Boat Cover Tie Downs:
what's holding your boat cover on?

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    Highlights:

  • Boat cover tie downs for trailers and storage
  • Tie downs to keep boat covers attached to the boat
  • Other systems
  • Buy boat cover tie downs!
  • Have a question? Ask us at the bottom of the page!

Boat Cover tie downs for trailers and storage


Keeping your boat cover securely attached to your trailer for storage or transport can be achieved in several different ways:

  • Bungee Cords (storage only)
  • Rope
  • Quick release webbing straps
  • Rope ratchet devices

Bungee cord boat cover tie downs


Bungee cords/shock cords, sometimes spelled (bungie cords), are favored by many boaters for their ease of use. The biggest complaint you'll hear is that they don't hold up in the sun. As they degrade, they weaken and stretch. My concern is a safety issue that not everyone considers: If the cord slips out of your hand when you have it stretched tight, it can pop you in the eye so be very careful!

Your average shock cord is usually a nylon-covered synthetic elastic core. Since nylon just doesn’t hold up well in the sun, it makes sense to have an adjustable hook end and one where the bungee can be easily replaced.

A better choice is the polyester-covered bungee since polyester holds up better in the sun. Solcor® is a favorite of ours, but is difficult to get in the US. It has a solid rubber core and a UV-treated polyester cover. The hook ends can be adjusted and used again on future replacement cords. 

We spotted this lifetime warranty bungee that we like and believe it will serve you well! 

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Rope for boat cover tie downs


Rope tie downs are frequently used by boaters, especially when the boat is being towed, so it makes sense to buy rope that is going to hold up year after year. Polyester is the longest lasting, toughest rope. It will outlast nylon and polypropylene. Our favorite is Neobraid. This braid will take years of sun and abuse without giving up. It will not kink, twist, or fray, and it also resists mold, oil, and stains.  For your average boat application, use either a #6 = 3/16” or a #8 = 1/4”.

NeobraidNeobraid

My favorite boat cover tie down knot
Easy to cinch tight!


Boat Cover Tie Down Knot

Webbing straps as boat cover tie downs


Boat Straps made with 1” webbing coupled with quick release buckles are easy to use and are a personal favorite. We always supply this type of tie down when we make custom covers. They are even better if they are completely removable from the boat cover. It makes life so much easier when they don't catch on the boat while handling your cover.

So what type of webbing should it be?

Here is a list of webbing materials commonly used for boat tie downs beginning with the longest-lasting. It is exceptionally hard, if not impossible, to find the polyester straps online. If you want them, you would need to order them from us or another custom shop.

  • Polyester
  • Nylon
  • Polypropylene

Keep an eye on your straps as they age and replace them when they begin to show wear.

Heavy Duty Polyester Webbing BlackHeavy Duty Polyester Webbing Black
Heavy Duty Polyester Webbing WhiteHeavy Duty Polyester Webbing White

Premium quick release boat cover Tie Down straps


What makes them different from any other strap on the web?

100% Heavy Duty Polyester

Lasts longer than any other strap out there! Guaranteed!


Our Heavy Duty Polyester Webbing Tie Down Straps come in 6, 8, 10, and 12 foot lengths.  Sewn with Lifetime Thread to ensure longevity, these strong and durable straps have 4500 lb breaking strength and are weather and UV resistant. The Delrin Quick Release Buckles have 250 lb breaking strength. Straps are sold in packs of 2.

Quick Release Boat Cover Tie Down StrapBoat Cover Tie Down Straps

Need a different length?  No problem, since they are custom made, just send me an email and we'll discuss it. 


DIY Straps


If you prefer, you can make your own tie down straps. Here is a list of the supplies you will need:

Heavy Duty Polyester WebbingHeavy Duty Polyester Webbing
HD Quick Release BuckleHeavy Duty Quick Release Buckle
Classic Cam Buckles 25 mmClassic Cam Buckles 25 mm
92 Polyester Thread92 Polyester Thread 8 oz Available in Black and White
138 Polyester Thread138 Polyester Thread 1 lb Available in Black and White
Solarfix Lifetime ThreadSolarfix PTFE Lifetime Thread
Thread ConeholderThread Coneholder

Boat Cover tie downs sewn into the hem


Boat covers have to be cinched in some fashion to the boat itself. There are multiple ways to do this. One is to have rope sewn into the hem of the cover and tie it to itself. If you have a rope-style cinch system on your boat cover, use the same type of knot pictured above for cinching the cover to the boat.

For an even more secure cinch, a second option is to try a rope lock tie down such as the Carolina Rope Ratchet®. When you pull this rope lock tight it won't slip, so you can continue to tighten it and then press a button to release it. We like these because they make life easier and can be pulled super-tight.

Rope RatchetRope Ratchet

A third way to cinch your cover to the boat is with webbing in the hem along with the use of a webbing ratchet such as this Pro-Grip® ratchet. If you use webbing and a ratchet to secure your boat cover, it should have it's own little storage boot or another creative way to protect the paint on your boat from the metal ratchet. They are clunky and can damage your boat without protection.

Pro-Grip Ratchet

Other boat tie down systems


Large suction cups are another way boat covers can be held in place. I am not a fan of boat suction cups. I have found them to be unreliable and feel that they can actually cause damage to the hull.

Boat Cover Suction Cup

On boats that need additional tie downs while in the water, I've seen boaters attach 2 liter soda bottles filled with sand or water to the webbing tie down straps which adds weight to the cover. This can be effective, but the appearance is obviously less than elegant.

That's completes our run down of boat cover tie down systems. We hope that with this information, you will now be able to choose the system that's right for you!


Do You Have a Question You Would Like to Ask About Boat Cover Tie Downs?

We'd like to help you find a solution! You just might be able to help someone else trying to solve the same problem. Please include your email address, I may choose to contact you directly with an answer.

What Questions Have Other Visitors Asked?

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

Need replacement separating zippers for the clear enclosure ‘09 330 Searay Sundancer  
The zippers for my clear enclosure have ripped on the track that is permanent on the boat from the tower down to the side Do I need an entire new zipper …

Hem pulling apart from cover 
My tiedown buckle straps have pulled apart from the hem seam on my canopy cover. Is there a way to have these resewn back on? And who and where can I have …

Tie down pontoon boat cover 
Looking for a solution for tying down the pontoon boat cover while storing on the water. Hi Jan, Your best solution is to install eye straps or lashing …

do the straps on a pontoon cover go under boat or attach to sides? 
Trying to decide on which cover to get for 24 ft pontoon

How can I tie down a boat cover by attaching it to the boat when it is on a boat lift? Can't attach the cover to the lift. I can't run the cover straps under the boat..  
The boat has to be able to float up off of the lift when the water level rises (dock lines are also attached so it can't float away)

Can we replace boat cover cinch cord with bungee cord? 
Is there an easier way to cover the boat at the dock without having to mess with pulling the ropes to tighten?

Alternate boat cover tie downs needed 
I have a 20 ft Key West with a boat cover. I would like to use this cover on the boat when it is in the boat slip-normal tie downs will not work-nothing …

Nylon web loops breaking on cover. 
I have web nylon loops on my boat cover that have deteriorated and split. It has a stretch cord fastening system. What are some alternatives to replace/ …

Second knot on your boat cover tie down photos ? 
Can you provide more info on the second loop knot that you show on your series of photos ? Can you be more specific as to what more information you …

I'm hearing the cover straps can cause abrasion to the hull, going down the road? 
Try to keep diesel exhaust off the boat's interior after driving to our destination. Yes, boat cover tie downs can be very abrasive the hull of your …

BOAT COVER WHILE ON LIFT AT DOCK  
WHAT TYPE OF BOAT COVER TIE DOWNS ARE USED FOR A BOAT ON LIFT APPLICATIONb Hi Fred, The easiest boat cover tie down for a boat on a lift …

how to relace the sinch cord on a boat cover 
I need to replace the cinch cord in my boat cover, is there an easy way to do this. If your existing cord isn't rotten, tie the new cord onto the …

Z hooks for web straps 
Right now I am using the one inch web straps with buckles. I take them off each time and throw them in a bucket and when I put the cover back on I have …

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