onto the rubrail and pull the cover really tight, I have had 4 inches of snow on mine and no problems, and have towed at 70 with a headwind still no problem. It does use a strap system to tie in back, the only modification that I would recommend is that you have a shop make cutouts for the boat cleats hope this helps

Juniors thanks a lot for the response and especially the pics. I have definitely decided this is going to be my winter purchase. I am going to ask if they can make the little "windows" with the leather liner like on the factory cover for the cleats. With all the attention to detail I can't believe they don't do this to begin with. I'm glad you pointed that out or I would have been disappointed when I got it out of the box. Thanks again!!:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[onevalkyrie]

So is the general consensus that it would be wise to upgrade to a Rankin cover for an additional $150 for an 09 RZ2?

As an RZ 4 owner, had I known the difference between the two I would have for certain sure been willing to pay a $150.00 upgrade, especially since I'm going to pay full price for one after already purchasing the factory cover.

[onevalkyrie]

Depends on what tower you go with, dont know if they got the pattern for the AlphaZ yet.

chpthril, I almost fell out of my chair when I saw your new Avatar. That is HILARIOUS !!!!! Oh and I almost forgot, Paul at Rankin said that they do have the pattern for the new tower.

[chpthril]

I tow with factory bow and cockpit cover and so far so good. Of course it does not give full coverage like a Rankin or other full covers but gets the job done for short and long hauls it has done ok. I would not leave it in the weater for any length of time with this top but that is what the barn is for. Sor far for last couple of seasons it has handled numerous 600+ miles trips and is holding out well. Only issue is due to were it is in the barn The wife is always mad because I nail he flower bed get it out.

So you're saying your boat has a 2 piece snap-down cover, covering the bow and cockpit and not a 1 piece cover? If so, this was not a factory option on 07 20V tiges, and must be a dealer done custom cover. I'd be curious to see a pic of it!

[chpthril]

chpthril, I almost fell out of my chair when I saw your new Avatar. That is HILARIOUS !!!!! Oh and I almost forgot, Paul at Rankin said that they do have the pattern for the new tower.

Not surprised, Rankin seems like a top-notch company that is on top of the game. :ro:

[Duncan]

Rankin quoted an extra $100 for flip open cutouts for all four factory pop up cleats on an 09 RZ2.

Two tone fabric is an option (uncertain as to cost) but, for me, they do not have a match for Tige "sublime".

Now to figure out a cover for the tower and speakers to make all that hardware a little less conspicuous while sitting on a lift.

[Carter13]

My 06 22V that I used to own had a Rankin that came with it from the dealership. The cover was great when the boat was not in tow. When in tow the cover scratched the sh$t out of the gel coat on the outside of the boat. I always wiped down the boat really good before towing so that there was no sand or dust on it but it did not matter.
The Rankin cover also rubbed the silver flake off of the top of the windshield frame to bare metal. This pissed me off the most because I couldn't figure out how to repair it and it looked sh$tty.
I don't think there is a cover that won't at least rub scratches in the gel coat when you are running 50+ down the road.