Why You Should Use a Boat Engine Cover

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Friday, January 18th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Just as you should cover your boat when it’s not in use, the same applies to your boat engine and its casing. In many ways, a good boat engine cover is even more important, as the machinery of the marine motor can so easily be damaged by road debris, water, moisture or UV rays.Basic Protection For Your Marine Engine

Road debris caught in a boat engine while it is being trailered can cause major repair bills. UV rays beat down on an engine casing, eventually causing cracking. Water must be kept out of the engine’s intake valves. The right boat engine cover will eliminate these problems and extend the life of an engine.

There are several types of outboard engine covers to choose from, depending on where you keep your boat. In all cases, the size and length of your boat engine cover should match snugly to the engine. Take measurements before buying.

A complete boat engine cover envelopes the engine from the top of the casing to the bottom of the propeller. This is the best cover to use for trailering a boat, to keep pebbles, road trash or any foreign objects from getting into the engine or chipping any of the casing. This is also a nice cover for dry storage, to keep out the maximum amount of dust.

Boat Engine Cover

A half boat engine cover protects just the top part of an outboard engine. This is a practical choice for a boat that stays moored in the water and does not need protection for the propeller and shaft. It will keep the intake valves dry and block UV rays.

An engine carrying case is a soft, padded bag for transporting a small outboard motor. Some are as small as the engine and leave an opening for the propeller to stick out. Others are shaped to hold the propeller as well. If the engine and case are stored under shelter, UV- resistance is not important for this kind of boat engine cover.

Add-Ons

For high-altitude boaters, starting the engine on a cold day can be a challenge. However, for customers like the Canadian Navy and the US Coast Guard, heated boat engine covers ensure rapid starting. A few manufacturers offer these space-age accouterments to the public. Plugs are available in different voltages and will keep an engine nice and warm, whether moored in the water or stored on land.

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