Comparison needed, Aurora vs Deans cover ?

[Chris4pt3]

I am needing a trailerable boat cover after last trip. I cleaned the boat spotless about a month before and one fishing tourney on a wet freeway took care of that .
I tow my Sabre with a Chevy S10, so visibilty out the back is slim as it is. I’m thinking an Aurora with the built in motor cover will give me zero visibilty out back with my rear view mirror, I know it will to be honest.
My question, is the Dean’s cover just as good of quality, and will it strap down tight like a Aurora, and have all the qualities of an Aurora cover? Scratching the gelcoat is a big concern.Thanks for any advise comparing to two.

Chris

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2005 Sabre, 150 XR6, Minn Kota Fortrex with Lowrance electronics

 

[Alabama Chris]

I have a Dean’s cover and like it. I really like the seperate motor cover. I use to tow with a Toyota Tacoma and didn’t have any real problems when towing with the cover though you will use your side mirrors more.

As far as scratches, I did find some on my boat after coming back from the OI with the cover on. Not real bad, but they are there. I don’t know if you could completely eliminate them unless you ran a sheet of saran rap down each side as others have mentioned. As sick as I was to see the scratches from the cover, I wasn’t near as sick about those after I climbed under my boat to wash it after the OI. When I beached by boat for the weigh-in, I put about 30, 3′ scratches down the bottom. I about threw up when I saw them as there wasn’t the first nick before I left for the trip. Completely my fault as I saw what was on the bank, just didn’t realize it would eat the boat up that bad.

Anyway, don’t think you could go wrong with either cover. Lt me know if you need a few pictures of the Dean’s cover installed on a Sabre.

[Chris4pt3]

Ya thanks Chris, a few pics would be great. Chris4pt3@hotmail dot com BCB does the Aurora and Deans have the same kind of material on the underside to protect from scratches?

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2005 Sabre, 150 XR6, Minn Kota Fortrex with Lowrance electronics

[basschaser]

I have the Deans but I wish I would’ve bought the Aurora. Have Aurora make the cover without covering the motor, they can do that too.

I am working with a fella right now to start making some custom covers and I think if it all pans out he will take good points from all of them and make a really nice cover. Unfortunately, at this point I think he is just going to sell locally.

I have owned an Aurora cover and it can be a pain because it is so heavy and it isn’t like I dislike the Deans the Aurora just protects the finish better.

You can polish the skuffs out but it is a pain.

Judd Lasiter

[RGDoherty]

Where is locally, and would he ship if somebody ordered one?

Rob

[Alabama Chris]

Chris,

Pics have been sent.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Chris,

I’ve run both covers and I perfer the Dean’s. The Aurora with the motor cover included is hard to get where it doesn’t flap while running down the road. Not much of a problem during the day, but at night with someone behind you, it looks like a flashing strobe light when the cover flaps.

The Dean’s is also lighter and easier to put on and take off by yourself.

[Bass Cat Boats]

The Deans cover is the easier cover as all have said. People do seem to prefer this style mostly becasue it is easier to install and handle.

The Aurora cover is a preferred towing cover if you understand how to install it and it does not scratch the boat nearly as much, like Chris has mentioned.

If you don’t pull much, try a Deans. If you do, then try an Aurora.

It is also a good idea to check on a local cover builder for a custom cover locally. Though they can also be pricey.

BCB

[Bass Cat Boats]

I have an Aurora cover the was originally made to fit my prior boat which was a PII. Like Scott I could never totally keep it from flapping. But when I got my new boat, a PIV, I just had Aurora modify the cover to fit it since the color worked. When I went up to pick it up at their place, one of the guys that worked there took it out and really showed how to cinch and tighten things down around the motor and I found out I had been doing it wrong all along. Now I follow his way and I really don’t have that problem anymore.

He also showed me some things that they can do to really help speed and ease installing the cover. Things like mounting stainless rings, backed by a fender washer if on the fiberglass fenders, in places on the trailer then using stainless clips on the straps. I still do mine the hard way with the pastic buckles because I can’t bring myself to drill that many conspicuous holes in the trailer, but it was an intriguing idea. Another thing was to tilt the motor up a few inches, install the cover tight, then tilt the motor down drawing the whole thing up tight as a drum. I half expected it to burst a seam when he did it the first time but for near 2 years now that I’ve been doing it everythings still as solid as when I picked it up. The Aurora’s are well worth every penny they cost.

[Bass Cat Boats]

djk3030 is right on the isntlal (install) being the most important factor on the Aurora, and you need to cinch the Aurora cover down tightly with the trim on the motor as he suggests.

First: Cinch Strap around boat, with slip buckle.

Second: Apply straps to secure.

Third: Secure motor strap tightly to cavitation plate and trim down last few inches.

Fourth: Wrap motor rope cover around motor cowling out side and tie.

The problem is as djk3030 expressed on Aurora covers.

And all covers need to be secured, and also run a seat or pro pole to tighten the top down when towing.

A tight cover adds up to 1.5 MPG to your towing.

BCB

[Chris4pt3]

All the information is awesome. Makes the decision tough though. Do most people tow with the cover on all the time? I have no problem not using the cover if I’m going somewhere close on a nice sunny day. If I’m leaving for a tourny and its raining like last weekend, then I’ll definetly use it.

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2005 Sabre, 150 XR6, Minn Kota Fortrex with Lowrance electronics

[1stinLA]

I use the Aurora cover and pull mine with the cover most of the time as I am pulling anywhere from 200-400 miles most of the time, and have not had any major issues with the cover though as stated before you must cinch it down tight and also I took the buckles off and ran the staps thru some short pieces of hose so that the straps would not get too worn where they contact the trailer.

[cgp]

When installed right the Aurora is great.
I’ve got one for my p4.
Only use when its raining on the way to lake or overnight to keep off dew.
cg

[PhilAddison]

i’ve had several aurora covers throughout the years and they are probably built a little better for the long haul (years of use). since i don’t use mine much for trailering, they are pretty heavy for overnight covering.

[basschaser]

Rob,

Locally is DFW area. To be a full custom cover he really wants to take his own measurements. I am working with him on this part but we will see how that goes. He is suppose to be bringing me some samples of fabric today or tomorrow.

Email me at basschaser1@verizon.net and I will keep you posted. First thing is getting all the plans done and then letting him get one that we can take some pictures of.

A lot of good info above. I also only cover the boat when raining or overnite trips.

Judd

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