Issues to consider first...

How will your cover be used?  What is your cover's main purpose?  

Will you be storing your boat inside or outside?  
When storing your boat outside, Sunbrella®, Aqualon Edge Soft®, or our new WeatherMAX® is recommended.  They are UV resistant material and will protect your boat from the damaging rays of the sun.  These covers will last significantly longer than non-UV protective fabrics.  

Will you be traveling with your boat?  
We have two great solutions.  Ordering a Sunbrella® or WeatherMAX® cover with a quilted lining is one option; and our Aqualon Edge Soft® material with its bonded soft warp lining is the other. The extra lining will add a layer of protection for your boat from unforeseen objects that may hit your shell while traveling. 

When choosing between a Full Zipper or Strap & Buckle covers for fours and eights, here are some things to consider:  
When traveling, a Full Zip cover is ideal because the whole boat is completely enclosed and every part of the shell is covered and protected.  It protects against elements such as road salt and diesel fuel on long trips.  The Full Zip cover is also good for end of the year storage so that the boat can be cocooned and safe. Strap & Buckle covers are great for storage purposes either in boat houses or on racks outside.  They are also great for daily use because of the ability to put on while the riggers are still on the boat.  The Strap and Buckle boat cover covers the hull of the boat and comes up around the gunwales.  The cockpit and deck is partially exposed. When traveling with a Strap and Buckle cover, there is a chance debris from the road could come up and hit the cockpit and deck.