Choosing the Right Material for Your Dinghy Cover
There are plenty of high-tech material names in the dinghy covers market, and it can be hard to know what’s what. We’d rather keep things simple and tell you what each material actually is, what it does, and which one suits your needs.
We offer four material options across our cover range. All are sourced and purchased in the UK, and every cover comes with a 5 year guarantee as standard.
Double Coated PVC Polyester (460 GSM)
Our standard dinghy cover material. This is a 460 GSM double coated PVC polyester with a higher tear strength than most PVC covers on the market. It has a smooth, wipe-clean finish that makes it easy to keep in good condition, and with a bit of basic care it will give your boat many years of reliable protection.
- 460 GSM double coated PVC polyester
- Higher tear strength than standard dinghy cover PVC
- Smooth wipe-clean finish
- Colours: grey or blue
- 5 year guarantee
PU Coated Nylon (230 GSM)
A lightweight, durable nylon with a polyurethane finish, used for our dinghy undercovers. Undercovers sit beneath your main top cover to protect the hull and cockpit from scratches and dirt. The PU coating gives water resistance while keeping the weight down, making them easy to fit and store.
- 230 GSM PU coated nylon
- For dinghy undercovers only
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Colour: mid blue
PC Hybrid Polycotton (460 GSM)
This is the highest specification polycotton available in the marine trade, and it’s our preferred material for all-round boat protection. It’s not to be confused with cheaper imported alternatives.
What makes polycotton special is its breathability. The cotton fibres in the hybrid blend swell when they get wet, making the fabric more waterproof. As the cover dries, those fibres shrink again, allowing any trapped moisture to evaporate away from the boat. This means you can put your boat away wet and it will dry out with the cover on. That’s something PVC and polyester covers simply can’t do.
Polycotton is also less abrasive than woven polyester fabrics, which makes it the best option for protecting gelcoat, varnish, and paintwork. It’s the only sure guard against osmosis and varnish degradation caused by trapped moisture.
Our PC Hybrid is now manufactured for us in the UK, with an extra layer of UV treatment. No one else can offer a fully British-made polycotton dinghy cover. And because 50% of the fabric is biodegradable, it’s a better choice for the environment too. When the webbing, buckles, Velcro and stitching eventually wear out, half the fabric will break down naturally.
- 460 GSM PC Hybrid polycotton
- Breathable: dries out trapped moisture naturally
- Less abrasive than woven polyester
- Protects against osmosis and varnish degradation
- Made in the UK with additional UV treatment
- 50% biodegradable fabric
- 5 year guarantee
Solacryl Canvas (320 GSM)
A lightweight solution-dyed woven polyester in the same category as brands like Weathermax, Hydralite and HydroTough. These fabrics don’t breathe in the way polycotton does, because they’re made from a single fibre polyester construction. However, they are exceptionally resistant to UV damage and strong sunlight.
In fact, the fabric itself will outlast the webbing, buckles, Velcro and stitching that holds the cover together. If your boat lives outdoors in strong sun for much of the year, Solacryl is well worth considering.
- 320 GSM solution-dyed woven polyester
- Excellent UV and sunlight resistance
- Good range of colours available (contact us for details)
- 5 year guarantee
Build Quality and Specification
Sail Register has been manufacturing covers since 1966. Every cover is made at our own sail loft in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, using materials that are sourced and purchased in the UK. We cover all dinghy classes in our standard range, and we offer a bespoke service for boats that aren’t listed or for larger craft.
All covers come with a 5 year guarantee as standard. If you’re not sure which material is right for your boat, give us a ring on 01673 849893 and we’re happy to talk you through the options.
Dinghy
Covers
5 Year Guarantee
Made in the UK
Catamaran
Covers
5 Year Guarantee
Made in the UK
